A few of us spoke to a sense of being called when the Online Gatherings came together this weekend. In different ways and in differing circumstances, we talked about feeling an inner force pulling us in very clear and particular directions.

Which often happens when we meditate. As we settle into this embodied moment, our relationship with the basic nature becomes ever more direct and transparent. The innate clarity and sensitivity and communicativeness of our being become more and more available to us. That inner force, returning to the phrase used above, becomes more apparent, inviting us where it will – perhaps to adjusting one’s left knee or composing a long-delayed email or taking a stand in one’s local community.

None of which is necessarily easy. Sometimes easy, certainly. But on other occasions, that sense of call can be a bit frightening in some ways. Maybe we’re uneasy moving that left knee in the company of others or we’re uncertain how to fill the blank page of that email or we’re scared of the reaction that might follow our neighbourhood activism.

This is one of many places sangha comes in. The community of practitioners can receive our concerns understanding what’s actually happening: our true nature is encouraging us in ways that are difficult for our much more limited everyday sense of self. Sangha can receive our concerns understanding how challenging this dynamic can be – and also how freeing.

For in stepping through typical every day limitations, we are entering a much more open and spacious realm of being. A realm of possibility and wonder. A realm of mystery and magic and alignment. A realm that profoundly affects the world we share when it’s given the room of expression. Knowing this, sangha mates can empathetically encourage us to lift one foot off the ground and gently ease it in the direction of that deep, inner pull.