Beliefs in Resonance

I share many basic beliefs with the conscientious, moral citizens of our world.

The Universal Moral Code

I believe in the Universal Moral Code which is a list of morals found throughout the world, compiled by Dr. Kent M. Keith.

Do no harm (the proscriptive version of the code):

Do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you.
Do not lie.
Do not steal.
Do not cheat.
Do not falsely accuse others.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not commit incest.
Do not physically or verbally abuse others.
Do not murder.
Do not destroy the natural environment upon which all life depends.

Do good (the prescriptive version of the code):

Do to others what you would like them to do to you.
Be honest and fair.
Be generous.
Be faithful to your family and friends.
Take care of your children when they are young.
Take care of your parents when they are old.
Take care of those who cannot take care of themselves.
Be kind to strangers.
Respect all life.
Protect the natural environment upon which all life depends.

The 6 Pillars of Self-Esteem

I believe in the 6 pillars of self-esteem:

Living consciously — “When we live consciously we do not imagine that our feelings are an infallible guide to truth.”
Self-acceptance — “Accepting, compassionate interest does not encourage undesired behavior, rather it reduces the likelihood of it recurring.”
Self-responsibility — “There is no one coming to our rescue, individually or collectively; no one is going to save us.”
Self-assertiveness — “unleashing our personality, intellectual abilities, talents, etc., whether other people, including family members and friends, like it or not”
Living purposefully — “we have the right to establish goals for ourselves based on what we think and feel is right and good”
Personal integrity — “It takes courage to act with integrity to the truth, particularly one’s inner truth that others may dislike, negatively judge, and even condemn.”

Ip Man’s Wing Chun Jo Fen

I believe in Ip Man’s Wing Chun Jo Fen:

Remain disciplined — uphold yourself ethically as a martial artist
Practice courtesy and righteousness — serve the community and honor your family
Love Your classmates — enjoy working together as a group
Control your desire — stay healthy
Work hard and keep practicing — never let the skill leave your body
Learn to develop spiritual tranquility — abstain from arguments and fights
Always deal with world matters with a kind attitude that is calm and gentle.
Help the weak and the very young — use your martial skill for the good of humanity

The 5 Pillars of Islam (modified)

I believe in the 5 pillars of Islam (adapted to my belief system):

Believe in goodness
Spend time in quiet contemplation
Give to the poor and needy (those poor in spirit and body)
It is good to discipline your desires
Expand your horizons and respect your heritage

The Ten Commandments (modified)

I believe in the 10 commandments (adapted to my belief system):

Nothing comes before goodness
Do not worship that which is empty or vain
Respect goodness and avoid profanity.
Spend time in quiet contemplation. Rest from your labors.
Honor your father and your mother.
Do not murder.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Do not covet.

The Great Commandments (modified)

I believe in a modified version of the great commandments (adapted to my belief system):

You should love goodness and treat and love your neighbour as you would like to be treated and loved.

Main tenets of Zoroastrianism

I believe in the main tenets of Zoroastrianism, in slightly modified form:

If you wish to be happy, make others happy.
In proportion as we render others happy, are we entitled to similar bounty.
Each person should be good and beneficent in conduct towards all around them.
We should avoid injuring the interests of any man (or living being to the extent they share in personhood).
Our speech should generally be sweet and beneficial.
Goodness is Godliness, and we should be a ministering angel to all. We should radiate goodness throughout our life.
Avoid unnecessary dissension (try to see the underlying unity in conflicting view points)
Never force your own opinion on another.
Consider the welfare of others before your own.

Basic Moral Principles of Hinduism

I believe in the basic moral principles of Hinduism, in slightly modified form:

I believe generally in karma (that which we do, good or bad, generally comes back to us in some form)
I believe in a light-weight form of dharma — we each have duties at various stages of life and in society, and we should perform our duties well.
I believe in the majority of the yamas and niyamas:
- asteya (nonstealing)
- satya (truthfulness)
- arjhava (honesty)
- daya (compassion)
- ahimsa (nonviolence)
- hri (showing modesty)
- dana (giving to others)
- isvarapujana (spending time in quiet contemplation)

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

I believe in cultivating the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

Be proactive
Begin with the end in mind
Put first things first
Think win-win
Seek first to understand, then to be understood
Synergize
Sharpen the saw

The Church of Reality

I believe in all 26 of the Sacred Principles of the Church of Reality (even though I think there are better ways to order and derive one’s belief system):