Spiritual Friendship: Ananda said to the Blessed One, “This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie.”

“Don’t say that, Ananda. Don’t say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When a monk has admirable people as friends, companions, and comrades, he can be expected to develop & pursue the noble eightfold path.

Upaddha Sutta (SN 45.2)  https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn45/sn45.002.than.html

The Buddha emphasized spiritual friendship, or kalyana mitrata, as an essential need for our spiritual growth. At our initial meeting, we explored our personal experience of friendship and why the Buddha stressed it is “the whole” of the spiritual life.

We look forward to new events in 2025, including carpooling to events at the Aryaloka Retreat Center in NH. When we meet at Nagaloka (occasional Sundays, 10:30am-noon), you are welcome to join others in going out to lunch afterwards.