# Presence over Performance Whenever we gather, our purpose is always collective presence. We are bringing each other together so that we can increase our awareness of God, the living world, and the gifts that are brought by all present. We are not here for performance or to aggrandize any one individual or group in particular. We do not gather to hear speeches, but to work collectively for the benefit of all. While one may talk, the rest of the gathered question and seek to find truth in what is said, calling out what is wrong, always applying the principles of compassion, justice, equity, and faith. While our intention, purpose, and practice may be shared in common, no person or group holds authority over the gathering; thus all may speak in compassion, justice, equity, and faith so that all voices are heard and weighed by the gathered. In this way, we learn to work collectively through consent and common cause. We work in the way of peace, and as peacemakers, we always speak and act from that calm, centered place. # Consent and Clarity Before gathering for practice, work, craft, ceremony, or ritual. We ensure that everyone attending knows what is happening, why we are doing what we are doing, how to participate and perform the tasks at hand, and how to opt out should they choose not to participate in the working. Mere attendance is not the same as participation. Participation requires both an act of intention and an act of will. Thus, for all craft, ceremony, ritual, and practice, the intention will be made clear, so the will may be gathered from all who wish to participate. Those who wish to attend but not take part in the ritual, ceremony, craft, or practice may show their inn by crossing their arms either across their lap or across their chest to indicate as a sign of intention and will their lack of participation in the working. Attendance must not be construed as participation. Some may wish to observe to determine whether they wish to participate in future, while others may wish to observe to monitor and understand the work that is being accomplished. # Right Relationship All workings must be performed in right relationship with the tradition, God, the spirits, those who are attending, those who are participating, and those to to whom the work is intended. We honor the one life flowing through all things. the ever-present gifts of the land, sea, and sky, The continued support of our ancestors of blood, milk, and land. the living community from which we gather, and the vulnerable for whom we do our work. # Remember the Via Positiva Our work is never rooted in despair, for this is a rejection of the Via Positiva, which is one of the four paths we ever walk in the spiral dance of living. Sorrow, loss, letting go, letting be, and recognition of pain are all true and valid expressions of the Via Negativa. But the Via Negativa without the Via Positiva cannot generate the union that facilitates the birth of the Via Creativa and the Via Transformativa. In all our workings we do justice, love mercy, keep wonder, and walk humbly with our God. # Modularity of Practice The order of work is modular, allowing for steps to be skipped or seen as is optional without breaking the flow. It is important that decisions to skip or swap various elements of the ritual, ceremony, ceremony, craft, or working be done with intention and understanding of how it does affect the the flow of the ritual and the working that is being done. The purpose of ritual, ceremony, and craft is to develop intention and will to push towards a stated goal. So long as the elements are retained that allow for this purpose, then the ritual, ceremony, or craft work is valid.