Our Values
It is difficult to describe what one group as broad as we believe. For the most part, we follow the teachings of Isaac Bonewits as put forth in several of his books and writings. Isaac sometimes described how a fish doesn't know it is in water until it is no longer in the water and that this was what he was trying to do with the Pagan community, trying to get it to see the water, which he described as the Judeo-Christian majority western culture. We, choose to live our lives by three primary principles, which we feel help us "see the water" more clearly. These are not just values but spiritual acts as well, We call these the three Graces.
1) Reciprocity - To be generous in spirit, word and deed, to be a hospitable being to other beings, to seek connection with others through acts of kindness. Each individual must determine their level of comfort with reciprocity or, as some might call it, hospitality. It is through this act that we learn that the barriers we believe exist between us and "other" are an illusion and that we share in common more than that which separates us.
2) Authenticity - Seeking to be a real, genuine, soul is one of the biggest challenges in life. Often it is easiest to put on old masks and be who others expect of us. At Cornerstone, we want to know the real you, and we hope you do too. In letting down the barriers that separate you from others while practicing reciprocity, we hope you will also work on letting down the barriers that separate you from yourself.
3) Mindfulness - Meditation and awareness are important practices, not just for building a disciplined mind but also for becoming more aware of your surroundings, your personal process, and the process that others are going through. We value mindfulness because it teaches us to be appreciative of what we are experiencing right now, so that we do not loose lessons that might otherwise pass us by and so that we can be more sensitive to our needs and the needs of others around us.
1) Reciprocity - To be generous in spirit, word and deed, to be a hospitable being to other beings, to seek connection with others through acts of kindness. Each individual must determine their level of comfort with reciprocity or, as some might call it, hospitality. It is through this act that we learn that the barriers we believe exist between us and "other" are an illusion and that we share in common more than that which separates us.
2) Authenticity - Seeking to be a real, genuine, soul is one of the biggest challenges in life. Often it is easiest to put on old masks and be who others expect of us. At Cornerstone, we want to know the real you, and we hope you do too. In letting down the barriers that separate you from others while practicing reciprocity, we hope you will also work on letting down the barriers that separate you from yourself.
3) Mindfulness - Meditation and awareness are important practices, not just for building a disciplined mind but also for becoming more aware of your surroundings, your personal process, and the process that others are going through. We value mindfulness because it teaches us to be appreciative of what we are experiencing right now, so that we do not loose lessons that might otherwise pass us by and so that we can be more sensitive to our needs and the needs of others around us.
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Thoughts on Reciprocity/Hospitality
A video of our founder speaking to a group about reciprocity/hospitality in the context of Druidry/ism.
These same concepts apply to Cornerstone Pagan Fellowship as well as many other traditions of Neopaganism. |
