N4L 002: "The Art of Community" by Charles H. Vogl

While a grad student at Yale, Charles Vogl organized a dinner series. Using principles distilled from 3,000 years of spiritual traditions, he created a community connecting himself and others. (Some of the) Seven Principles of Belonging: To craft our communities, Vogl proposes we welcome new members through some type of initiation. He also tells us how to implement rituals (formal and informal) and create "temples" or sacred spaces for community gatherings and ceremonies. Borrowing a term from C.S. Lewis, he speaks of "Inner Rings," the most complex concept in his book. Inner rings can be the mark of a mature community. They are made up of experienced, wise people who teach and mentor newer members. No Magic Formula: We should not feel overwhelmed trying to apply all seven principles of belonging. Instead, by using even one or two principles of belonging, we can strengthen a community. According to Vogl, the key to success (and a nice place to begin) is making sure the important people in our life know we care about them. BUY The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging Music Credit Sound Editing Credit