I'm on one leg.

I'm sweating, arms outstretched.

And this is always the moment when my evil, wise yoga teacher always.

So wise that he's found the best time to torture all of us is during half-moon pose, sweat dripping down our outstretched arms, our shaking legs pointed to the sky.  Where are we going to go while he delivers his soliloquies about life?  Nowhere, baby.

Captive audience. 

So perfect.

This Sunday he interrupted the long streak of weekly Rumi poems to drop this Thích Nhất Hạnh chestnut:

"Enlightenment is when a wave realizes it is the ocean." 

This quote hit me and for a moment my attention was not focused on preserving my one-legged asana.

I just floated.

All I could think was: "Damn.  That's the reason I come here.  To yoga.  That's the reason I build companies.  That's why I married my wife."

I wish I could write as beautifully as Hạnh.

We've all heard the common notion of "we are all waves on an ocean" meaning and with grace  What if we could see ourselves as part of something much larger?

This is where the magic of community comes in.  Being part of a community is like realizing that, as a wave, you're part of the ocean. It’s a comforting thought: no wave crashes alone. It’s the collective ebb and flow that creates the beauty of the shoreline, just as our connections with others create the rich tapestry of life.

Consider the office environment (whether it's a physical space or a virtual one). Alone, you might struggle with a project, but with the support of your team, you can brainstorm, problem-solve, and, let’s be honest, complain about Karen from accounting who never refills the coffee pot. It’s in these shared experiences that we find strength and motivation. We lift each other up – sometimes with a well-timed joke, sometimes with a helping hand.

Remote work, the new normal for many, has its own set of challenges. The isolation can make you feel like a solitary wave, crashing into the void. But virtual communities, like those found on platforms such as The Sukha Company, remind us that even in our physical separation, we are not alone. We share our progress, our setbacks, and our mid-afternoon snack choices (which are, of course, crucial). This sense of belonging can be a lifeline, helping us stay focused and feel connected.

Beyond professional circles, communities can be found in hobbies, neighborhoods, and even in those impromptu dance parties that break out in the kitchen while cooking dinner. These connections remind us that we are part of a larger whole. When we engage with others, we not only receive support but also have the opportunity to offer it. There’s something incredibly uplifting about being there for someone else, about being the wave that lifts another.

Think about volunteering. Whether it’s helping at a local food bank, tutoring kids, or walking dogs at a shelter, these acts of kindness create ripples that spread far beyond the immediate moment. You feel good, the person or animal you help feels good, and the positive energy radiates outward. It’s like tossing a pebble into a pond and watching the circles expand. Each small act of kindness contributes to a wave of positivity that can affect the entire ocean of humanity.

So, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that you’re not just a lone wave in a storm. You’re part of the ocean, connected to countless others who are riding their own waves. By recognizing this interconnectedness, we can find strength in our community and contribute to its strength as well. Enlightenment isn’t just a mystical experience; it’s an everyday realization that together, we create something far greater than the sum of our parts.

In the end, it's all about riding the waves together, knowing that whether we rise or fall, we're part of a beautiful, dynamic ocean. And sometimes, enlightenment is just knowing that you don't have to surf alone.

And remember:

Do not be the ocean;

you already are.