My primary allegiance is to Spirit, which is the ultimate reality and source of all things. The nature of Spirit is Love.
The foundation of an excellent life is Spirit, which always manifests itself as Love. The foundation of the manifestation of Spirit in human affairs is ethics. When anything is demonstrably in conflict with the ethics of Love, it is contrary to Spirit. The following is the basis of an ethics of Love:
a) If at all possible, I will do no harm. This means to anyone. Anyone includes people I do not like. It also includes myself. There are times when it may be necessary to do harm to protect myself, and there will occasionally be situations in which each of the available options will result in a degree of harm to someone. In these situations, I will do all I can to minimize the damage.
b) I will be truthful in my dealings with others and in examining myself. If I am not honest with myself, I will be open to self-deception.
c) I will not interfere with the free will of another or allow others to interfere with my free will. Where a conflict exists, I will work with the other party (or parties) to find a mutually satisfactory solution or compromise. If the other party does not wish to cooperate, I will assess the situation and follow my instincts in a spirit of Love as best I can.
d) I will recognize that there will sometimes be differences so great that the only workable option is to agree to disagree.
e) I will not help anyone who I know does not, or will not accept me, if doing so would induce harm.
For example: If I find myself in a position to help a fundamentalist Christian who believes my religion is Satanic. If I help this person, I will violate her belief system and free will by imposing "help" that will likely be interpreted as Satanic manipulation. Such circumstances can do great psychological harm to the recipient, who may think this is a trick or an attempt at Satanic seduction. By accepting my help, she may believe that she has failed a test of faith.
A general guideline to keep in mind would be to not give help where it is not asked. I will let the other person determine if she wants my help. If asked, I will not deceive anyone as to who I am or what I intend to do.
If someone is not able to give or withhold their consent, I will center myself and seek guidance.
f) If someone asks for my help, I will do so to the best of my ability, without harming myself in the process.
g) I will take responsibility for my mistakes and do what I can to make amends when my actions (or inactions) cause harm to others, property or myself.
h) Insofar as they do not encourage, incite or promote violence against others by their words, actions or doctrine, and insofar as they do not teach falsehoods about others, I will respect the rights of others to their beliefs and chosen spiritual paths.
i) I will take no oath, but let my word stand on its own, and keep it. If my word is not good, my oath will not be, either.
j) I will teach those who ask for instruction, as I am able, and as long as their intentions are good and they are willing and able to listen and learn.
k) I will maintain my integrity and respect others' integrity.
l) I will extend my allegiance only to that which I am confident is good, ethical and true. If conditions make me aware that what I have given my allegiance to no longer meets these conditions, I will withdraw, maintaining my integrity and fidelity to the original principles.
m) I will maintain my sense of humor. If I have no sense of humor, or lose it, my perceptions are distorted. A mind that cannot laugh is a mind in trouble.
n) In all things, I will seek balance.
o) If I form or join a group, I will have (or respect) a set of procedures for resolving conflict at inter-personal and group levels, and between the group and outsiders. I will stick to these procedures, making adjustments when necessary, and obey and enforce the laws and ethics of the group.
I pledge myself to these principles and agree of my own free will to abide by them to the best of my ability.
Signed, ______________________________ date / /
Witnesses ______________________________ date / /
Witnesses ______________________________ date / /