“We are the cause of our own ignorance.” – Bruce Lee

Introduction

Humanity has spawned a myriad of worldviews, each uniquely meeting various human needs for emotional security, belonging, and purpose. The ultimate goal of any philosophy or religion must be to help us learn how we can better live our lives as human beings and achieve the emotional and spiritual fulfillment we all crave. The revealed religions offer claims of salvation and eternal life, but they offend reason by requiring unquestioning faith in fantastic assertions. Further, they breed division by preaching that their adherents are a select, chosen few when it is obvious that we are but one family under one sky. Alternatively, Atheism offers a reasonable worldview, but one without God and devoid of the possibility of anything beyond our mortal existence. Deism offers a balanced, middle ground between these extremes. Deism teaches us to strip away the unnecessary and take the very best of humanity’s wisdom, traditions, religions, and knowledge to develop our own evolving, flowing life philosophy.

Unified Deism and its Principles represent a solid foundation for a personal philosophy, but Deism is dynamic and has so much more to offer humanity. We see Unified Deism as a paradigm shift in religious belief that can lead us to more fulfilling lives. Classical Deism began the process by turning away from the dogma people were required to accept and towards reason-based, natural religion. Unified Deism now begins the process of uniting Deists under a single banner, adopting a set of unifying principles that should appeal not only to all Deists, but to Freethinkers everywhere. We endeavor to bring people together by offering fellowship and friendship in a community of strong-willed individuals, a place where we embrace our differences as well as our similarities, a place where our positive and forward-looking views continuously seek out and examine the best that humanity has to offer. As Bruce Lee said regarding Jeet Kune Do: adopt that which is useful, reject that which is useless for you, and add what is uniquely your own.

The Deist Flow

The Universe is in perpetual motion. At the sub-atomic level, even the most rigid object is flowing and changing. Energy flows freely throughout the Universe, permeating everything from the darkest reaches of space to our own bodies. It flows with or without our choice or active participation. The Deist Flow is not a new age concept, but a realization that we are part of the flow of the universe. We follow nature’s course. Even the ancient Greeks, especially the Stoics, realized this. Though they had to recognize multiple gods for practical reasons, they were basically Pantheists who felt that everything came from one essential force in the universe, pyr technicon, “the fire that creates.” We have no control over our birth and, short of suicide, little over our death. We have only the fleeting moments in between to shape our lives with the greatest gift the Creator has given us: the God-like power to create. Most important is our power to create ourselves, to chart our own destinies. Life is not an act of “discovering” ourselves, but one of purposeful self-creation directed by our own personal vision. We are constrained only by our individual physical shortcomings. And working together, we can overcome many of these limitations.

It is in living that we either achieve our maximum personal potential or waste our life energy in mindless daily routine, relentlessly plodding toward a bleak finale marred by unrealized potential. The Deist Flow focuses on enjoying an examined and fulfilled life characterized by reasoned spirituality, offering hope for something beyond this existence without the arbitrary divisions imposed by the Abrahamic faiths or the bleakness of reductionist anti-belief. Salvation is not forgiveness of sin but the realization of our personal potential, forged in the fire of our will and bolstered by fellowship with friends and loved ones. Self-creation is an ongoing, deliberate process of “re-centering.” The Deist Flow is not limited by 18^th century western religious philosophy;. it unites the philosophical traditions of East and West to find a new middle way, a way of recognizing and following the nature’s course.

Because there is no ladder to enlightenment, Deist philosophy is best represented by a circle spinning in perfect balance on a centered line, like a gyroscope spinning, perfectly balanced on a string. When our choices move us away from the center, the circle becomes increasingly unbalanced and unstable. Spending too much time at the extremes puts our personal salvation in jeopardy and creates suffering for those around us as well. Keep in mind that Deist salvation is the maximum realization of our personal potential. When we are at a state of centered being, we:

• achieve actualization of our individual potential;
• enjoy a deeper sense of awareness and oneness with humanity and the universe;
• feel a sense of intense calm, happiness, and acceptance; and
• exercise heightened control over our body and emotions.

