Precepts

The precepts are explained below. It is strongly recommended that you repeat them daily, either silently or aloud. This is a powerful way of working with your mind and heart.

Become involved in some form of unselfish service wherever you are.

Live simply and modestly

Become aware of the harm and needless waste caused by mindless consumerism and take steps in your own life to live more simply.

Your self-worth has nothing to do with clothes or cars or anything else outside yourself; that buying things on payment plans is usually foolish and sets a bad example; that striving to have a bigger, better or more than out neighbor is not an appropriate goal for a spiritual seeker. Become more deliberate in how much “stuff” you want in your life. Give away things you no longer need.

A minimum of one hour of formal spiritual practice per say, at least six days per week.

This includes meditation, prayer, yoga, reading spiritual books, mantra, Salat, chanting, breathing practices, etc… you daily routine of personal practices. This period may be split between morning and evening or any way that makes the most sense to your life. At least thirty minutes of your practice time must be spent in silent meditation. And remember, one hour is a minimum, not a maximum.

Completion of a three-month novice period, checking in monthly.

As in most orders, there is a novice period, during which you have a chance to see whether full membership in the order is right for you at this time. Fill on the Application form and return in to us.

The Precepts

Precepts are principles to live by, such as the Ten Commandments or the Yamas and Niyamas or the Rede. The following precepts of the order are compatible with the important ideals of all great spiritual tradition, and are also relevant to our modern times and the problems of our people.

These precepts (bold) should be repeated either silently or aloud at the end of your first meditation period of each day. Try to hear them fresh, and to deepen your appreciation of the commitment you are making, each and every day.

I will strive today to be a sincere and diligent member of this order and will not knowingly practice any for of religious superiority, bigotry, or intolerance.

I vow to be free from smoking*, drinking**, harmful eating, and mind-altering drugs.***
* The only exception is sacred tobacco shared in a NA type pipe ceremony.
** In excess.
*** The only exceptions are legal medications or those presided over by a religious official.

I vow to be free from harmful sexual behavior.

I vow to be free from selfish violence.

I vow to be free from lying, stealing, deception, slander, and gossip.

I vow to become aware of and reduce mind-numbing behavior patterns.

When we face ourselves fully, we begin to discover that every moment is relevant to our spiritual awakening.

Invocations & Dedications
For Daily Meditation Practice

Invocations

Regardless of what form of meditation you practice, an invocation is a good way to begin. It reminds you of who you are and what you’re doing. You can choose on of these invocations each day, whichever one you are drawn to, and create your own as well. Recite your invocation silently or aloud, depending on local conditions. Below are a few examples to help you start.

With gratitude for the teachings and sages of all Great Traditions, I turn my attention inward toward the Deepest Communion which can only be found in silence.

I open body, mind, and heart to be awakened in this very meditation. May I touch the truth of my existence in Communion with the Divine.

Sitting humbly before the Eternal Mystery, I surrender myself into the Holy Silence.

With a sincere wish to be a positive force in the world, and with respect for myself as a spiritual seeker, I pray for guidance into deep Communion through meditation.

Dedications

About one minute before the end of each meditation –
With hands pressed together in front of yor chest or in other meditative pose, feel the peace and gratitude in your spiritual heart / heart chakra and generate the feeling of goodwill – the desire for everyone in the world to find their way, to find their peace. This is a moment of “no hard feelings” – letting everyone in the world off the hook per se, wishing them well no matter who they are or what they have done. It is a very powerful practice to spend a few moments each day giving p all bitterness, grudges, resentments, fears, etc. From this calm center of peace, repete the following dedication or something similar in your own words, and then bow either slightly or all the way to the floor as a gesture of humility to end your practice:

May everyone find their way. May my every though, word, and deed today be a positive and healing force. May I practice Sacred Community with each person Life puts in my path.

Meditating with the Order

If you are able to schedule it, many interfaith members meditate together in spirit on Saturdays between 8:00 – 8:30 AM Central time. We begin and end the meditation with the following invocation and dedication:

With joy and goodwill, we sit together with all our friends of the Order. In silence we enter he One Great Love which unites us all.

May our lives be of great benefit to ourselves and to all beings. We extend our goodwill in all directions, so that no one in the world is unloved or alone at this moment (ending bow).