Doctrinal Statement Mindful Life Transformations

Open and Affirming

No matter where you find yourself on life’s path, you are welcome at Mindful Life Transformations—truly, you are.

Whether you identify as Liberal, Conservative, Independent, or somewhere in between. Whether you are navigating your body, whether it’s heavy, slim, or in transition.

Regardless of your faith—Atheist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Agnostic, Pagan, or none at all—you have a place here.

No matter who you love or how you identify—Gay, Straight, Man, Woman, Nonbinary, Transgender, or beyond gender. Whether you embrace church life or avoid it entirely. 

You are welcome here.

As your Spiritual Path Facilitator, I promise this: I will not judge you. I will not condemn you. I will ask the difficult questions that foster growth, but always with care.

I will offer you the grace of the Divine and strive to be a reflection of the Divine’s love for you.

 I Fuse Unitarian Universalism with a Christian Heathen Omnist worldview into what I call the Mystic Warrior Philosophy.

A Christian Heathen Omnist Unitarian Universalist draws on the Christian emphasis on love and redemption, heathen reverence for nature and ancient wisdom, and omnist openness to the truths in all religions. All of this is woven together within the Unitarian Universalist framework, which fosters inclusivity, spiritual exploration, and personal growth. Their path is one of integrating multiple traditions while seeking to live a life guided by universal principles of love, compassion, and respect for all spiritual traditions. 

1. Spiritual Insight and Inner Wisdom (Mystic): A focus on deep reflection, prayer, meditation, or ritual practice to connect with the divine and gain inner peace. The mystic side searches for truth across all spiritual traditions and seeks to understand the mysteries of life and the universe.
2. Action-Oriented and Defending Justice (Warrior): The warrior side of this belief system channels the inner wisdom gained from mysticism into purposeful action. This can manifest in defending the oppressed, pursuing justice, protecting the environment, or standing up for spiritual beliefs. It involves courage, resilience, and discipline, while also embracing virtues like compassion, humility, and love.
3. Integration of Multiple Traditions (Omnist): As a warrior, they are open to the idea that strength and wisdom can come from any tradition, whether it’s the Christian message of redemption, the heathen emphasis on honor and courage, or even insights from Buddhism, Taoism, or Indigenous practices. This holistic perspective allows them to be flexible and adaptable in their spiritual practice and their outward actions.
4. Connection to Nature and Ancestral Wisdom (Heathen): They honor the earth, see themselves as protectors of nature, and respect the wisdom of ancestors. The warrior may practice seasonal rituals or honor the changing cycles of nature, while the mystic connects to the spiritual essence of the natural world.
5. Unitarian Universalist Framework of Inclusion and Justice: The UU framework encourages this individual to pursue social justice, equity, and compassion, providing a broad spiritual community that supports the mission of the mystic warrior. They are free to explore diverse spiritual paths and express their unique combination of beliefs while working for the greater good of all people. 

1. We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, recognizing the value of all paths and truths, embracing the wisdom found in diverse spiritual traditions.
2. We promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations, practicing kindness, empathy, and fairness in how we relate to others, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds.
3. We embrace the acceptance of one another, encouraging spiritual growth within our community, and remain open to all expressions of the divine, including the possibility of multiple gods or none at all.
4. We pursue a free and responsible search for truth and meaning, committed to ongoing spiritual exploration, without allegiance to any single deity or tradition, allowing for diverse interpretations of existence.
5. We uphold the right of conscience and the democratic process within our congregations and society, recognizing the equality of all beliefs and the importance of collective decision-making.
6. We strive for a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all, promoting the interconnectedness of all life and working toward a harmonious, inclusive world.
7. We respect the interdependent web of all existence, acknowledging that all beliefs, spiritual paths, and truths are interconnected and contribute to the greater whole.
8. We honor the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, understanding them as part of the journey toward ultimate enlightenment and spiritual growth.
9. We embrace all beliefs, yet are bound to none, maintaining openness to spiritual wisdom without rigid attachment to any single path.
10. We reject any views that do not, affirms a path that aligns with compassion, integrity, and the betterment of humanity.

We also share these beliefs

We recognize the existence of a Higher Power, a transcendent force or presence that is central to the spiritual journey of many individuals. This Higher Power may be understood and experienced in various ways, depending on one’s personal beliefs, cultural background, and spiritual path.

