Three principles
Bamboo is a community open to all who seek to live a life of deep connection with others and all creation, grounded in the mystery that underpins our lives. Seeking to be 'contemplatives in action' we affirm life, love and justice through our commitment to the following foundational principles:
We aim to express this commitment within and across all the domains of our lives - personal, family, community and the broader society.
Bamboo encourages you to identify and enact concrete ways to live out your personal commitment to each of the three principles in your daily lives, according to your personal situation and context.
Bamboo is non-prescriptive in outlining what qualifies for a legitimate expression of these principles. There is an ever-present, open invitation to begin, continue or further deepen one's practice as desired. Bamboo seeks to bypass the numerous divisions and silos that separate people from each other, focusing on our points of unity and shared interdependence.
Living simply
Living simply begins with an attitude of gratitude, reverence and care for all life. It is life affirming, recognising the beauty of the world and the healing effects of nature and speaks to our desire to be reconciled with all creation. It fosters creative engagement with our reality, encouraging us to tread lightly on the earth and to strengthen our understanding of and practical connection with the natural world and each other.
In addition to one's personal lifestyle and actions, living simply might involve some collective activity with others in the network, initiating a local activity or joining others in their initiatives eg arts and culture projects, land projects, community gardens, environment groups.
Solidarity
Solidarity is an expression of our shared humanity and our interdependence. Solidarity is expressed through an attitude of hospitality and loving service that permeates one's daily life. It is given expression in our care for each other and prioritises those who are excluded or marginalised. It might include volunteering to serve those most in need, engagement in reconciliation initiatives, involvement in arts and cultural projects that promote justice or engagement in community actions to address injustice.
Contemplation
A rhythm of contemplation fosters a spirit of gratitude, the capacity to both listen to our interior movements and read the 'signs of the times', and a growing freedom to respond with love and integrity. The regular practice of contemplation, together with critical analysis aimed at promoting life-giving lifestyles at local and global levels, provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the foundational principles, specifically how we are living these, on our commitment to them and how this is shaping us and our world.
Members seek to live as 'contemplatives in action', developing a rhythm of contemplation - daily, weekly, monthly, yearly - according to their individual circumstances. For some, this might be as simple as taking a short time each day to foster the capacity to live as 'contemplatives in action'; for others it might involve a more substantial commitment to developing and nurturing the inner life. Some people might seek out opportunities to join with people from their own and other faith traditions to share one another's wisdom and insights, to come together in silent reflection or to develop new ways to express the unity we share. Others may participate solely on a personal level.
