Six Guiding Principles
I do not follow the teachings of an organised religion but do consider myself a ‘spiritual’ person and hold the view that all life is sacred, a divine gift. We are all miracles of creation, connected to the web of life, our experience is unique, and we deserve to be free to express our unique gifts to the world.
The world in which we live is complicated to say the least and quite often we find ourselves tangled up in stories of culture, class, gender or lingering coping mechanisms from traumatic childhood experiences which shape our perception of the world.
Our brains are hyper-sensitive to stories, but not all information is truth, information is often shared to maintain order. We live in an information age where we will find stories to validate anything we decide to search for. And now we find ourselves on the cusp of a new era where AI could have a hand in shaping our future.
Whilst reading ‘Nexus’ by Yuval Noah Harari, exploring the history of information networks from stone age to AI, the shocking accounts of how stories and beliefs have shaped the lives, and deaths, of our ancestors stirred something inside me.
I will be transparent, I didn’t spend years of research reading all the scriptures of the major world religions, I decided to use AI positively and ask Chat GPT to research the common ground and find positive practices and teachings that would not only unite people but could be practiced by everyone on the planet without contradicting currently held beliefs.
My hope is that these lessons could form foundations for inner peace and a positive mindset enabling you to write your own story with each decision, each action and each breath.
This set of principles embraces the wisdom of existing religions while offering a fresh, empowering perspective and has the potential to resonate with people on a global scale.
By respecting existing traditions, allowing for freedom of belief, and focusing on common values of unity, consciousness, and fearlessness, this system could foster a new kind of spirituality that doesn’t rely on control or fear but encourages genuine connection and growth.
Finding common ground between the world’s most popular religions could help create a foundation that resonates with a wide audience, regardless of specific beliefs.
Here we explore the six most empowering teachings or lessons shared across Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism.
These principles are universal enough that even agnostics or people outside these faiths can find value in them.
Each of these principles—compassion, treating others well, forgiveness, gratitude, unity, and humility—produces powerful, positive changes in the brain.
Practicing them strengthens emotional regulation, reduces stress, enhances social bonding, and promotes overall well-being. These teachings are not only ethically and morally enriching but also neurologically beneficial, fostering a healthier, more resilient brain and body.
One love.
