While Mirabai was rejected by her birth community, she found sangha—a fellowship of sincere seekers who valued truth over convention, offering belonging based on authenticity.
Sangha traditionally means spiritual community, but Mirabai's sangha was unusual: not the family that rejected her, not the temple hierarchy that condemned her, but the invisible fellowship of devotees who recognized her sincerity. This redefinition of community is crucial for those struggling with loneliness. We often assume belonging must come from proximity or obligation—family, workplace, geography. But true sangha is alignment: gathering with those who share your core values and commitments. Mirabai's loneliness in her birth community was resolved not by acceptance but by finding her true people. The paradox: sometimes we must leave false communities to find true ones. True sangha does not demand that we hide ourselves or conform; it invites us to be more fully ourselves. In our fragmented modern world, sangha may be smaller and more intentionally chosen than traditional communities, but it is no less real. Finding or creating sangha—whether online, in spiritual groups, artistic communities, or among scattered friends—is essential for transforming isolation into belonging.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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