Community

1. Individual in Community

The “Bhagavad Gita” is written by Sage Vyasa. Commonly called “the Gita”, it is written in a language of simile, metaphor, and allegory; interweaving the history of India with psychological and spiritual truths. In Sanskrit, Gita means “song”, and Bhagavad means “sharing the Divine”. The “Bhagavad Gita” is a story of seeing the self and world through a spiritual lens. The story is set in India with the main characters Arjuna(wisdom body, intellect) and Krishna(Soul). A large battle is is the setting between Arjuna and all his relatives(functions of the body and mind). The main teaching is developing awareness of the body for a spiritual orientation. This is a meditation and prayer book with pearls of wisdom strung through every page. The “Bhagavad Gita” is one of the most read books in the world. Development of the “individual” is the surface level theme of the book. Arjuna must battle everyone he knows, and the only companion he brought is Krishna(Soul grounded in Truth), and his bow & arrows(focused mind). Krishna and Arjuna ride in front of the opposing army in his chariot(the body), pulled by five horses(Sight, Smell, Hearing, Taste, Touch). The bulk of this classic is Krishna speaking to Arjuna about the true nature of his situation in life, the truth of his soul, and how to live a soul oriented life.

2. Interacting in Community

The community is a multiplication of the whole self. When interaction happens between another, there is a giving and a receiving. When giving, the extent that you have accessed truth will be transmitted. When receiving, the ability to connect with another's presence is determined by the extent that you opened to the present in each moment. These two actions of giving and receiving is an art, not needing perfection because it is simply your natural state when all the mental and emotional debris is cleared in that moment. A great resource for this clarity is the book “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. The Four agreements are:

Agreement 1: Be Impeccable With Your Word

Agreement 2: Don’t Take Anything Personally

Agreement 3: Don’t Make Assumptions

Agreement 4: Always Do Your Best

Each one of these agreements clears the excess thoughts and emotions; brings focus and purpose into the forefront; and reduces accumulated Karma. “The Four Agreements” is seen as a Toltec tradition teaching, yet is relevant for every person on earth to apply in daily life. These teaching will make giving and receiving in community more simple, and help you be a lighthouse of healthy boundaries and truth.

3. Growth of Communities

Many communities start well, yet the longevity of a group is determined by which stage it is in, and if it is creating more and more harmony or not. The book “Tribal Leadership” brings awareness to identifying where a group is at in terms of development and how to grow a community with practical steps. With a bit of awareness and practice, more and more communities will develop to grow stable tribes of health, harmony, and wealth in life through the concepts of “Tribal Leadership”

Here are the Mental Stages of Tribal Development described:

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