Common Ground
Common Ground is a statement of the common values of Light Spirit UK members. It is a living document, a code of conduct, and something to use as a tool for the transformation of ourselves and the way we relate to each other and the environment. (If the word “commit” is too strong for you, then you can choose to use the word “aspire”)
Service: I commit myself to the service of others and to our planet, recognising that I must also serve myself in order to practise this effectively.
Personal Growth: I commit myself to the expansion of human consciousness, including my own, and I recognise and change any of my personal attitudes or behaviour patterns which do not serve this aim.
Personal Integrity: I commit to maintain high standards of personal integrity, embodying congruence of thought, word and action.
Respecting Others: I commit wholeheartedly to respect other people (their differences, their views, their origins, backgrounds and issues), other people’s property and all forms of life.
Direct Communication: I commit to using clear and honest communication with open-listening, heart-felt responses, loving acceptance and straightforwardness. In public and in private I will not speak in a way that maligns or demeans others. I will talk to people rather than about them. I may seek helpful advice, but will not seek to collude.
Reflection: I recognise that anything I see outside myself—any criticisms, irritations or appreciations—may also be reflections of what is inside me. I commit to looking at these within myself before reflecting them onto others.
Responsibility: I take responsibility for my actions and for my mistakes. I am willing to listen to constructive criticism and to offer constructive feed-back to others in a caring and appropriate fashion, to challenge and support each other to grow.
Non-violence: I agree not to inflict my attitudes or desires on others. I agree to step in and stop, or at least say that I would like stopped, actions that I feel may be abusive to myself or others.
Perspective: I take responsibility to work through and put aside my personal issues to avoid any negative impacts on the company. I will resolve all personal and business conflicts as soon as possible. I acknowledge that there may be wider perspectives than my own and deeper issues than those that may immediately concern me.
Co-operation: I recognise that I am a member of a cooperative company and that it functions only through my co-operation and my good communication. I agree to communicate clearly my decisions. I agree to communicate with others who may be affected by my actions and decisions and to consider their views carefully and respectfully. I recognise that others may make decisions which affect me and I agree to respect the care, integrity and wisdom that they have put into their decision-making process.
Resolution: I commit to make every effort to resolve disputes. At any time in a dispute I may call for an advocate, friend, independent observer or mediator to be present. In the event of a dispute continuing unresolved, I will have access to a Grievance Procedure. I commit to following this procedure.
Agreements
I commit to keeping agreements I have made and not to break or try to evade any laws, rules, or guidelines.
Commitment
I commit to exercising the spirit of this statement of Common Ground in all my dealings.
