This would come as our efforts here in Sri Lanka would be linked to similar initiatives already happening at the grass roots in other parts of the world. That is why I am so pleased to learn that the Conscious Community Network has organized the 2nd Annual Get To Know Your Neighbor Day June 23rd, an event that is spreading across the world. It's time for world awakening---let us reach out to one another with loving hearts.

As you know, Sarvodaya USA has been learning from and supporting our Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka for many years. They have also facilitated the application of our development vision and philosophy within the United States and in other countries.

I am happy to see that my dear friend and Sarvodaya USA Vice-Chairman Richard Flyer continues innovative programs that suit the American cultural and social context. The June 23rd Neighbor Day started in Reno, NV through his Conscious Community Network and has now spread to other cities.

Those of you who are familiar with Sarvodaya are aware of the importance of Sharamadana (gift of labor, or sharing of time, energy and resources). Here is a video that shows how integral service to neighbors is in Sri Lankan villages and to the process of community awakening and ultimately world awakening. Get To Know Your Neighbor Day activities can involve one degree or another of a Shramadana and also lead to other activities very much in the spirit of Shramadanas.

Neighbors like you are being asked to step forward right on your street and do a gathering, like a potluck, block party, or just walk across the street and say hello and let your neighbors know that you are available to them if they need you.

This is more than just a party and goes beyond the one day event. Neighbor Day is just a kick-off to a world-wide effort to spiritually and socially uplift where we live. If each of us can focus on how we can be of service to our neighbors we can release a chain reaction of love to help shift our communities and eventually the world to a new level of cooperation and peace.

No matter where you are, you can be a part of this process. Through your loving acts and service on the street where you live, you can be a beacon of hope and light to others. Taken together, in any given community, these gatherings can help to create a critical mass of spiritual awareness based on love and service and help to build long-term social infrastructure in each community to continue this development process.

A sustainable world society where peace reigns can be ushered in by building a worldwide network of cooperative and cohesive communities like this---a commonwealth of village republics.

Even though we are physically separated by long distances, let us remember that we are together extending the Power of Love to All.

My dear friend Richard has a few suggestions as to what you can do:

1. Mark June 23rd on your calendar.
2. Take a few moments to get to know your neighbors. It could as simple as saying hello and make yourself available to them.
3. Consider doing a gathering and register it on the website
4. Please read 37 ways to build community.
5. Make being of service to neighbors a daily occurrence.

Many blessings to you,
Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne
Founder, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement
http://www.sarvodaya.org