I dreamed about a culture of belonging. I still dream that dream. I contemplate what our lives would be like if we knew how to cultivate awareness, to live mindfully, peacefully; if we learned habits of being that would bring us closer together, that would help us build beloved community.
bell hooks
Welcome to Day Five of Build a Life of Belonging
Over a century ago, the renowned sociologist Émile Durkheim coined the term “collective effervescence” to describe the heightened experience of connection and belonging that results from communal activities and rituals. Picture for a moment thousands of people cheering at a sporting event or singing the chorus together in a packed concert hall. When we dance or sing together, walk in a parade, or participate in an important ceremony — the list goes on — we open the door to this possibility of collective effervescence. What separates us is eclipsed by what unites us, enhancing our emotional connection to one another, our sense of shared purpose, and our ability to experience the sacred or transcendent. It turns out that collective effervescence is not limited to rare, special occasions but can also be found in the small moments of everyday life — from spending time in a cafe to taking a class to standing in line together. This suggests that tapping into belonging is partly a shift in perspective, something you can look for as you go through your day.
Wherever you find them, experiences of collective effervescence not only mitigate loneliness and isolation, they compel and enable us to act on one another’s behalf. Br. David Steindl-Rast explains that in these kinds of peak experiences, the heart is awakened, and he says of himself, “in the measure in which my heart wakes up, I hear the challenge to rise to my responsibility.” So seek out those moments when your heart awakens to all the ways you belong, and savor them, yes — but remember to ask yourself what’s now yours to do, what’s your unique contribution to building a world in which everyone belongs.
Today’s Practice: Create Micro Moments of Collective Effervescence
Set the stage for today’s practice by pondering the great mystery of our connection to one another and all things across time, as inspired by the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. Set to Marie Howe’s reading of her piece, The Singularity, this stunning short film by SALT Project and Maria Popova at The Marginalian ponders what it was like before “I” or “we” or “them.”
Step One: Remember
Bring to mind a time in your life when you experienced something akin to the collective effervescence described above. Here are some memory prompts: concerts, sporting events, demonstrations, religious and life celebrations, dancing, singing, working for a cause, family gatherings. Close your eyes and let yourself recall and savor the details of this one memory. When you’re ready, list five words that capture how you felt in body, mind, or heart.
Step Two: Be on the Lookout
As you plan and go through your day, look for any opportunities to experience or create micro moments of collective effervescence that might evoke similar emotions to those you just listed.
- Standing in the grocery store checkout line? Look for the humanity in the face of each person around you.
- Headed into a full work day? Host an impromptu five-minute break that brings people together for a quick hello and a moment of joy.
- Staying at home? Put on your favorite music, and imagine the thousands of others around the world who have listened to this same song and been moved by this same beauty.
However you do it, be intentional about finding concrete ways to create micro moments of collective effervescence.
Step Three: Reflect
- Consider how creating micro moments of collective effervescence shaped your experience of the day. What felt different? What surprised you? Were there moments of increased connection or joy?
- When you intentionally notice and create moments of belonging throughout your day, in what ways does it inspire or compel you to act on behalf of belonging for all?
The Pathway Is Over, but Our Need for Belonging Is Not
In her book The Amen Effect, Rabbi Sharon Brous writes that we must “put to rest an old story — loneliness, isolation, polarization, and extremism, broken politics, and ailing spirit — and in its place, lay the foundation for a new story.” As we come to the close of the Pathway, take a few minutes to look back through each day’s practice and complete the statement below. You might create a list, pick one thing to focus on, or write a short narrative. Consider writing this out and posting it in a visible place to remind, guide, and inspire you in the days ahead.
- “I want to help lay the foundation of a new story of belonging by…”
Scroll to the bottom of the page (or click here) to find the Community Conversation space where we invite you to share your reflections about today’s practice or the Pathway overall!
You may also record a video or audio response to our video invitation below.
Deepening Resource
Koolulam is a social musical initiative aimed at empowering communities and strengthening the fabric of society by convening people from “different backgrounds, cultures, faiths and geographies” to sing together. In the early days of the pandemic when loneliness and isolation were extreme, they invited people from around the globe to connect through music. The message is as moving and relevant today as it was in 2020. Enjoy this powerful example of connection and belonging.
Fix You – Coldplay | Across the Globe by Koolulam
Research Highlight
Dr. Shira Gabriel and her colleagues report: “Durkheim may have spoken of collective effervescence as being important due to its power to separate the sacred from the profane, but the current research suggests that collective effervescence may do more than that. It may take that which is most common and seemingly least special and elevate it to a level that brings meaning and connection to life. In other words, collective effervescence doesn’t separate the sacred from the profane, it turns the everyday profane into the meaningful and sacred.” Their study shows that even simple daily experiences that put us in proximity to other people can fulfill our need to belong and to feel that life is meaningful.
Shira Gabriel, Esha Naidu, Elaine Paravati, C. D. Morrison & Kristin Gainey (2019): Creating the sacred from the profane: Collective effervescence and everyday activities, The Journal of Positive Psychology.
Photo by Richard Hewat
Dear Grateful Team,
A big round of applause for a 5 day course on Build a Life Of Belonging!!!
I learned how important is to experience the sense to belong !!! And I remembered quite a few instances in which I did not belong. I was in the “Othering area”. I feel kind of sad, but at the same time I am feeling positive energy to move forward to sensing and experiencing belonging. Thank you to ALL of you.
And even more important is the creation of “Micro cosmos” as Brother David Steindl-Rast explained. Now, I feel a responsibility to apply this beneficial concept into my daily life. I will try to my best!!!
With deep care and gratitude.
Dear Community,
Thank you so much for being part of this 5-day Pathway with us. To all who have shared reflections here and all who are making their way through each day of the Pathway in their own way, a deep bow of gratitude from our whole team! Please feel free to continue to share your reflections; we’ll keep an eye out beyond this initial week. So grateful to be community with you.
This 5 days pathway has been truly inspirational journey. Listening Koolulam made me so emotional with tears in my eyes. Imagine we all start living with all belonging to humanity and live in harmony supporting, encouraging, guiding, loving each other. I guess journey starts with the self. I will certainly try to live by this code and on this path as much as possible. I love you all and wish everyone of you the best that life can provide.