nvolves examining the life we lead without the filters of ego, wealth, fame, knowledge, and position. It refers to the way we are with one another; being versus having. Next is “surrender,” whic“He wear no shoeshine he got toe-jam football….He got monkey finger… he shoot coca-cola…He say "I know you, you know me…."

Paul McCartney just turned 64 and he probably deserves my sincere apology for the lead-in but sometimes when I think about “community” the Beatles’ “Come Together” plays in my brain.

To some “community” is a relatively large geographical location: the town or village where we live. To others it’s a much smaller place where we live with others—perhaps a nursing home, assisted living site or a monastery. Regardless, community has to do with how we relate to those around us. There are five elements that—taken from the Buddhist definition of “sanga”—make sense to me as they relate to any community.

First is “commitment.” In this sense it involves examining the life we lead without the filters of ego, wealth, fame, knowledge, and position. It refers to the way we are with one another; being versus having. Next is “surrender,” which

pology for the lead-in but sometimes when I think about “community” the Beatles’ “Come Together” plays in my brain.

To some “community” is a relatively large geographical location: the town or village where we live. To others it’s a much smaller place where we live with others—perhaps a nursing home, assisted living site or a monastery. Regardless, community has to do with how we relate to those around us. There are five elements that—taken from the Buddhist definition of “sanga”—make sense to me as they relate to any community.

First is “commitment.” In this sense it involves examining the life we lead without the filters of ego, wealth, fame, knowledge, and position. It refers to the way we are with one another; being versus having. Next is “surrender,” whic

r village where we live. To others it’s a much smaller place where we live with others—perhaps a nursing home, assisted living site or a monastery. Regardless, community has to do with how we relate to those around us. There are five elements that—taken from the Buddhist definition of “sanga”—make sense to me as they relate to any community.

First is “commitment.” In this sense it involves examining the life we lead without the filters of ego, wealth, fame, knowledge, and position. It refers to the way we are with one another; being versus having. Next is “surrender,” whic

ate to those around us. There are five elements that—taken from the Buddhist definition of “sanga”—make sense to me as they relate to any community.

First is “commitment.” In this sense it involves examining the life we lead without the filters of ego, wealth, fame, knowledge, and position. It refers to the way we are with one another; being versus having. Next is “surrender,” whic

nvolves examining the life we lead without the filters of ego, wealth, fame, knowledge, and position. It refers to the way we are with one another; being versus having. Next is “surrender,” which in this context has to do with embracing the truth about every day life. When we surrender in this way we spend less energy denying when things are not going so well while at the same time becoming more grateful and open to celebration of “the good stuff” of life. In fact, we are more open to all of it -- the unknown.

The third idea on my list is “serving.” This is the concept that encourages us to do what needs to be done right now and not leave any traces. It allows me to set aside my likes and dislikes and to do the dishes or pick up trash beside the road with care. In this frame of mind, it’s not ‘unfair’ – it just is. Next is acceptance and harmony: an effort to accept all folks as they are and try to build trust with another human -- especially the ones who