UU Speak Peace

Unitarian Universalism and Compassionate Communication Consciousness

A Principle Practice

Rev. LoraKim Joyner, D.V.M.

Covenant – We the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and to promote…

By turning anger and conflict into a celebration of connecting to live and a mourning of unmet needs we can stay in relationship in the midst of conflict and enhance the possibilities of getting everyone’s needs met with each interpersonal exchange. To stay engaged and in relationship in the complex interplay of human fumbling and bumbling is to live out the hope and grace of religious covenant, a foundation of Unitarian Universalism.

First Principle – The inherent worth and dignity of every person

Compassionate Communication Consciousness (CCC) grows our deep understanding and embodiment of not just affirming, but communicating and acting as if every being has inherent worth and dignity. We grow our skills in intra-personal relationships, so that inner peace and acceptance may radiate outwards.

Second Principle – Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations

We expand CCC into relationships by coming to each conversation communicating the worth of the others with a deep knowing that we are all equals, for we share a universality of human needs. This in turns contributes to justice in every conversation.

Third Principle – Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations

CCC takes shape in congregations and in community as we grow in spiritual awareness of our interconnection and worth (1st and 7th Principles). We seek radical acceptance of what is.

Fourth Principle – A free and responsible search for truth and meaning

Truth (harmonization of the human mind with what is) is never captured in one religious tradition or any one person’s or group’s experience. Therefore we come to each conversation open to the "holy" other – for together we are "wholly." It is our responsibility to go deeper as we travel together, yet each in our own way.

Fifth Principle– The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large

CCC helps us speak up for what is our understanding, nonviolently, knowing what is authentically ours to say. We will differ and respect our differences, intensely engaged and part of group process, for this is the very essence of democracy (engagement in the midst of differences, highly valuing individual needs as group creative possibilities unfold). We affirm what Unitarian Universalist minister Francis David said in Transylvania (16th century), "We need not think alike to love alike."

Sixth Principle – The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

It is our hope that love in voluntary association will bring about society transformation. The work that we do in our congregations with CCC is intimately tied in with peace on many levels, in particular we study how we might do this with the Peacemaking Study Action Item (Levels of peacemaking: Intrapersonal, interpersonal, congregational, community, society, international, environment and Web of Life).

Seventh Principle – Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

CCC helps us grow in radical acceptance of how we are interconnected with life seeking life (universal needs). We respect this unity through our loving and compassionate actions to all beings.