Sangha and Yogic Practice

What does it mean to be part of a sangha, or community?

As a society, we’ve become inured to many things. The word inured is defined as ‘becoming accustomed to accepting something undesirable;” as the yogic path asks us to examine what we take for granted, I think it’s important to consider how we use our words. “Potty mouth” is considered acceptable in much of our daily lives, but it comes at a cost. When we speak carelessly, we become inured to the possibilities of the sacred – not a good thing at all! Centuries ago, the idea of damnation was a most terrible curse; in Orthodox Jewish communities, the Higher Power is written as G-d to show respect for the sacredness of the word. In our daily life, do we respect others with our language as they did in the past? What do we lose if the answer is ‘no’?

The word sangha comes from Sanskrit, which can be thought of as the Indian version of Latin or Hebrew — an ancient language with the power of centuries behind it. In the Buddhist tradition, sangha refers to one of the “three jewels – there’s the Buddha himself, the Dharma, or teachings, and Sangha, the association of like-minded people that studies together. Sangha means ‘assembly’ or ‘association,’ and traditionally the word has been used to refer to groups of ordained Buddhist monks and nuns. Of late, western yoga practitioners have begun to consider our needs for a spiritual community, and have thus borrowed the word sangha to refer to groups of people practicing together. When I teach yoga at the Cancer Support Community, I can feel the way our practice assists classmates; I appreciate the love and friendship that’s sprung up between fellow cancer warriors. I thus find the word sangha appropriate, as it describes a loving connection aided and abetted by our shared yoga practice.

You might take some time to think about the idea of your yoga class as a sangha and what that means Does everyone feel welcome, or is there some form of gate-keeping involved? If the latter, do you agree with the terms of this gate-keeping? For example, if the class costs money, are there opportunities for those who can’t afford to pay? Do you see a variety of skin colors and body sizes in your class? Does the form of asana practiced fit with your preferred form of yogic spirituality, if any? Do you leave the class feeling connected? Does the yoga you learn help you to carry forward in the rest of your life?

I believe that yoga is meant to create sangha for its practitioners, and I also think its important for each of us to consider how our practice creates or devalues sangha in the larger world. Yoga arose in India, a country with a long and rich history. Under British rule, the practice was ridiculed and suppressed. As it was introduced to Western society, it has often be explored in a way that excludes its origins, history, and cultural significance. It’s long past time to return a sense of the sacred to yogic philosophy and thought. Take a moment to think through your experience of sangha, and feel empowered to find a different fellowship if you’re not getting what you need – or commit to being an agent of change where you are.