Principles of Partnership Religion and Spirituality
1. Leaving behind domination-based beliefs
The word "religion" is based on the Latin word "religare," meaning "to bind." In a Domination culture, we are bound to those "above" us who control us. In a partnership culture, we are bound to one another, and to all life. As we move toward partnership religion and spirituality, we move away from a wrathful male God and hierarchies of domination. We shift from a morality of rigid, insensitive rules that privilege those on top, to a hierarchy of actualization allowing for diversity and the full expression of our evolutionary capacities for consciousness, caring, and creativity. We shift from rote obedience to a 'higher' external force exerting power over us to alignment with our own highest potentials.
"We are all part of an exquisitely interwoven web of life that is part of a resurging partnership consciousness. Deep inside we all carry this consciousness—it lies behind the profound connection many of us feel with nature." - Riane Eisler, Power of Partnership, p. 174
2. Embodied spirituality and pleasure
Attitudes toward pleasure and pain in the world's religions reflect where a culture is on the domination/partnership continuum. As we move toward partnership, we shift from a morality based on the infliction and suffering of pain to one that also embraces and celebrates pleasure.
"Partnership spirituality recognizes pain as part of the human experience. It recognizes the pain of birth, death, illness, sadness, rejection, and other inevitable hurts, and when possible, comforts us. Partnership spirituality also recognizes that pain can bring about psychic growth. But it does not hold that suffering is necessary for spiritual development." - Riane Eisler, Power of Partnership, p. 188
3. Awareness, empathy, and respect lead to moral action
Eisler urges us to embrace a clear set of moral standards based on consciousness of the world around us, listening to our inner wisdom, and treating others with respect and care.
"A morality for partnership relations has basic standards rather than a patchwork of contradictory rules. Its primary standard is the moral imperative of moving through our lives with awareness, empathy, and respect." —Riane Eisler, Power of Partnership, p. 195
4. Putting love into action
At their root, all world religions and spiritual traditions emphasize love. Partnership spirituality includes the Golden Rule extended in all directions. Partnership principles support the expression of care and love, including care of self, others, and Earth.
"I believe the voice of love is the real voice of God, of that mysterious cosmic energy that brought us the beauty of stars and sunsets, of caring and creativity, of all that gives joy and meaning to our lives. I believe that we all have this inner voice of love, and we all can help build a world where love is embodied, nature is respected, and our human need for fairness and caring is honored. All we need is spiritual courage....ultimately spirituality is not just talking about love. It is putting love into action." - Riane Eisler, Power of Partnership, p. 197
