Quintessential Corrigible Professions of a Reasonable Way

The Tenets of Global Beliefs and the Values We Choose

Version 1.15, December 2016

It is a reasonable leap of faith to say:

1. Mystery:

I know all things are really collections of inter-related events, and none are permanent;

but I cling to classification and inferences because they help me understand my experience,

knowing that some concepts are misleading and sometimes words fail completely.

We cannot sensibly speak of what is outside this reality – even its mystery is part of it.

I wonder, in awe, at times unknowing.

I learn from philosophy, religion and art ways to discuss these issues.

2. Truth, Diversity (Uncertainty) and Reality:

I accept my self as an impermanent, immanent, collection of events;

and that other selves exist, somehow similar to me, but different.

I live with the pervasive dilemma intrinsic in ‘causality or chaos’, accepting the uncertainty,

and I yearn to be whole, acknowledging reason, faith, emotion and intellect.

I make choices, to seek the truth concerning the reality we share, to be aware, to be authentic.

I learn from science and history how things came to be as they are.

3. Life (Struggle) and Love (Compassion):

I choose to live, to feel, to discover, to be connected, to love, to experience this struggle.

I feel compassion;

so I choose to be good, , to alleviate suffering, to respect others, and myself.

And I know unnecessary suffering comes from:

fear, desperation, stupidity, ignorance, thoughtlessness, insanity or selfishness;

and the appropriate responses often are:

empowerment, equity, guidance, education, self control, medical aid and forgiveness;

though I often struggle to act as I think I should.

I look to philosophy, science, history, religion and art to provide guidance in my practice.

4. Responsibility (Justice) and Equality (Freedom):

I choose to treat others as if they have some choice

and bear responsibility where an intervention is potentially effective;

to strive to be part of the struggle for what is good, to promote equality, to oppose oppression and greed,

to promote democratic society, based on

security, non-violence, accountability, transparency, liberty, diversity, justice and mercy;

acknowledging others come to these realizations via diverse means and provide additional insights.

I learn from science and history what is possible and effective,

when to show forgiveness and mercy and when to show courage and stand for what’s right.

5. Beauty and Hope

Appreciating beauty when I can, I choose to live in hope;

for here on Earth at least, life and love are everywhere, ubiquitous.

The choices I make reflect what I value, what I glorify:

truth, diversity, uncertainty, respect, reality, reason, faith, awareness, authenticity, balance,

life, struggle, love, compassion, responsibility, equality, freedom, justice, mercy,

democracy, peace, security, courage, accountability, transparency,

mystery, wonder, awe, beauty, hope.

I learn from science what motivates me thus.

I myself choose this path, tentatively, reverently,

with some small degree of faith, not despite reason and the evidence, but because of it.

And knowing this is the best I can do,

most times, I have a measure of content.

I am aware of the mystery of existence, self & will, but I choose truth, diversity, reality, life,

love (compassion), responsibility (justice), equality (freedom), beauty and hope, knowing

that I am.