13 Sep The need to belong
If you have ever tried to host an impromptu brunch on a gorgeous Sunday morning, you know that even the promise of a free, unlimited mimosa is not strong enough to lure some of your friends away from their Sunday commitment to their Church or Arya Samaj or Jamat khana and any other religious institution of their choice. Being a non-practicing, ritualistically casual Hindu myself, I have always wondered what attaches these friends of mine, who are all wonderfully lovely people, so strongly to their religious communities.
I feel the answer lies in the question itself – It is the aspect of belonging to a “community” that strongly binds the people who are a part of it. The idea of belonging has always fascinated mankind. The need to belong is almost as basic the human need as food, water and shelter. Being a part of something greater than ourselves gives us a clear sense of identity and purpose. It allows us to share our joys and our sorrow. It reminds us that we are not alone, as we navigate through difficult times in life, and thus provides us with a semblance of comfort. Acceptance into a larger group gives us a sense of security.
The sense of belonging comes from shared ideas and values. There are several ways people connect – family, friends, work, etc, but organized religion, historically, has been the strongest connector and anchor in every society. People who subscribe to specific religious groups are able to relate and connect with each other, as well as rely on each other, with the basic assumption that they share certain important values and beliefs. The religious Sundays etc in that case become the manifestation of this sense of belonging to a community of like-minded people.
Organized religion has its pitfalls including corruption fueled by ego and greed. In recent years, more and more people find themselves disenchanted with organized religion and questioning the need for affiliation to a religious group. Numerous surveys show the number of Americans who do not identify themselves as religious has been increasing and likely will continue to grow. Interestingly, there has also been tremendous growth in the segment of the population who claim they are spiritual but not religious. It is interesting to note how this trend is affecting society at large. How can the people who do not subscribe to a religion based group, find the sustenance for their emotional need to belong and feel recognized as a part of a community larger than themselves?
Lumen Tree was formed as a response to these concerns, among several others. It is an effort to offer a community, starting in Houston, to those who are looking to grow spiritually regardless but do not subscribe to a specific religion. Or even if they are religious, their spirituality is founded upon the principles of kindness, love, inclusiveness, and open-mindedness. Lumen Tree seeks to encourage everyone to be their unique “Lumen” self beyond the boundaries of rituals and faith. It intends to connect like-minded individuals across the world and create a Lumen community based on the principles of inclusivity and kindness to all.