What do you think?
Rate this book
Thriving Together: Nine Principles for Cocreating True Community
Communal living expert David Viafora pinpoints the nine principles in any community that can create the conditions for joy and solidity
Research over the last few decades, both in the US and abroad, shows us that the fabric of community life is unraveling as our social resources deteriorate, the climate crisis grows, and the population continues to rise. Is there another way to live? Where can we look to for guidance?
In this perceptive and inspiring book, David Viafora, a former Buddhist monk, argues that we can reverse these trends where it counts the most--in our own lives and neighborhoods. Creating or joining an eco-minded mindfulness community may not be everyone, but everyone can benefit from the insight that comes from those communities. The nine principles Viafora uncovers include Vision, Service, and Appreciation--they are broad and easily applicable to our existing social structures.
Those who have stronger and more intimate relationships with family, friends, and community are happier and healthier, and they live longer. The happiest and most resilient people are not without conflict, but they lean into their closest relationships, especially when facing tough life challenges. Once we wake up to the fact that community has a pivotal influence on the health of our bodies, minds, and world, we can begin to build more trustworthy, supportive connections and meaningful lives.
Research over the last few decades, both in the US and abroad, shows us that the fabric of community life is unraveling as our social resources deteriorate, the climate crisis grows, and the population continues to rise. Is there another way to live? Where can we look to for guidance?
In this perceptive and inspiring book, David Viafora, a former Buddhist monk, argues that we can reverse these trends where it counts the most--in our own lives and neighborhoods. Creating or joining an eco-minded mindfulness community may not be everyone, but everyone can benefit from the insight that comes from those communities. The nine principles Viafora uncovers include Vision, Service, and Appreciation--they are broad and easily applicable to our existing social structures.
Those who have stronger and more intimate relationships with family, friends, and community are happier and healthier, and they live longer. The happiest and most resilient people are not without conflict, but they lean into their closest relationships, especially when facing tough life challenges. Once we wake up to the fact that community has a pivotal influence on the health of our bodies, minds, and world, we can begin to build more trustworthy, supportive connections and meaningful lives.
- GenresNonfiction
Paperback
Published February 25, 2025
About the author
David Viafora
1 book3 followersDavid Viafora (he / him) first started a local mindfulness group in his hometown, on the land of the Cahuila Nation, in California, over twenty years ago. He fell in love with this practice and the flame of mindful community building has been lit ever since. David ordained as a monk with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in 2005 and spent several years living in the Plum Village tradition monasteries before finding his niche in lay community life. He founded several Sanghas or mindfulness communities across the US that are still thriving today; this includes Greatwoods Zen in the land of the Catawba, or Charlotte, North Carolina, where he currently resides.
David leads mindfulness retreats for educators, families, youth, young adults, and other groups in North America and Europe. He is a lay ordained member of the Order of Interbeing, the core community of the Plum Village tradition, and works as a licensed therapist for children, adults, and families. David is also a certified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion.
As a white-presenting Chinese-American cis man, David is always striving to better understand, embrace, as well as learn from his European, Asian, and American ancestors. Some of David’s favorite activities currently are drinking tea in the woods with friends, Sangha games nights, ecstatic dance, competitive sports, and sunset meditations.
David leads mindfulness retreats for educators, families, youth, young adults, and other groups in North America and Europe. He is a lay ordained member of the Order of Interbeing, the core community of the Plum Village tradition, and works as a licensed therapist for children, adults, and families. David is also a certified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion.
As a white-presenting Chinese-American cis man, David is always striving to better understand, embrace, as well as learn from his European, Asian, and American ancestors. Some of David’s favorite activities currently are drinking tea in the woods with friends, Sangha games nights, ecstatic dance, competitive sports, and sunset meditations.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 15, 2025
"Thriving Together: Nine Principles for Cocreating True Community," is a vibrant, eloquent, and diligently researched book brimming with Zen wisdom. Author David Viafora and his former partner Vanessa traveled the world, visiting dozens of mindfulness-based residential communities and interviewing more than 100 founders, teachers, and members, to learn about the rewards and pitfalls of creating intentional community. This is the beautiful fruit of their yearlong "global quest," which surfaced nine essential elements for building community. It is sure to bring fresh inspiration to anyone who is engaged in spiritual circles, and practical encouragement to those who aspire to form a community.
David, a therapist and former monk, adeptly weaves lively true stories with practices you can use right away. He also shares piercing guidance from spiritual luminaries who mentored him, including Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Thay Chan Phap Dung, and many other monastic and lay teachers. David offers fresh takes on some of the simple yet radical practices that make the Plum Village Buddhist tradition useful and transformative. For example, he explores why it is helpful to start with "Step oneself" to start the Beginning Anew practice of conflict reconciliation. He explains that when we are embroiled in conflict with another person, what we really need is "the rain of compassion to relieve the suffering inside ourselves." This insight is just one of countless gems shining in the book's rich tapestry.
As a white-bodied person, I appreciate that David uses his position of privilege as a white-presenting, cisgendered man to educate others. Notably, he includes honest and deep-digging chapters on white awareness and racial healing. With raw personal stories and skillful explanation, he affirms the value of mindfulness-based racial affinity groups as places we can safely bring our racial wounds (such as the shame and guilt that white people feel) so the pain can be “heard by others, lovingly accepted, and consciously worked with and transformed.” This is crucial work to help people unpack the racial baggage that can lead us to cause harm with our words and actions.
"Thriving Together" is a treasured resource to keep at hand. Reading it, I felt I was enjoying a delicious multi-course meal with many wonderful aromas and flavors – deeply enjoyable, nourishing, and energizing. The book is a feast in itself but also an invitation to partake of the enlivening, sustaining nutrition that is beloved community.
