(Photo above by Martha Manzanares)
The more isolated we feel, the bigger our problems seem. This is why clinical mental health counselor, Dan Bates, cites the following as major anxiety producers: 1) disconnection from one’s local community, 2) inactivity and 3) social isolation.
Some anxiety reducers, on the other hand are: 1) getting plugged in with your local community, 2) staying connected with friends and building a support network over time by being a support to others.
A critical component of Buddhist practice since the beginning is the sanga or Buddhist community. Shakyamuni Buddha, or Siddhartha Gautama as he is sometimes known, was once asked by his close disciple Ananda:
“It seems to me that by having good friends … one has already halfway attained the Buddha way. Is this way of thinking correct?” Shakyamuni responds: “Ananda, this way of thinking is not correct. Having good friends is not half the Buddha way but all the Buddha way.”
Bhikkhu Bodhi, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya (Boston: Wisdom Publishing, 2000), “Maggasamyutta” [2 (2) Half the Holy Life], p. 1524
Orlando Bloom explains how staying connected to the Buddhability community releases his stress and anxiousness. Watch the full episode below.
When we are connected with others, we also become aware of how our breakthroughs can inspire others and we find confidence and a deeper sense of motivation. If you’d like to connect to a Buddhability community in your area, please reach out to us!