Communing: meaning, definitions and examples

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communing

 

[kəˈmjuːnɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

spiritual connection

To commune means to communicate intimately or to share thoughts and feelings deeply with someone or something, often in a spiritual context. It can refer to a bonding experience with nature, people, or a higher power, where deep understanding and connection occur.

Synonyms

communicate, connect, interact.

Examples of usage

  • She felt as if she was communing with the forest during her walk.
  • The group gathered to commune with their shared beliefs.
  • He took a moment to commune with his thoughts before making a decision.
Context #2 | Verb

religious ceremony

In a religious context, communing often refers to participating in a sacramental rite such as the Eucharist, where one shares in the body and blood of Christ. It symbolizes a deep spiritual union with the divine.

Synonyms

partake, share.

Examples of usage

  • The congregation prepared for communion during the Sunday service.
  • She felt renewed after communing at the altar.
  • They distributed the bread and wine for communion.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word has roots in the Latin 'communis', meaning 'shared by all', highlighting the idea of togetherness.
  • It began in the medieval period, reflecting the importance of community and fellowship.
  • The modern usage emphasizes intimate or spiritual conversation, evolving from its social origins.

Spiritual Practices

  • In various spiritual traditions, communing with nature involves feeling connected to the earth and all living things.
  • Many meditation practices promote a sense of communing with oneself, fostering inner peace and awareness.
  • Rituals in different cultures emphasize the importance of communing as a way to connect with the divine or the universe.

Psychology

  • Studies show that deep conversation can increase feelings of belonging and improve mental health.
  • The act of sharing thoughts leads to stronger bonds between individuals, enhancing emotional well-being.
  • Communing encourages vulnerability, which can foster trust and intimacy in relationships.

Literature

  • In poetry and prose, communing often symbolizes characters reflecting on their relationships with others or nature.
  • Writers like John Keats and Henry David Thoreau expressed their love of nature through the idea of communing with it.
  • Many novels explore themes of honest communication, using characters’ deep conversations as a plot device.

Cultural Notions

  • Across different cultures, communing signifies the importance of community gatherings and sharing knowledge.
  • In many indigenous cultures, communing with ancestors or nature is a vital part of preserving traditions and identity.
  • Festivals around the world often serve as opportunities for people to commune, blending joy with shared experiences.

Translations

Translations of the word "communing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 comunhão

🇮🇳 सामुदायिकता

🇩🇪 Gemeinschaft

🇮🇩 komunitas

🇺🇦 спілкування

🇵🇱 wspólnota

🇯🇵 共同体

🇫🇷 communion

🇪🇸 comunión

🇹🇷 topluluk

🇰🇷 공동체

🇸🇦 تواصل

🇨🇿 společenství

🇸🇰 spoločenstvo

🇨🇳 共同体

🇸🇮 skupnost

🇮🇸 samfélag

🇰🇿 қоғам

🇬🇪 კომუნა

🇦🇿 icma

🇲🇽 comunidad

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,282 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.