According to Meister Eckhart, “Everything pertaining to the spiritual realm is inclusive and unitive by nature, whilst matter is by nature exclusive and implies separative particularity; the more spiritual a thing is, the more inclusive and thus universal it is, and the more material a thing is, the more it excludes other things by the very rigidity of its specific contours.”
It is our position that spirituality that lies at the core of every religion is “inclusive and unitive by nature” while being fully respectful of our diversity. We therefore present the following ethical criteria for teaching such spirituality:
1. The over-arching ethic is the ethic of underlying oneness of all. Good is what makes for this oneness, and evil is what makes for separation or division.
2. All educational material, lectures, seminars, practices, etc. will be equally applicable to the whole humanity, irrespective of religion, belief, faith, race, gender and culture, and without discrimination of any kind whatsoever.
3. All educational material, lectures, seminars, practices, etc. will use extreme caution and sensitivity and refrain from affirming, diminishing, or denying any religion, belief, faith, race, gender and culture explicitly or implicitly.
4. All educational material, lectures, seminars, practices, etc. will acknowledge due academic credits to ideas and concepts used from any religion, belief, faith, race, gender and culture.
5. The approach used to research, develop and deliver the curricula shall be based strictly on academic considerations.
6. There shall be absolutely no PREACHING and no PROSELYTIZING.
7. All educational material, lectures, seminars, practices, etc. will promote tolerance, understanding, love, and respect for all human beings without any discrimination.
8. The educational material will be complementary to the existing educational systems.
9. The educational material will incorporate totality of human experience with multi-disciplinary approach.
10. All educational material, lectures, seminars, practices, etc. will be mindful of the individual need and right to the exclusive practice of one’s chosen religion with undivided devotion and surrender in following the path of one’s personal salvation or liberation.
11. The educational material will promote the use of natural and environmental resources with respect and responsibility.
12. The educational material will promote positive personal involvement in improving human condition through oneness, education, nonviolence, understanding, respect, love, and service.