One hears so many people saying they want a village, they wish they had a village, etc. But our mainstream society has not conditioned us to really know what the “village” really means! I would even go so far as to say that our society has actually conditioned us to forget what the village means. Let alone do most of us have any idea how to create it.
And yet, the village is the cornerstone of sustainable society.
Yesterday on my Facebook feed, I came across an Instagram reel so good that it actually motivated me to reactivate my Instagram account! Pretty drastic ha ha. (Thanks to Shanti from my antiracism community!)
It’s amazing how a really skillful communicator can say so much in just a little one- or two-minute reel.
May I present a new favorite person of mine on Instagram, Robina Khalid ( @smallthingsgrowing ).
In her first video that grabbed my attention, she says “having a village is not the same as having servants” — although in our dysfunctional capitalist culture many people equate it that way. “Having a village is not about being served; it’s about mutual service. But if it’s an effort-full way of life, it’s also one where a sense of belonging, security, and purpose mitigates the burden of that effort — and that makes life feel easier.” https://www.instagram.com/smallthingsgrowing/reel/DS2oHJYjR6-/?
In her second video I came across, she points out that “What we are missing without a ‘village’ is much more than just material help. Humans need other humans in order to build secure, resilient perspectives about their own lives! Exposure to each others’ lived realities normalizes and destigmatizes so much of the human experience.” https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSdahTyEloW/
Not on Instagram and don’t feel like making an Instagram account? Never fear, she has a Substack too! I’m going to go find that link for you right now.
OK, here’s her whole Linktree! And here is her Substack https://smallthingsgrowing.substack.com
A community-related article on her Substack that I’m bookmarking for myself to read later, and hope you enjoy also. https://smallthingsgrowing.substack.com/p/so-you-want-to-be-involved-in-radical “So you want to be involved in radical communities but you have young kids — What if you started by being radically in community instead?”
Often times we idealize village as being like-minded people in close proximity. But what I find more often is that the common concerns create the like-mindedness. Working together creates the village.
Also, there are certain things that will probably never go backwards. Many of us will probably always be living very geographically distant from many of our loved ones. There’s also a lot more moving around and there used to be. And so, for many if not most of us, online community and online village will continue to be a necessary part of the mix.
A core feature of life is impermanence, as the Buddhists often remind us. I sometimes feel that most keenly in the impermanence of social community.
Living with impermanence is part of building a personal resilience that in turn creates our village and collective resilience.
The New Year’s Eve Dharma talk today, from Brother Phap Hu of Plum Village, Was very comforting and energizing, and encouraging as in literally increasing my courage, regarding being at peace with impermanence. The two-hour talk and practice was full of gems and is well worth the watch. I will almost certainly rewatch it. You can check it out here https://youtu.be/VLMYfEltQUU?si=S9Z_HuFjb0tQR6nM , and also see lots of other good content on the Plum Village channel.
I have found the Plum Village content very refreshing and practical, extremely helpful to both my activism and my overall enjoyment of life. For those of you not familiar with it, the Plum Village tradition was founded by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh.
And, to round out the village and community theme, I absolutely must share with you this beautiful piece by Desireé B Stephens, on the Kwanzaa principle known as Ujamaa (cooperative economics). It’s part of her excellent series on the Kwanzaa principles. https://desireebstephens.substack.com/p/day-four-of-kwanzaa-ujamaa-cooperative
In closing, on a personal note, I am very fortunate to know the number of people who actually really do know what village is about, and really create and support the village.
And to all of you reading this, I thank you for being here in my virtual village. Happy New Year’s Eve, and Happy New Year!