A community is a group of people who share a particular characteristic. This characteristic can be anything from the group living in the same place to a group of people who share the same ideals. An intentional community is a group of people who come together consciously to create and strengthen their connections and bonds over the attributes they share by living together. Intentional communities can be formed around a political ideology or spiritual ideology such as monasteries. There are many other examples found across the world. Intentional communities are often seen in collective housing such as coliving, monasteries, communes and housing cooperatives.
Human beings have a tendency to form groups and create a community. This tendency has roots in our early history some 130,000 years ago. During this period, humans were primarily hunters-gatherers and, due to the prevalence of predators and natural landscape, it was beneficial to group together. Safety in numbers and the ability to thrive allowed these early communities to lessen their individual burdens by sharing workloads and functioning as a group. As society and communities evolved, the benefits of living together in a group increased. Today, we live in an international community and, if the pandemic has taught us anything, we are heavily reliant on this community as well as our own locality.
As in history, there are many benefits to being a part of a community. GOCO has discussed many of them in previous articles. Although we do not rely on our community for hunting and gathering as our ancestors did, humans are still social creatures and our interactions with others are an important aspect of our wellbeing. Studies show that isolation has detrimental effects on our emotional and mental wellbeing with more than 23% of Canadian adults feeling lonely or isolated according to a study performed by Angus Reid. Lonely and isolated individuals have a higher risk of developing cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. A study conducted by AARP showed that more than 40% of Americans suffer from loneliness which is as detrimental as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.
Intentional communities bring together like-minded individuals and have the added benefits of being driven by purpose. Intentional communities can offer more financially affordable means of living either through sharing space such as coliving, cohousing and co-ownership or through focussed resource sharing as seen in communes.
Community and social interaction between members not only benefits mental and emotional health, but it also increases the individual’s quality of life. Studies have shown that having a strong purpose and sense of community lowers your risk of death. Being part of a community is a huge benefit to mental, social, emotional and physical health.
Forming your own intentional community can seem like a daunting task but with proper support and guidance, it can be a wonderful and rewarding experience. There are many community organisations around the world that are easily accessible and have plenty of resources to assist. The first step towards creating a community lies in the purpose. What are you trying to achieve and what ideals do you want your community to embody? Think of the value statement that your community would have and create the foundation with which your community will be based on. From there, you can then create a strategy to locate like-minded individuals through a variety of different methods. Below, we have listed a few options that will allow you to meet and foster your community.
Faith-based and Philosophical Organisations
Whether you are pursuing spiritual wisdom or philosophical insight, it is important to note that many cultures and religions foster meaning-focused community and often participate in gatherings that will allow you to meet like-minded people. There are many different types of communities and organisations that specifically focus on community and civic engagement. Explore opportunities in Toronto.
Support Groups
A support group can be a great place to share with others and receive as well as provide support and comfort. If you are dealing with a health condition or loss or any related issues in your life, support groups can allow you to work through and heal while empathising with others. Explore opportunities in Toronto whether you are focusing on mental health or physical conditions.
Creative Pursuits
The arts encompass a wide range of varying activities. Perhaps you enjoy painting or sculpting or prefer musical pursuits or performative arts. Whatever the case, there are many opportunities and activities available for you to pursue. Explore Toronto’s opportunities.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to branch out and meet people while helping your community and those less fortunate than you. Many studies show that volunteering reduces depression. There’s many different types of volunteering and you can find opportunities that suit your passion and interests.
Find Your Passion
One of the best ways to seek out your community is to gravitate towards your interests in passions. You are likely to find many who share similar interests and will be able to create a community through these shared passions. Whether you are interested in sports and outdoor activities or prefer creative pursuits, there are programs and opportunities out there to explore.
Title graphic courtesy of freepik.