We understand “what is most deeply right” to include a pattern of Integrity, Honor, Hospitality, and Reciprocity based not on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality, but instead upon the common worth of all humanity, as dictated by the principle of heart-knowledge. We define heart-knowledge as the inborn capability of understanding and acting in accordance with common decency: the quality or state of being kind, fair, honest, and good. Therefore, as practitioners of Syrenity, we ask of all our actions:

• Is this kind?
• Is this fair/equitable?
• Is this honest?
• Is this for the greater good?

“To be a witch is to be heart-wise”, but it is what we do with that state-of-being that matters in practice and in the world. The ultimate entire point of establishing heart-knowledge is to come to understand ourself within the mundane world as well as the Otherworlds in relationship. If all that we do is learn this information and then internalize it, the only thing with which we wind up in relationship is ourselves, and too many people in our world have a profound relationship with the self already! Everything cannot point solely inward; when this becomes the case, it leads to things such as entitlement and pomposity.

So how, exactly, does one put this sort of wisdom into practice? How does one actively live out heart-knowledge? One must begin from the zero-point: that state of un-narrowness into which we are all initially born which is free, giving, open, strong, unlimited, accepting, broad, generous, liberal, tolerant, unconfined, unrestricted, and wide, rather than narrowness, which is a learned behavior which seeks to oppress, distress, and brings anguish. Living from that un-narrow zero-point builds in us an open and mindful awareness that is free from anxiety or judgment. Rather than asking of a given situation “what should I do?” or even “what should I think?”, it instead asks solely “what is this in its totality?”. The “individualized totality” of that situation then necessarily reaches its branches outward into the interconnected totality of the Universe. From this vantage point of microcosm within macrocosm, we become more able to see the potentialities of a situation, rather than turning our vision backwards and internalizing, via preconceived notions which attempt to predict a defined outcome that can’t actually be predicted. That usual sort of internalized view is where assumptions are born, and assumptions rarely serve us well. They lead to confusion and misunderstanding; maybe even outright fights.

We practice this heart-knowledge through living our lives in a “heart-wisdom-way”. This might best be understood as living life in a way that is “commonsensical”: balanced, ethical, compassionate, and useful (symbiotic). Those are the principles of the Heart-Way’s operation as well as its processes: acting through those principles, the Heart-Way creates gradual change that leads toward particular results, which are synonymous with balance, ethics, compassion, and symbiosis. When taken together, all of this defines for us the primary function of the Heart-Way, which is to radiate balance, decency, and compassion out into the world, while further promoting symbiosis (its “use”). Therefore, as practitioners of Syrenity:

We practice Integrity.

Integrity is understood to encompass Honesty, Equity, and Deeds and is defined as: “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness; the state of being whole and undivided; the condition of being unified, unimpaired, or sound; internal consistency or lack of corruption.” Integrity maintains balance: true balance isn’t as basic as “one thing or another”. Instead, it is about the flow of all things, at the same time. Every entity impacts every other entity in the Universe, precisely as in a natural ecosystem. We slowly come to understand that every distinct biome is simply a microcosm of the greater macrocosm, and that we must find our own place within that “map”. Once we realize that place, it then becomes a matter of personal integrity (honesty, equity, deeds) to behave in ways which do not negatively effect the Universe which ever-surrounds us.

• Honesty: The basic principle of honesty is to be fair and straightforward in conduct; it implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way. It implies trustworthiness, incorruptibility, and a strict adherence to one’s word.
  • Treat everyone with honesty and fairness, including yourself, and always strive to be a person of your word.
  • Never lie or break your word.
  • Keep your promises.
  • Be guileless.
  • Never shirk your responsibilities nor make excuses for not meeting them; instead, prove yourself worthy to the tasks set forth.
  • Always pay your debts.

• Equity: Equity is “the quality of being fair and impartial”; in other words, it is fair-mindedness. Rather than treating everyone exactly the same way (equality), equity demands that we practice empathy, in an attempt to give people what they need to be successful, which may be quite different from person to person and case to case. Some people may require a little more of us; others may require a bit less. To truly practice equity, we must necessarily start from a place of equality, recognizing that like us, that other person is human, regardless of race, sex, gender, etc. From that place, we may more easily practice the empathy required to practice true equity, and provide what is needed. At our first interaction with a person, we should expect the same in return.
  • Treat everyone with fairness, including yourself.
  • Never practice prejudice nor bigotry by labeling or mistreating others.
  • Do not allow others to participate in such acts of prejudice or bigotry.
  • Treat everyone with equity, and expect the same.

• Deeds: Deeds are the outward sign of Integrity. They are evidence of a person’s character.
  • Realize that the best of one’s abilities is all that anyone can offer, and be not only grateful for those areas in which you may excel, but also gracious with them, offering those abilities and talents as gifts to others in the world.