PRACTICING UNITIVE JUSTICE

Practicing Unitive Justice

Unitive principles can be applied to every aspect of life. Using the unitive principles described in the 14 Arcs to Unitive Justice, anyone, anywhere can become grounded in connection, without separation, where kindness and love flow freely. When we practice Unitive Justice, we recognize our shared humanity, and we are ONE. No matter where you are on your life's journey—whether you want some tips on how to bring more compassion into your life or you are looking for a deeper understanding of Oneness—Unitive living is accessible to you.

A Simple Conflict Intervention that Shifts the Energy

When a confrontation may be developing, perhaps with a student or with your teacher or your parent/guardian, instead of pushing back or reacting negatively, you may simply ask:

“WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO KNOW ABOUT THIS?”

This disrupts the conflict energy and the tendency to react and not truly listen. To signify that you were actually listening, once this question has been answered, repeat what you heard the speaker say, and ask if that is what he/she wanted you to hear. For example:

“WHAT I HEARD YOU SAY IS ____________. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED ME TO HEAR?”

When they confirm you accurately heard them, then ask:

“IS THERE MORE?”

Repeat back what may have been added. Ask if that is what he/she wanted you to hear. Ask “Is there more?” until he/she says “No.” Then ask:

“MAY I TELL YOU WHAT I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO KNOW ABOUT THIS?”

Instead of maintaining the discussion in the energy of opposition or confrontation, this shifts the energy to an invitation to reach understanding.

Duality to Unity

For Unitive Living, we begin with the principle that punitive justice reflects duality consciousness—the belief that separation and an us-versus-them world is reality. Unitive Justice reflects Unity consciousness and the belief that separation is an illusion—we are all One. To achieve Unitive Living requires a shift in Worldview--a shift from duality to Unity consciousness. The foundation upon which Unitive Living is built is on the concept of oneness--not just with all of humanity, but our oneness with the Source of all things, whatever name we may use for that, and with all that is. To some, this may sound “woo woo” or far out, but this same concept is found in all major religions.

• [The] Christian Bible states, "...for us there is One God, the Father from whom are all things and for who we exist..." (I Cor. 8:6)

• The Torah of Judaism states, "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One." (Deuteronomy 6:4)

• In Islam, from the Quran, "Say, He is God, the One! God the eternally besought of all!"

• From the Buddha, "He who experiences the unity of life sees his own self in all beings."

• From Baha'u'llah of the Baha'i faith, "You are all leaves of one tree and the fruits of one branch."

• From Chuang Tzu, co-founder of Taoism, "He perceives the oneness of everything, does not know about duality in it."

• From the many quotes available on oneness found in Hinduism, Ramakrishna states, "Nothing exists except the One."

• From Nicholas of Cusa, cardinal of the Catholic Church, "He is God the Father whom we might also call 'One' or 'Unity.'"

• And Ghandi says it in a most concise way, "I believe in the absolute oneness of God and, therefore, also of humanity."