Standing before the congregation as witness to the induction of new members into the Church, my thoughts centered on the joy and courage of the simple act of stepping forward to say, “I want to belong.”  As the words of welcome were spoken, realization replaced speculation, and my heart echoed Gibran’s words in which he describes the “longing to abolish separateness.”  While it is true that we are born alone and die alone, the epoch in between is filled with a constant quest for unions which raise us beyond ourselves.  I began to muse on the decision to join The Institute. 

    — Belonging. The word itself derives form Old English meaning to “be dependent.”  While its origin is rooted in dependency based on survival, I prefer to define belonging as, “I yearn” — a more fitting interpretation to the modern mind.  Today as we strive to release ourselves from the bonds of dependency, the “longing to be” becomes a soul urge moving us towards a deeper transcendent reality.

    Indeed, belonging is an instinctive human need arising from our distant survival past.  The focus of our yearning, however, has changed.  Now,

• I yearn to affiliate myself with like-minded individuals.
• I yearn to be a part of something greater than myself.
• I yearn for the preservation from isolation and separateness.
• I yearn to share my own uniqueness.
• I yearn to act for the things I believe.

   Instinct comes naturally; the execution is an act of the will.  Notice the difference: the instinctive drive involves no conscious control of the inborn response to a stimuli.  However, when we act to appease the yearnings, we become the conscious human reaching beyond a base drive to engage our highest faculties.  Implicit in the action is a desire to cooperate with others for the preservation of something special.  

   Which brought me back to the Church, and those who step forward to belong. 

    I think of the thousands who have passed through the doors of the church.  While all are warmly welcomed, casual seekers and psychic dilatants too quickly move on to the next flavor of the month.  Those who remain find a Spiritual Community based on unconditional love and acceptance.  So frequently, I hear from people who have relocated — all confirming the same thought: There is nothing else like The Institute out there.  

   But what prompts someone to choose to belong to the Institute Community?  Is it because it is safe home in which to discover an individual pathway;  a place to dream and explore; a haven of caring encouragement;  a sanctuary of spiritual exploration — do these stir a desire to belong?  Perhaps it is the challenge to encrusted beliefs;  an stimulus to be a better self; an impetus to seek Truth; a call to unite mind and spirit — do these inspire a desire to belong?  Maybe it is the thirst for spirituality;  a quest for knowledge;  a need to serve;  a summons to be a part of a vision which arouses a wish to belong.  

   My reflections ended as I looked into the faces of our new members and realized that they simply belong here.