Freedom, truth and love are integral to the spiritual quest undertaken in companionship with others.

Freedom

Recognizing individual uniqueness in the ongoing process of self-transformation, we acknowledge that meeting one's personal responsibility to work out one's own way requires freedom of choice with respect to means, as well as the need for freedom of thought and expression in pursuing self-inquiry, self-exploration and self-discovery.

Our fellowship is therefore founded on the principle of giving oneself freedom for self-inquiry, self-exploration and self-discovery, and also according the same freedom to others.

Truth

To the degree that one lives in the present and is completely honest and authentic, the next right step makes itself evident. This is a state that can be cultivated through the cooperation of others of like mind and heart.

Commitment to the pursuit of truth necessitates complete honesty, authenticity and integrity. This honesty entails transparency with those in whom one places trust as one's companions on the Way.

Speaking one's truth means speaking from the heart rather than chiefly from the head. This is possible to the degree that one is among trusted companions. The circle of truth must also become a circle of trust, and trust is only developed over time through mutual give and take.

One of the most difficult aspects of pursuing truth is being completely honest with oneself. Hence, an important aspect of our fellowship involves "trueing" oneself with one's trusted companions, which also preserves harmony in the group and ensures consensus.

Love

The word "love" has many meanings. The ancients distinguished among eros or sensual love, agape or familial bonds, philos or the affection of friends, and transcendental love or love of the divine Beloved. Companionship is grounded in mutual affection and respect, as well as devotion to shared ideals. Spiritual companions are "philosophers" in the classical sense of lovers of wisdom.

Companionship can rise to true affection and become a means for culturing the heart, especially as appreciation grows not only for one's companions but also for the One in whose remembrance spiritual companions gather. Companions set this One, however they idividually conceive of this, at the center of themselves and their circle, equally close to all.