The recognition that shared aspiration and collective longing for something greater than themselves bonds communities more powerfully than shared ideology or explicit agreement.
Rabia's spiritual longing—her yearning toward the Divine—was the driving force of her devotion. She taught that this very longing is itself the path. For intentional communities, this suggests that shared longing is more binding than shared beliefs. Communities form around explicit agreements and value statements, yet these often feel static. But when members are unified by genuine longing—for authentic connection, for justice, for creativity, for healing—something more vital emerges. This longing creates natural cohesion because it's generative rather than defensive. It's about moving toward something rather than against something. Practically, this means creating regular spaces where members articulate what they're longing for, individually and collectively. It means allowing the community's purpose to evolve as collective longing evolves. It means celebrating the very yearning itself as spiritual practice. Rabia never claimed to have arrived at final spiritual truth; her power lay in her relentless, honest longing. Communities that embrace this—where reaching toward something together matters more than having arrived—create resilience and meaning that survive disagreement and difficulty. The longing itself becomes what holds people.
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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