Community
is a way of thinking.
It is inclusive rather
than exclusive. It celebrates
diversity with respect
and reverence. It treats
others as brothers and
sisters rather than "customers",
"contributors", or "clients".
It thinks of the whole
earth as a sacred web
of interdependent relationships
rather than a storehouse
of throwaway consumables.
Community
is a happening. It can
happen in the family.
It can happen in the neighborhood.
It can happen in the workplace,
the club, the school,
the team, the park, the
bus, etc. When it happens
you feel connected, you
feel unity, you feel loyalty,
you feel security, you
feel compassion, you feel
needed, you feel energized,
you feel like doing the
right thing.
When
Community is lacking you
get violence in the family
and on the street. You
get fear of your neighbors.
You get moving the plant
to Mexico for cheaper
labor. You get polluted
air, water and food. You
get massive addiction
to drugs and alcohol.
You get youth dropping
out of school. You get
more prisons. You get
homelessness. You get
lots of people not voting.
Now
that we have conquered
the wilderness, built
magnificent institutions,
amassed fortunes, invented
awesome technology and
walked on the moon it
is time to rebuild the
essential foundation of
all human, natural, and
divine aspiration - COMMUNITY.
The
next level in the unfolding
American dream is to realize
the sacred satisfaction
of all-inclusive community.
The journey to get there
will challenge all of
us. It is the "great work"
of our time. A good place
to start is Indianapolis.
Some proposals for getting
started are outlined in
this platform.
