If humanity is to thrive for the next thousand years then a major change is needed in our lifestyles.

I want my descendants to flourish. I want them to hug trees in the forests and swim in the seas and lochs. I hope they will enjoy ancient cathedrals and Michelangelo’s sculptures. May they dance in the clear moonlight and gaze in wonder at the the stars in our universe.

But our present lifestyle is not viable, we cannot go on as we are doing. We are destroying the life force that nurtures us, our home, planet Earth. We have polluted the air, the land and the oceans. We are also in the process of wiping out a large part of our biodiversity. We are losing our wild animals, plants, birds, insects and our soil which produces the food that sustains us.

As if that were not enough, many of us live in a state of war. We suffer from inequality, racism, lack of justice, ill health from the lifestyles we live and ineffective governance to name but a few.

Let’s Think of Something Better!

We need to change, certainly. I would love to see us grow and be happy. I want us to find a way to make humanity thrive and blossom into the kind, compassionate human beings that we can be. In order to do this, we need a transformation in our way of being, a recognition that something different is required.

External financial growth is not the answer, but inner growth can be. Growth that helps us develop a love for the Earth and a compassionate acceptance and need of and for each other could bring peace and security.

Is Such a Thing Possible?

I trust that such a thing is possible. If we start to believe in each other, nurture a desire for a better life, cultivate a willingness to accept change, and work together for peace and stability, then magic will happen. Living or working as part of a community or even being connected in some way can help.

Social Connection and the Warmth of Community

In 1964 Robert F. Kennedy said “It is not more bigness that should be our goal. We must attempt, rather, to bring people back to…the warmth of community, to the worth of individual effort and responsibility…and of individuals working together as a community, to better their lives and their children’s future.”

Aristotle said that “Man is a social animal”. We need other people to help us thrive.

According to the Shastri Institute, intergenerational solidarity, the sense of connection and shared responsibility between people of different age groups is particularly important. They continue “In a society, intergenerational solidarity can play a vital role in promoting social cohesion and addressing issues such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality. By working together and sharing resources, knowledge, and expertise, people of different ages can create a more fair and just society that benefits all age groups.”

There are many types of community already in our world demonstrating the benefits we gain from not being alone. Connecting as part of a meaningful community can be a huge benefit to our mental health. The magazine happiness.com says that “ – – – belonging to a group or community we can identify with helps us develop a stronger sense of personal and collective identity. It can also give a boost to our self-esteem and to our willingness to take on the world and make our dreams happen.”

Being part of a community can bring acceptance, a sense of worth and ability to contribute to something meaningful. Human beings have a very strong need to belong as part of their nature.

What Type of Communities Exist?

1 Indigenous Communities

Worldwide about 476 million people live in this type of community. These communities have typically lived closely connected to the land over a very long period of time. The cultures, which are unique, are passed down through the generations. Examples of such peoples are the Maori in New Zealand, the Lakota in America and the Maya in Guatamala. Indigenous Peoples often live in extreme poverty. Nevertheless their close and spiritual connection to their lands means they have a vital role to play in the conservation of our Earth.

These communities often have lifestyles which are simpler and may well be much happier. This article claims for example that “tribal societies put the community before the individual, sharing and exchanging possessions rather than amassing personal wealth” and that “peace comes from dismissing concepts of ownership, competition, vanity and greed, according to the Piaroa people of Venezuela. They disavow violence, hold men and women to be of equal status, and never physically punish children.”

It seems we may have a lot to learn from Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Communities

2 Intentional Communities

An intentional community is a voluntary residential community designed to foster a high degree of social cohesion and teamwork. Such communities typically promote shared values or beliefs, or pursue a common vision. This may be political, religious, utopian or spiritual, or are simply focused on the practical benefits of cooperation and mutual support. They come in many forms, for example they can be co-housing communities or eco-villages, off-grid communities or religious or spiritual groups. All give a sense of belonging to something other than the self. Examples of these types of communities are: Plum Village in France, the Othona community (UK and beyond) and the Perthshire off-grid community in Scotland.

3 Transition Towns Network

Transition groups bring local people together. They say “every group is different, shaped by local needs, but all share common goals: cutting fossil fuel use, boosting local economies, and strengthening community connections. These groups inspire positive and lasting change.” If you are interested and want to be inspired, read the book by Rob Hopkins. It is called “From what is to what if.” I couldn’t put it down. It is full of the most wonderful inspiration and certainly the way I would want to live in the future.

Football Fans

4 Local Groups

Clubs of any sort can be communities because they are groups of people united by a common interest. Clearly there are many thousands of such groups throughout the world. They offer an end to social exclusion for members and a shared interest. Often, they bring responsibilities and the necessity of learning how to deal with problems.

A recent report by the Co-operative Party in the UK on social clubs says that  “The report positions social clubs as part of the solution to the UK’s mounting ‘connection crisis’. In an era marked by political alienation and social fragmentation, clubs offer grounded, face-to-face environments for building trust and civic engagement. Unlike online organising networks, social clubs facilitate deeper, more personal relationships between organisers and participants, fostering a more robust form of democratic interaction. The report argues that with adequate support, these clubs can become vital partners for democracy and delivering community-based services. So here is yet another way of connecting with others and learning a useful skill at the same time.

5 Internet Groups

People living in isolated areas or confined at home can benefit enormously nowadays from being part of a group on the internet. We saw this during the Covid lockdowns where there was still the opportunity to be part of something bigger. Clearly, being able to communicate with friends and families was important. But then and now groups are set up and communities are formed for many different reasons. I had friends who sang in a choir on the Internet during Covid. Other friends formed “coffee communities” just to speak to other human beings.

I personally am involved with the Pachamama Alliance (https://pachamama.org/). This is a global community which aims to address the ecological and social crises facing the planet. Regular meetings keep me connected to this amazing community.

Why forming communities is important

Obviously living or being part of a community is not without its problems and frustrations. However, in our new and better future we are going to have to learn to live with less. But I believe very strongly that we can replace that lack with something much richer and more fulfilling. Community life or membership can increase one’s sense of security and belonging. It can increase happiness and life satisfaction, provide a social support network and prove to be a place where one can use one’s skills and enthusiasm.

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Photos by Rod Long, Norbert Braun and Victoria Prymak on Unsplash