Shinbashira
Statement of Spiritual Belief
Crafting a personal statement of beliefs is a powerful tool for discovering greater meaning and purpose in life. By taking the time to reflect on our deepest values and convictions, we develop a clearer sense of what truly matters to us and how we want to live our lives. Living in alignment with our beliefs brings a sense of inner peace and fulfillment, as we feel more connected to ourselves, others, and something larger than ourselves. Whether through writing down our beliefs, sharing them with others, or simply living them out in our daily actions, having a clear understanding of what we stand for helps us navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and authenticity.
Self-Acceptance & Integrity
Self-acceptance and integrity are fundamental to my mental and emotional well-being and have profound spiritual significance. As I more fully accept myself, I encounter the Divine within me. By living with integrity, I honor the values and principles that align with my spiritual beliefs. These qualities help me to connect with my true self and others by living in resonance with my soul's purpose, ultimately leading to a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment in life.
Spiritual Responsibility
Assuming full, complete responsibility for cultivating an authentic spiritual practice is necessary because it allows me to take ownership of my growth and development as an individual. Recognizing that I am responsible for my own spiritual journey, I become empowered to make conscious choices about how I want to live my life and what practices best support me in doing so. This level of personal responsibility helps me avoid becoming overly reliant on external sources or authorities for guidance, allowing me to tap into my own inner wisdom and intuition as I navigate life's challenges and opportunities. Ultimately, assuming full responsibility for my spiritual Life and practice enables me to live more authentically, with greater clarity, purpose, and fulfillment.
Body
As a spiritual being, I treasure the Divine gift of having a physical body - and its senses that connect me with Transcendent Reality. This connection brings harmony between The Source of All Things, my innermost self, and everyday life events while honoring myself and others on our paths together. I embrace the beauty of being a sovereign Physical Being and all that comes with it — I have been given an incredible power: choice. To honor this, I follow self-determined spiritual practices, including prayer, meditation, study, movement, and Entheogenic Rituals, allowing me to access universal Unitive Consciousness.
Others
According to many spiritual traditions, all living beings are interconnected and share a common essence or source. This essence is often referred to as Consciousness or the Divine. From this perspective, the separation between self and others is seen as an illusion created by the ego or individual identity. Recognizing our shared connection to all life can cultivate greater compassion, empathy, understanding, a more profound sense of unity with others, and a deeper experience of spiritual fulfillment.
Worship & Sacraments
As a Sovereign Being, I have a Fundamental, Unalienable Right to choose how I practice my religion and connect with the Divine. This includes the freedom to select rituals and sacraments most meaningful and relevant to my beliefs and values. By choosing my own path, I cultivate a more profound connection with my spiritual self and live out my faith authentically and genuinely. Protecting this fundamental right ensures that all individuals have the space to explore their own spiritual journeys without fear of persecution or judgment.