The realization of the Norm starts with, or is accompanied by, a closeness in thought with all other living or existing beings, that is, communion with nature, or with nature and culture. For the active adherent such communion is an act or instance of sharing both pleasure and pain or suffering with all sentient beings. As a form of mental intercourse the experience of communion may be the result of a meditative effort, but the fundamental significance of the experience is likely to be greater when it is the result of a social effort or of a practical deed. As a social occasion the observance of communion may take the shape of a reflection uttered in the company of other people.

If a common reflection demands our attention for the well-being of fellow-adherents persecuted or discriminated against because of their denominational convictions, it at once resembles and surpasses the sort of theocentrist prayer in which religious totalitarians or discriminators express compassion for the lot of cobelievers living in countries ruled by party-political totalitarians. An example of such a normistic reflection is:

"Let us think of all those who suffer for their denominational convictions, wherever they are; and of all those who, of whatever kind they may be, are kept in the grip of exclusivity and extremity.
   Let us not forget that our siblings persecuted or actively discriminated against have succeeded in making their presence known and felt for the sake of truth, relevance and neutrality. May this strengthen the convictions of all of them and renew their commitment to the Ananorm.
   Let us hope that they will have the vigor and courage to eventually cast off the yoke of political oppression and religionism, and that they will win their persecutors or discriminators to a new insight, to a genuine and inclusive siblinghood indeed."

In the above reflection the closeness in thought is with people who are still alive. But especially when 'e has just died, and when 'er body is being cremated or buried, we may also want to express our closeness in thought with a dead person. In the next section we will discuss a form of symbolism related to the cremation or burial of such a person's body.