Unitarian Universalism’s First Principle

When we used to meet to meditate together in person before Covid, we met at the First Unitarian Church in Providence. On the bulletin board in the Moon Room where we practiced, there is a small poster with the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism, which are a guide for those who join the church and participate in their activities.

The first principle is that “We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person.”

This is where everything starts. If we don’t accept that principle, then the rest are… let’s say, incomplete and as a result, less powerful in their support of our moral compass. If we don’t believe “every person” has “inherent worth and dignity,” then we give ourselves permission to write off or ignore certain people or groups of people as “less than” or “unworthy.”

Here are some definitions that may help us contemplate “inherent worth and dignity.”

Worth — noun: high value or merit.

Dignity — noun: the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect, a sense of pride in oneself; self-respect.

In our practice last week, during the open awareness period at the end, I read a few phrases. The intention was not to analyze them, but just to see how you felt in the body, the heart, and the mind when you heard them. Perhaps you could read these slowly right now and notice how you feel after reading each one.

• You are okay, just the way you are.
  
• There is nothing wrong with you.
  
• You are not broken. You don’t need fixing.
  
• You are an innately and unconditionally good, whole, and beautiful human being.
  
• The world needs your unique gifts.
  
• You are okay, just the way you are.

So, my question to you is, “Do you include yourself in the category of ‘every person’? Do accept your own inherent worth and dignity? Worthy of honor, a sense of self-respect, high value or merit? Or is there some holding back when you consider your own worth and dignity?”

The thought that we have to put others first, caring for them, looking out for them, can often lead us to consider ourselves as less than or not part of the group “everyone,” excluding ourselves from the love and care that we so readily offer to others.

I do accept and affirm the First Principle of the UU Church. It echoes what we experience in our practice; that there is a place of refuge in each of us that is open, accepting, and compassionate. We have all experienced some moments of this in our lives.

The goal of our spiritual practice is to connect with our innate goodness, the realization of our inherent worth and dignity, and make this place of refuge a day-to-day reality in our lived experience.