In this introduction to The Deist Flow it is primarily important to understand the characteristics of a Deist in a state of centered being. Later on we will examine a series of tools we can use to re-center ourselves.  Six traits describe the centered state: aware, courageous, rational/detached, disciplined, free-flowing, and altruistic.

| Aware |

“It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.” – Carl Sagan

Deist awareness, in part, represents an intuitive understanding that the complexity, order, mystery, and wonder of the universe reveal a sense of God and ultimate reality – an innate understanding of the interconnectedness and oneness of the Universe. In this state, Deist may feel that they have experienced God personally.

Unified Deism Supporting Principle 3: We believe that human beings are capable of having profound experiences of God, but hold that such personal revelations are true only for themselves.

The Deist grasps the nature of the Universe and accepts it on its own terms. In context, that means we simultaneously recognize the individual miracle that each human being represents, while also realizing each person is just one among many. We understand that the polarity (unity of opposites) governing this existence is immutable. Life is defined by opposites: joy and sorrow, love and fear, night and day, hot and cold, birth and death, and so on. But the Deist is also aware of the human potential to minimize or to overcome the negatives. Thus, a centered state allows the Deist to remain realistically and consistently optimistic about the possibilities for the future.

The Deist strives for mindfulness, to be truly present in every moment. We have only one chance to experience the finite series of moments that comprise our short lives, so the aware Deist strives to feel, absorb, and fully live each one. Nothing is taken for granted; everything is concurrently experienced through wisdom and the wonder of a child. We live in the here and now. The past is behind us. The mistakes we have made by not living according to nature cannot be undone. It is our responsibility to redeem and forgive ourselves.

Deist awareness also extends to our own individual imperfections. We understand that only when we become keenly aware of our faults can we work to correct them. These are not imperfections highlighted by a commercialized, idealized sense of physical beauty, for example, but instead an awareness of our shortcomings with respect to our fully realized self.

Finally, awareness includes a deep understanding of right and wrong. This is not the right and wrong represented by the Ten Commandments or the prohibition on images of Mohammed in Islam. This is the right and wrong understood without revelation. Do we need God to tell us it is wrong to murder, steal, or lie? Of course not! We also understand these wrongs are not absolutes, as there are exceptions to every one. Context matters, and the Deist applies reason, logic, and intuition to determine when an action is right or wrong.

| Courageous |

“I alone am responsible for the nobility of my character.” – Stoic Tradition

“Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” – Steve Jobs

Courageous Deists strive to choose right over wrong, regardless of personal consequences. They remain true to their core beliefs, that inner light. This courage supports the centered Deists’ goal to live authentically, according to nature, honestly expressing themselves in all facets of their being and interpersonal relationships. Do not allow the brevity of this section to mislead you. Living authentically takes more courage than engaging an enemy in war. The battlefield is largely impersonal; it is fight or die. But in our day-to-day lives we face more intensely personal choices. Telling your family you have left Christianity, for example, may have profound implications for your future relationship with them. Deists must remain true to themselves, even when it is not easy. This takes incredible courage!

| Rational and Detached |

“Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him.” – Aldous Huxley

Much like being aware, becoming a rational/detached Deist takes practice and determination. Rational refers to the Deist’s ability to effectively and efficiently apply knowledge, logic, experience, and reason to the analysis of a choice, conclusion, or event. The Deist selects the best option based on its merits in a consistent and prudent manner.

Unified Deism Supporting Principle 1: We believe everything we need to know of God can be found in the universe itself.

Unified Deism Supporting Principle 2: We do not believe God acts in the universe in ways that contradict natural law, but do not deny the possibility.

Being a detached Deist does not mean one is distant, aloof, or unemotional. Instead it means the Deist is able to minimize the ego to become independent, humble, and impartial. This detached state leads to serenity, peace with the universe and oneself. You can see this peace in a centered Deist who shows dignity even in the midst of personal misfortune. Though we place great value fellowship, a detached Deist is also able to be alone without feeling lonely, using this time for proactive reflection (discussed later). Detachment from ego also permits further analysis of our decisions or actions. A centered Deist can admit “I was wrong.” Finally, having the courage to stand on principle, even when that is an unpopular position, combined with the detachment of ego, makes the Deist highly resistant to indoctrination, assimilation or groupthink.

