Covenant

A Covenant generally means an agreement, a contract, or a pact.  In the spiritual dimension, however, a Covenant takes on a much deeper meaning.  In the Holy Bible, a Covenant was a promise made by God to the Israelites; it was an oath which bound God to the promise made.  The Covenant of the New Monastic is an oath, a vow, made to The Divine, to the individual and to this new monastic community.   This is a declaration of one's intention to live a particular way, devoted to the life The Divine is calling one into.  The Covenant made by the A Way To Be new monastic is as follows (click on the Covenant statement for a detailed description):  

1.   [The wordless invitation of The Divine]
2.   I commit to actualize and live according to my full moral and ethical capacity.
3.   I commit to live in solidarity with the cosmos and all living things.
4.   I commit to live in deep nonviolence.
5.   I commit to live in humility.
6.   I commit to embrace a daily spiritual practice.
7.   I commit to cultivate mature self-knowledge.
8.   I commit to live a life of simplicity.
9.   I commit to live a life of selfless service and compassionate action.
10.  I commit to be a prophetic voice as I work for justice, compassion and world transformation.
11.  I commit to being obedient to Truth.
12.  I commit to support and encourage other members of this new monastic community.