Communication is at the core of every community, and it can be challenging when it should reach a worldwide community! This is why Sangha App has explored how people communicate in the Dzogchen Community through 15 interviews to key persons and practitioners. We gathered inspiring stories about how practitioners relate to practice and connect to others, and we will share some of these with you, starting with this article.

Among the media in our community, let’s first mention The Mirror, now hosting this article, that reaches everyone, through its fantastically well-curated editorial project. The contents featured in The Mirror are reflective and broad, arriving both online and printed. While truly offering a mirror of community life, it might not be the most suitable context for quick announcements and interaction between users. 

Many of us worried when Norbunet emails stopped arriving. Although people said they couldn’t always keep up with large numbers of emails, it was a precious tool for many years. When it stopped, it felt like losing a connection. 

I remember that, for me, registering for Norbunet was the first step toward entering the community, after having received transmission. When Gars and Lings reached out through Norbunet, many practitioners answered through action: donating or registering for events. What are we going to do now?

Gakyils & teachers spreading the word

Gakyils, on the one hand, work with communication, both public and behind the “scenes”. Organizing a course requires many emails, conversations, calls, and reminders. Sometimes even chasing other people. One Blue Gakyil, for example, mentioned being in about 20 collective chats between Telegram and WhatsApp. Many are for collaborating with other Gakyils, at a national and international level. 

For promoting courses, Gakyils and teachers need almost professional skills in social networking, mass emailing, processing pictures, and customer care. The energy and effort they put into this work is impressive. They need help, so do not hesitate to offer your karma yoga! Given how broad and diverse the educational offer is in our community, we can see how it benefits us all.

Practitioners connecting family

Practitioners, on the other hand, communicate to learn, to practice together, to ask for help, to get inspired, and to feel connected to their Vajra family. 

Our participation in courses and events has reached incredible potential since 2020, with online retreats going global. Mailing lists like Norbunet and the Russian Voice remained large pools of educational opportunities. In parallel, the Sangha App translated the complex online global schedule to an immediate, one-click accessible daily practice schedule. 

Many lings continue to organize face-to-face events in local languages, where people can spend time together. But for practitioners who are geographically far from others, online courses and practices became gold, in the form of optic fibre signals.  

Practitioners also reach out when they have doubts or need advice. Many mentioned the generous support they received from teachers and expert practitioners. Having someone and somewhere to ask for advice is a source of motivation for continuing to train. 

Many ask for advice from teachers through direct emails or during events. In the Sangha App, there are discussion channels where exchange and advice are frequent. People ask questions like “Which yantras help the eyesight?” or “Should we eat from the Three Roots plate after the Ganapuja, or not?”, and they receive well documented answers!

Although a few WhatsApp and Telegram groups exist where teachers are present and practitioners exchange experiences, most of these groups have more of a logistical function. They also tend to be tiring for many, with too many messages and notifications. 

Large social networks like Facebook or Instagram are also used. It is not unusual to receive a friend request from someone we don’t know, but with whom we have…hundreds of friends in common. Then we know they are from the Dzogchen community! 

Some people share pictures, events and quotes related to the teachings on social networks, trying to reach wider audiences. Often, though, the reactions are weak, for example just a “thumbs up” or a “heart”. Event organisers commented that people don’t seem to take action, such as registering for a retreat or donating after reading a post on Facebook or Instagram.

Lastly, word of mouth quickly circulates information, increases trust, and strengthens bonds. 

With Sangha App, we have created a space that works as a hub for communication. You can directly exchange with people you know, publish your events, be reminded of the Global practice chains, access The Mirror with one click, or ask for advice from expert practitioners and teachers. We aim for this tool to be successful in keeping people connected and intensifying our practice!

Connected through practice

Having a glimpse of another’s life events on social networks might feel like being a bit closer. Nonetheless, what we deeply know is that we are connected through practice. 

As one practitioner explained:

“I feel more connected to the Dzogchen community than to other Sanghas. Practicing together is a very good base for feelings of belonging to develop. Nowadays it is very easy to meet people from all over the world online, particularly people who are interested in some particular practice.

We also meet with others, just ordinary people, and we talk about things and drink some tea. This is also very important for communication.”

Sangha App team