Detached Deists also choose their battles dispassionately. They examine their choices rationally and avoid expending their energies on things beyond their control. They strive for wisdom and serenity, accepting what they cannot change, ever seeking to change and improve what they can, and learning day by day to recognize the difference.

| Disciplined |

“Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price.” – Vince Lombardi

Self-mastery requires self discipline and perseverance. You are the key to your own success. Deist discipline requires us to apply proactive reflection to all areas of our lives. Proactive reflection, unlike simple reflection, is a self-directed, structured approach to analyzing our choices, conclusions, and actions, ensuring harmony with our personal sense of purpose and centered being. Through ongoing proactive reflection, the Deist becomes temperate. All aspects of life are brought into moderation and balance. One of the greatest benefits of Deist discipline is the renewal that comes from regularly re-centering our thoughts and actions. Discipline and reflection, on some level, already played a role in your determination that God exists. These traits continue to make valuable contributions to our decision-making processes throughout our lifetimes.

Unified Deism Paramount Principle 1: We believe that God exists based on reflective reason, personal experience, and observation of nature.

The process of proactive reflection will be discussed at length in a future essay[chc1] . This process is absolutely critical to determining our own potential, evaluating our conclusions and actions, and re-centering.

| Free-flowing |

“Using no way as way; having no limitation as limitation.” – Bruce Lee

The Taoist often uses bamboo to represent the virtues of flexibility and adaptability. In the face of violent storms, bamboo yields to the powerful winds, bending and swaying in sync with the gusting airstream. Bamboo survives while other, seemingly stronger, trees are easily snapped. Bamboo’s pliability symbolizes strength in apparent weakness. Marcus Aurelius said, “Love that only which happens to you and is spun with the thread of your destiny.” We internalize the experience we call love when we observe and conform to the flow of nature. Fighting the natural course of life brings us to grief. The Deist mind flows where reason and proactive reflection lead, never dogmatic or inflexible. However, when Deists conclude that their actions are right, they remain firm, yielding only as much as necessary to survive the storm without being broken by it.

Unified Deism Paramount Principle 3: We believe our principles should evolve with societal progress and our knowledge of the universe.

| Altruistic |

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The first five characteristics given here are inwardly focused. Altruism shifts our gaze from ourselves to humankind, indeed to all life. Deist altruism is more nuanced than the common definition of unselfish concern for the welfare of others. It captures selflessness, personal responsibility, and democratic values. While deeply empathetic and compassionate, Deist charity also demands that, whenever possible, others assist in their own salvation. Deist altruism recognizes the intrinsic value of life, striving to protect it in all its forms, as well as the natural nobility of each person, showing respect and tolerance for the views of others, even seeking their guidance and opinion. The most gallant of our powers is that of love. Love allows the Deist to see the common purpose and oneness that bind all of humanity together. Love engenders tremendous patience and helps us develop a sense of duty in service to one another. No person is superior or inferior in relationship to another. No man is an island. We exist for one another.

Unified Deism Paramount Principle 2: We believe that fellowship, community, and mutual respect are essential components of life. But the noblest and most important power in human relationships is our capacity to love.

Unified Deism Supporting Principle 4: We believe in the intrinsic value of life and advocate honesty, prudence, compassion, and justice in our dealings with one another.

Unified Deism Supporting Principle 5: We believe people should be free in all aspects of their lives, provided they do not disturb the peace, happiness, or safety of society.

Unified Deism Supporting Principle 6: We encourage all to advance the human condition within their personal capacity to do so. However, we believe religion should be separate from government and neither this nor any Deist principle should be used to justify political positions or causes.

Unified Deism Supporting Principle 7: We believe that religion is a personal matter guided by the dictates of conscience. We do not advocate efforts to convert people to Deism, but instead endeavor to promote Deism and educate those who are interested.

Conclusion

Unlike other religious and philosophical systems, Deism is not hierarchical. There is no savior, no Pope, no divine appointment, and no special “enlightenment” for the Deist. There is nothing in Deism that promotes the idea that God or any power places any human being in a position of greater worth than or authority over any other. Authority comes from within. You are the hero of your own story. The Deist Flow is designed to assist with your personal salvation, the realization of your own personal potential.

• Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
• Life is a beauty, admire it.
• Life is a dream, realize it.
• Life is a challenge, meet it.
• Life is a duty, complete it.
• Life is a game, play it.
• Life is a promise, fulfill it.
• Life is sorrow, overcome it.
• Life is a song, sing it.
• Life is a struggle, accept it.
• Life is a tragedy, confront it.
• Life is an adventure, dare it.
• Life is luck, make it.
• Life is life, fight for it!

- Mother Teresa