The Eight Affirmations of Zen Deism

These eight affirmations are starting points for a Zen Deist way of seeing, not rules to obey or doctrines to defend. We hold them as our best current understanding, while remaining open to questioning and change. Anyone may take them up freely, adapt them, or set them aside. No person or institution should dictate another’s beliefs; each of us is responsible for shaping and cultivating our own spiritual life.

We affirm that:
1. Zen Deism is a rational spiritual worldview that updates Deism through the insights of Eastern wisdom, Western philosophy, and contemporary science.
2. Truth is our highest authority; we reject claims of scriptural infallibility and rely on reason, evidence, and experience to guide our beliefs, which remain open to revision.
3. God is infinite consciousness: the unconditioned, eternal, and transcendent Good, the transpersonal source and ground of all existence, worthy of our highest reverence.
4. The cosmos is an evolving process of consciousness and matter in motion, governed by immutable natural and moral laws.
5. All people have a moral obligation to practice universal benevolence and forsake selfishness.
6. After death, individual consciousness is reborn according to karma until it attains liberation.
7. Spiritual practices are essential to developing our character and deepening our spiritual awakening.
8. Mystical experiences are an important part of our spiritual journey into God.