For some, the Higher Power is a singular, omniscient deity; for others, it may be expressed as a universal energy, a collective consciousness, or the interconnectedness of all life. We honor and respect these diverse understandings, affirming that no one interpretation holds absolute authority over another.

This Higher Power serves as a source of guidance, wisdom, and comfort, offering meaning and purpose in life’s experiences. It is not confined to any one tradition, name, or form, but is open to each person’s unique relationship with the divine or the transcendent.

We encourage all individuals to explore and cultivate their own understanding of the Higher Power, free from dogma or coercion, and grounded in respect for the beliefs of others. In this shared pursuit, we affirm the unity and commonality of the human quest for connection with something greater than ourselves.

Sacred Texts

Sacred texts, revered across the world, provide profound insight into the human experience and our quest for the divine. These texts, whether the Bible, Quran, Torah, Bhagavad Gita, Tao Te Ching, or others, offer timeless wisdom that transcends culture, time, and geography. In our community, we believe that each sacred text holds value and is part of a larger spiritual mosaic.

We encourage all individuals to explore these writings, drawing their own interpretations and meanings, understanding that no single text holds all the answers. Sacred texts should be approached not as rigid doctrines, but as living sources of guidance that, together with personal experience and reason, help us navigate our spiritual journeys. We also recognize that these texts were written within specific historical and cultural contexts and should be interpreted with both reverence and openness to contemporary understanding.

Ultimately, we see sacred texts as companions in our collective search for truth, not final authorities. By engaging with them thoughtfully and with an open heart, we honor the rich diversity of spiritual wisdom available to us all.

Universal Salvation

We affirm the ultimate triumph of grace over sin and death, believing that the boundless mercy and forgiveness of the divine will prevail. This victory of redemption is demonstrated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, serving as a profound testament to the power of grace.

We hold that no human being will face eternal condemnation or separation from the divine, as the all-encompassing love and mercy of the divine will extend to all. In this belief, we affirm that suffering and separation are temporary, and in the end, all souls will be reconciled and restored to unity with the divine.

Separation of Church and State

We affirm that the role of the Church is to advocate for human rights, but not to enforce its religious convictions through the power of the State. The Church has a long tradition of speaking out on issues of justice and freedom, as exemplified by the Exodus from Egypt and the return from Babylon, which addressed the moral wrongs of slavery, and Esther’s story, which highlights the value of women and the right to self-defense.

However, we firmly believe that religious institutions should not seek to impose their beliefs on others through government action. While faith can guide moral and ethical discourse, we oppose the use of state power to enforce religious doctrines or coerce individuals who do not share those beliefs. The separation of Church and State is essential to preserving both religious freedom and human rights for all.

We affirm that spiritual growth is nurtured through the practice of Spiritual Disciplines, which guide individuals on their journey toward deeper connection with the divine and personal transformation. These disciplines are foundational to developing a balanced and meaningful spiritual life, and they exist in three distinct forms: Inward, Outward, and Corporate Disciplines.

Inward Disciplines focus on the personal, internal work of the spirit. They include:

• Meditation: Cultivating mindfulness and connection with the divine presence within.
• Prayer: Engaging in dialogue with the divine, seeking guidance, comfort, and clarity.
• Fasting: Practicing self-denial to deepen awareness and dependence on the spiritual.
• Study: Seeking knowledge and wisdom through the exploration of sacred texts and spiritual teachings.

Outward Disciplines reflect spiritual principles through our actions in the world. They include:

• Simplicity: Living with clarity and purpose, free from material distractions.
• Solitude: Seeking intentional time alone to foster personal reflection and divine connection.
• Submission: Embracing humility and surrendering to the greater good.
• Service: Offering time and resources selflessly in service to others.

Corporate Disciplines are practiced within a community, fostering collective spiritual growth. They include:

• Confession: Sharing personal shortcomings and receiving support and accountability.
• Worship: Coming together in reverence to celebrate and honor the divine.
• Guidance: Seeking wisdom and direction from the community and spiritual mentors.
• Celebration: Rejoicing together in the shared experience of spiritual growth and blessings.

Together, these disciplines form a holistic approach to spiritual development, encouraging individuals to seek transformation both personally and within the wider community. We believe that through dedicated practice of these disciplines, individuals can cultivate a deeper, more fulfilling spiritual life.