Order of Interbeing member Sue Kronenberger deepens understanding of suffering through building resilience with her sangha.
By Sue Kronenberger on
Shortly after the US presidential election, I knew that it would be helpful for me and others to collectively deepen our practice of watering seeds of peace, solidity, trust, and understanding. In these times of experiencing and witnessing the effects of climate change,
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Order of Interbeing member Sue Kronenberger deepens understanding of suffering through building resilience with her sangha.
By Sue Kronenberger on
Shortly after the US presidential election, I knew that it would be helpful for me and others to collectively deepen our practice of watering seeds of peace, solidity, trust, and understanding. In these times of experiencing and witnessing the effects of climate change, of government policies that strip environmental protection and increase greenhouse gas emissions, war, oppression, and greed, nurturing our connection is vital. Through sangha practice I have learned we can be a tremendous support to one another. The jewel of Sangha gives us strength and may open doors that lead to new paths we haven’t yet seen.
I submitted a proposal to our sangha’s Care-Taking Council to offer eight sessions entitled Build Resilience, Nurture Community. (This would be in addition to our once-a-week practice gathering.) The Care-Taking Council whole-heartedly embraced this endeavor. We began in mid-January 2025 and as the eight-week mark neared, participants wanted to continue. As of this writing, we are still meeting every week. In our 2026 collective practice to build resilience, we are working with the five part series Connecting with Our Inner Community by Dr. Larry Ward.1
Each session includes silent and/or guided meditation, Dharma instruction from various teachers (through readings or audio), a review of focus questions related to the teaching or guided meditation, quiet time to journal, and time to share our reflections on the topic.
Here is a sample of some of the teachings we have explored to help us on the bodhisattva path of meeting suffering with deepened understanding and a kind and open heart:
- Sister Chân Đức guided us in learning ways to deepen our meditation practice.2
- Sister Đẳng Nghiêm walked us through the Four Immeasurable Minds of loving-kindness, compassion, joy and inclusiveness, plus those of trust and reverence (added by Thầy).3
- Dr. Larry Ward invited us into the immense support available through friends, teachers and Great Beings.4
- A recording of Brother Pháp Hải guided us in sending metta throughout the world.5
- Meditations by Sister Chanh Nghiêm and Sister True Dedication helped us embrace feelings of anger, fear, and helplessness.6, 7
- A teaching from Jo-ann Rosen brought to life the experience of Engaged Buddhism.8
Offering two or three written focus questions and time for journaling has led to rich and helpful sharing within our circle. We are learning more about one another—this deepening connection is a source of strength and joy as we aspire to protect the lives of all beings and the Earth in these divisive times.
A few weeks ago, as we were leaving, one member said she wished that all people had a sangha. Without hesitation, we all agreed.
1 Dr. Larry Ward, “Connecting with Our Inner Community” Plum Village App
2 Sister Chân Đức, “How to Practice and Apply Plum Village Guided Meditations” Plum Village App
3 Sister Đẳng Nghiêm, Mindfulness as Medicine: A Story of Healing Body and Spirit (Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 2015), 14-17.
4 Dr. Larry Ward, “Guided Meditation: Creating a Field of Merit” Plum Village App
5 Brother Pháp Hải, “Metta Meditation” Plum Village App
6 Sister Chanh Nghiêm “Taking Care of Anger, Fear and Helplessness” Plum Village App
7 Brother Pháp Hữu and Sister True Dedication, “How Not to be Afraid of Strong Emotions” Plum Village App
8 Jo-ann Rosen, “Activism as a Vehicle for Awakening Series,” Deer Park Monastery YouTube channel
