Creating Sacred Community: The Wisdom of Contemplative Psychology

 By Melissa Moore, Ph.D.

We often don’t realize just how vital community is to our lives until it’s gone. In 2018, the spiritual community I had been part of for over 40 years imploded following a 'Me Too' scandal involving our spiritual leader. In the aftermath, I no longer hold any blame toward anyone for what transpired. In fact, I feel a profound sense of gratitude for this disruption. It served as a powerful intervention to awaken me from my own spiritual bypassing—the tendency to ignore uncomfortable truths I had overlooked despite my deep loyalty and engagement. Still, I feel deep grief over losing a lifelong community that had been a constant, binding, and sacred force in my life, and this is undeniable.

Now, more than ever, I understand that community is not just a social construct; it is a holy encounter of belonging—one that cannot be easily replicated or replaced.

Karuna Training, in contrast, has always placed community at its core, with the connections formed in a cohort model both vital and sacred. I often joke that the Karuna community is exceptional, and it’s true, but as the Executive Director, I also know that I’m responsible for ensuring it thrives. Even so, the Karuna community has proven to be a lifeline for me in the absence of my original spiritual community.

Creating a sacred community is about fostering an environment where individuals feel a deep, abiding sense of belonging. A strong community is rooted in shared values, practices, and opportunities for spiritual awakening. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and with the advent of Zoom, we’ve expanded our offerings beyond the basic and advanced curriculum to create even more opportunities for people to connect and grow together online.

While every community has its own unique flavor, shaped by cultural, religious, or spiritual influences, there are core components that consistently nourish a thriving, values-driven community. Karuna explicitly upholds these ten essential values, which I will outline below:

1. Shared Values and Beliefs
   Karuna is rooted in the teachings of Contemplative Psychology, originating from Naropa University and Chögyam Trungpa. At its core, we believe everyone possesses innate sanity, a birthright untouched by labels, projections, or diagnoses. Our work is focused on awakening this inherent sanity in ourselves and others.
   
2. Rituals and Practices
   While Karuna draws from the ancient rituals of Vajrayana Buddhism, one does not need to be Buddhist to join. Through the practices learned in our Basic Training, participants engage with Contemplative Psychology’s skillful methods, including meditation, emotional self-trust, and compassionate exchange, discovering the inherent wisdom and potential in everyone.
   
3. Collective Intentionality
   The Karuna community embraces selfless compassion toward all. We commit to personal growth and acceptance of ourselves and others as we are. This wide-minded approach fosters unity and understanding.
   
4. Compassionate Support and Nurturing
   Karuna offers genuine care, loving-kindness, and open groups for deep sharing in difficult times. We provide experiential learning, free programs, and meditation practices, emphasizing compassionate listening and the belief that there is nothing to fix, as everyone has innate sanity.
   
5. Diversity and Inclusion
   Karuna values diversity and inclusion. We strive to recognize and overcome personal and cultural biases like racism, sexism, and ageism. We aim to lead with a broad perspective, accepting all expressions, regardless of how radical they may seem.
   
6. Sacred Space
   Karuna hosts retreats at the Ari Bhöd Dharma Center in the San Bernardino Mountains, offering a space for deep meditation, self-compassion, and study. We also cultivate sacred virtual spaces where members can share experiences confidentially, free from concerns about data mining or compromise.
   
7. Deep Listening and Reflection
   At Karuna, compassionate exchange is central. We focus on deep listening, sharing only the present moment’s “microscopic truth” without offering advice or seeking to fix others. Our approach fosters non-judgmental support, collective reflection, and spiritual growth through speaking from the heart.
   
8. Interconnection and Interdependence
   Rooted in the Buddhist concept of interdependence, Karuna recognizes that all life is interconnected. We understand that each person’s well-being is linked to the community, emphasizing the importance of nurturing harmonious relationships.
   
9. Sacred Accountability
   The path of Contemplative Psychology is one of mutual recovery. As we make space for others, we benefit. Establishing mutual agreements within the community ensures integrity, authenticity, and shared growth.
   
10. Spiritual Growth and Transmutation
    Karuna encourages deepening emotional and mental awareness through contemplative inquiry. We focus on transmuting difficult emotions into wisdom, learning to embrace ourselves fully, and allowing emotional energy to unfold into its innate wisdom. These practices cultivate compassion, insight, and a sacred perspective.
    

Creating a sacred community requires intentionality, openness, and a commitment to love, growth, and service. Karuna is a space where individuals unite to learn, support, and grow together in reverence.

If you're inspired to experience these principles firsthand, I invite you to join us for a one-day in-person retreat in Albuquerque, Creating Sacred Community: The Wisdom of Contemplative Psychology, on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MDT exploring Karuna methods inspired by the Five Buddha Families, which evoke the sacredness of community. Through ritual, chanting, and contemplative practices, we will connect with the wisdom of the mandala and cultivate clarity, compassion, and spaciousness. All are welcome—step into a transformative journey with us! 

For those unable to attend in person, I will also be hosting a free one-hour virtual Karuna Live session, Finding a Soulful Bond: Building a Community of Love, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM MDT. Through guided meditation, discussion, and interactive exercises, you'll discover practical tools for seeing beyond conditioned perceptions and approaching differences with an open heart—essential skills for creating the kind of sacred community we all deeply long for.

In times of profound disconnection and social isolation, the call to create and nurture sacred community has never been more urgent. By honoring the sacredness in ourselves and each other, we weave a tapestry of belonging that sustains us through life's greatest challenges and deepest joys.