David, a therapist and former monk, adeptly weaves lively true stories with practices you can use right away. He also shares piercing guidance from spiritual luminaries who mentored him, including Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Thay Chan Phap Dung, and many other monastic and lay teachers. David offers fresh takes on some of the simple yet radical practices that make the Plum Village Buddhist tradition useful and transformative. For example, he explores why it is helpful to start with "Step oneself" to start the Beginning Anew practice of conflict reconciliation. He explains that when we are embroiled in conflict with another person, what we really need is "the rain of compassion to relieve the suffering inside ourselves." This insight is just one of countless gems shining in the book's rich tapestry.
As a white-bodied person, I appreciate that David uses his position of privilege as a white-presenting, cisgendered man to educate others. Notably, he includes honest and deep-digging chapters on white awareness and racial healing. With raw personal stories and skillful explanation, he affirms the value of mindfulness-based racial affinity groups as places we can safely bring our racial wounds (such as the shame and guilt that white people feel) so the pain can be “heard by others, lovingly accepted, and consciously worked with and transformed.” This is crucial work to help people unpack the racial baggage that can lead us to cause harm with our words and actions.
"Thriving Together" is a treasured resource to keep at hand. Reading it, I felt I was enjoying a delicious multi-course meal with many wonderful aromas and flavors – deeply enjoyable, nourishing, and energizing. The book is a feast in itself but also an invitation to partake of the enlivening, sustaining nutrition that is beloved community.
November 9, 2025
This book moved me in such a profound way. It offered not only a roadmap for thriving in community but also an invitation to look deeper into what community truly means: what I seek in it, and how safe and seen I feel when I offer my energy to one.
Through thought-provoking stories and heartfelt reflections, David shares his journey across the world studying communities, the ones that flourish and the ones that falter. His vulnerability and tenderness in sharing personal experiences make the lessons come alive in a deeply human way. I often found myself nodding, recognizing similar dynamics in my own experiences with community.
The principles he presents are grounded in integrity, built upon extensive research, and expressed with genuine care. They transcend culture and geography, offering wisdom for anyone seeking to create or be part of a mindful, authentic community.
This book is such a gift; a thoughtful, inspiring, and grounding guide for those yearning to belong in ways that uplift both the individual and the whole.
Through thought-provoking stories and heartfelt reflections, David shares his journey across the world studying communities, the ones that flourish and the ones that falter. His vulnerability and tenderness in sharing personal experiences make the lessons come alive in a deeply human way. I often found myself nodding, recognizing similar dynamics in my own experiences with community.
The principles he presents are grounded in integrity, built upon extensive research, and expressed with genuine care. They transcend culture and geography, offering wisdom for anyone seeking to create or be part of a mindful, authentic community.
This book is such a gift; a thoughtful, inspiring, and grounding guide for those yearning to belong in ways that uplift both the individual and the whole.
August 3, 2025
Reading this book, I felt my own aspirations deepen on the topic of sangha--harmonious community. Viafora takes us on a beautiful journey through different communities and how they're working diligently to create open safe-spaces for practitioners of mindfulness and meditation. Anyone looking to look deeply into their current community or to build their own, I would highly recommend this as a must-read!
I had the opportunity to meet the author and this piece of work is well reflected in his own way of living and speaking. The fruits of his practice are very ripe.
I had the opportunity to meet the author and this piece of work is well reflected in his own way of living and speaking. The fruits of his practice are very ripe.
February 20, 2026
Thriving Together is a thoughtful and accessible guide to building healthy, inclusive communities. David draws insights from his experience visiting sanghas around the world and distills them into nine fundamental principles. His writing is warm, grounded and playful, and he invites us to reflect on how we show up for one another. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in community-building.
September 17, 2026
I am definitely the odd (wo)man out here, but this book did not do it for me. There were nuggets of wisdom for building and supporting a Sangha, but the tone and writing style didn’t click for me—it honestly felt forced and inauthentic a lot of the time. (Hence why it took me months to actually finish this book because I didn’t enjoy picking it back up!) This was a random choice at a bookstore that I knew nothing about prior, so sometimes it happens.
May 17, 2025
I think anyone who wants to build a healthy, happy spiritual community should read this book. This kind of work is HARD, so it's such a relief to get all of the best principles brought together in this book. Each chapter has meaningful and inspiring stories to get you energized, and then you get practical exercises to put things into action. I'm thinking of getting all of the core members of my spiritual community to read it together as a book study.
January 17, 2026
Thriving Together is an honest book about 9 essential principles for creating a healthy, inclusive sangha community. David breathes life into his writing with humility, humor, and intention. Interwoven is the eightfold path, connections across the world, and critical reminders of coming together as one. I highly recommend this wonderful read!
May 18, 2026
David Viafora was given the Dharma name True Zen Mountain by Thich Nhat Hanh, and he brings a mountain of practice and experience to this wonderful book. This gem is infused with his buoyant spirit and reflects his decades of study, practice, and research on the art of mindful living. His descriptive writing style is engaging and illuminating.
May 11, 2026
4.5 ⭐
A really well organized and carefully thought out guide to intentional community building from a foundation of Buddhist principles.
Would like to have read about a few more specific examples from David's experiences.
A really well organized and carefully thought out guide to intentional community building from a foundation of Buddhist principles.
Would like to have read about a few more specific examples from David's experiences.
July 17, 2026
Useful lessons on community building from someone who has clearly learned them firsthand and can put them in practice. The book’s flowery language made it hard to read - just removing all instances of ‘profoundly’ would have reduced my slight annoyance while reading.
January 19, 2026
This book is great, gives lots of insights into how to live in connection with others and cultivate mindful communities. Will probably read again at some point!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews