Ongoing Process

Life Fellowship

Principles and Purposes

1. Life is Beautiful

We affirm that Life is inherently and fundamentally beautiful. We have many different beliefs about that beauty and we use many different words to describe it, but we stand united in its sublime experience.

In our individual and collective trials and mundanities, it is sometimes easy to lose sight of the beauty of Life. It is the purpose of the Life Fellowship to aid its members in remembering and experiencing the beauty of Life.

2. Life is Precious

We affirm that every form of Life is inherently and fundamentally precious. Common or rare, pleasant or foul, similar or disparate, we stand united in the belief that every plant, every animal, and every human has value, worth, and merit.

In a world that often seems full of conflict, it is sometimes easy to see some forms of Life as more valuable and others as less valuable. It is the purpose of the Life Fellowship to aid its members in remembering and experiencing the value of each and every Life.

3. Life is Dynamic

We affirm that every part of Life is inherently and fundamentally dynamic. Changes may be subtle or dramatic, delightful or painful, great or small, but we stand united in the belief that every Life is in constant change, growth, and development.

In our desire for security and belonging, it is sometimes easy to try to see things as static and immutable. It is the purpose of the Life Fellowship to aid its members in seeing, embracing, and encouraging the changes in themselves, those around them, and in all of Life.

4. Life is Diverse

We affirm that all of Life is inherently and fundamentally diverse. Mystic or rationalist, liberal or conservative, plant or animal, we stand united in the belief of the magnificent multiplicity of Life.

In our attraction to things that are like ourselves, it is sometimes easy to forget that for every aspect of our Life, there is an immense variety of other beliefs, contexts, and states of being. It is the purpose of the Life Fellowship to aid its members in remembering, respecting, and celebrating the diversity of Life.

5. Life is United

We affirm that every aspect of Life is inherently and fundamentally united. Perceived or ignored, understood or mysterious, agreed or disputed, we stand united in the belief that each and every aspect of the human experience is ultimately a distinction of a seamless whole that is Life.

In the complexity of the everyday, it is sometimes easy to fragment our Lives, trying to make some things unrelated to other things and trying to make yet others not exist at all. It is the purpose of the Life Fellowship to aid its members in seeing, understanding, and rejoicing in the unity of Life.

These five principles and purposes we apsire to live.
We aspire to live them in being, in thought, in word, and in action.
We aspire to live them with compassion, awareness, humility, honesty, and courage.

We are the Life Fellowship.

Copyright © 2003 Chris Stanley