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The Way of
the Order

Why A Global
Third Order

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Personalizing the Way of the Order
On joining the Order, you are encouraged to study the Way of the Order and personalize these general precepts into your own plan for specific actions and ways of being. You are urged, but not required, to put this plan into words so that you can see where you are now and where you want to go. This written Way will be for you alone, unless you would like to share it with your spiritual friend or have it kept safely in your personal file at the office of the Order. If so, add it on your membership application form.

The essence of the Order is found in the first sentence of the Way which has two parts. Part One is learning to keep sensitive to the deep inner flow of life as constantly as possible. Part Two is living in harmony with it in your daily life. With a careful balance of receiving and giving spiritual vitality, the two parts merge and flow as one.

Some suggestions to help you as you create your own spiritual way:

Part One
Keeping Sensitive to Spirit
Silent meditation
Retreats
Silent or spoken prayer
Yoga, Tai Chi
Breathing practices
Meditative dances
Chanting, singing
Running
Repeating a mantra
Deep relaxation
Rituals and services
Listening for guidance
Inspirational reading
Conversations with God
Devotion and thanksgiving
Journal writing
Attuning to spirit in all existence – in people, plants, animals, the Earth and skies, in all events and circumstances.

A quick connecting with spirit at certain times and places – for instance on picking up the telephone, stopping for a traffic light, stepping outside the house, starting on a trip, beginning a meal.

Finding the ecstasy of music, art and poetry.

Being acutely aware of spirit expressed in beauty – colors, shapes, textures, sounds, fragrances, movement, order, perfection.

Joyfully receiving love.

Using the sense of wonder to increase awareness
of spirit.

Part Two
Living in Harmony with Spirit
Let spirit as compassion flow through you to others in caring for the spiritual, intellectual, physical needs of fellow members of the human family - your loved ones and also the millions you do not know personally.
Try to understand their ways. Forgive and ask
for forgiveness.

Dare to be the person you could be. Concentrate on being. Be positive rather than negative; be patient and gentle, yet firm; be joyful; be open to guidance; be courageous, bold and creative; be relaxed to self and centered in God.

Respect your mind, emotions and body as the temple of the soul. Eat carefully and exercise. Think clearly.

Cultivate your intuition. Relax.

Work for a great cause - world peace; protection of the planet; world cooperation; furthering knowledge; relief of suffering - poverty, famine, cruelty, injustice.

Be spiritually creative. Create peace out of discord, order out of chaos, form out of formlessness. Create a family, a home, a garden. Create a loving atmosphere. Create beauty. Create wholesome fun.

Let life and light and love flow through you into your
daily work.

Six Months Review
In order for you to keep attentive to your Spiritual Way, you are encouraged to review your spiritual condition every six months, in March and September. This is an evaluation for yourself but you may wish to share it with your spiritual friend. A difficult task, even when desired, is more likely to be accomplished if promised to someone else.