Wasl describes mystical union achieved through sustained longing and yearning; in community, shared longing for something greater creates profound belonging and collective purpose.
Wasl—union or connection—emerges not from passive coexistence but from active, continuous longing toward something transcendent. In Rabia's mysticism, this longing itself becomes the bridge to union. Applied to community: shared yearning for justice, beauty, healing, truth, or growth creates bonds stronger than circumstance. Communities built on common longing—not just common complaints—experience genuine belonging. This longing must be cultivated together: through ceremony, conversation, creative expression, and shared vision. Members who long together feel less alone; their individual yearnings weave into collective aspiration. This differs from toxic bonding around shared enemies; instead, wasl asks groups to identify what they're moving toward. A book club united by love of stories experiences wasl. A neighborhood watch driven only by fear experiences fragmentation. The difference is direction: toward something, versus away from something. What shared longing could unite your community in joyful 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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