From Sogen:
The Buddha said to his attendant Ananda, “Good friendship, good companionship, and good camaraderie are actually the whole of the spiritual life.” Sangha and Dharma are not separate. Our community of spiritual friends, our sangha, supports and inspires us to continue, deepen, and expand our practice. In turn, we strengthen the sangha when we take the time to deepen our friendships. One way of doing this is to stay after Sunday evening service to enjoy a cookie (or fruit) and conversation. There are opportunities to cultivate spiritual friendships every day of the week at Sangha Jewel, just by coming a little earlier or staying a little later, and talking with sangha friends. That Includes talking with sangha members you don’t already know very well, enriching the relationship. Talking with new people is especially beneficial, not only to them, by helping them feel welcomed and appreciated, but to yourself, in discovering a new spiritual friend and companion on the path.