UnityNet Practical Common Ground Principles for “A Life Well Lived”

The #UnityNet Practical Common Ground Principles for “A Life Well Lived” articulate a shared moral and cultural foundation for Regenerative Peacebuilding in the 21st century.

Rooted in Indigenous, interfaith, and humanist wisdom, these principles provide a bridge between spiritual insight and practical action — guiding how technology, governance, and community life can harmonize with the rhythms of nature and the dignity of all peoples.

Developed within the #UnityNet Interfaith Partnership Network, the framework supports cultural and ethical renewal across the growing ecosystem of Community CoREs (Centres of Regenerative Excellence) worldwide.

These hubs — such as the Leitchcroft CoRE in Markham, Canada — integrate art, dialogue, and digital ethics to ensure that every act of innovation remains grounded in compassion, listening, and the principle of shared humanity.

The document draws inspiration from the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together (Abu Dhabi Declaration) and resonates deeply with Ubuntu, Indigenous teachings of relationality, and the universal call to stewardship found in all traditions.

It celebrates the understanding that peace is not only the absence of conflict, but the active presence of empathy, learning, and creative cooperation.

Through “A Life Well Lived,” #UnityNet invites individuals, communities, and institutions to rediscover common ground — a moral ecosystem where faith meets science, art meets governance, and economics meets ethics.

It reminds us that the future we build depends on the values we embody: humility, gratitude, integrity, and joyful service.

This work complements the #UnityNet Youth Peace Weeks and the World Food Day 2025 celebration, “The Peace of God Within Music,” uniting the themes of nourishment, harmony, and cultural reconciliation.

Together, they form part of a wider movement toward Regenerative Development Goals (RDGs) — the next evolution beyond sustainability, empowering communities to thrive for generations to come.

“A Life Well Lived” is not only a philosophy; it is a practice — of listening, learning, and living in right relationship with one another and the Earth.

1. Lloyd Helferty, Biochar Consulting Canada
Co-Founder and Concept Coordinator, UnityNet International
UnityNet International provides programs, services, tools and infrastructure for Workforce Development
in Under-served Communities & Emerging Markets related to Sustainable & Regenerative Development (#RD)
Goods, Services and Social Programs.
#UnityNet recognizes the traditional territories and ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples worldwide and
honors their enduring stewardship of the Earth.
Practical “Common Ground” Principles for a “Life Well Lived”
What religions commonly teach about money/wealth
(phrases in plain text are paraphrase; short scriptural lines they’re kept minimal and conventional.)
 Christianity — Repeated warnings about wealth becoming an idol; wealth is a test of the
heart and should be used charitably. Famously: “You cannot serve God and mammon.”
(Matthew 6:24, succinct biblical teaching that money should not be ultimate).
Emphasis on charity, stewardship, and caring for the poor.

 Judaism — Wealth is a blessing when earned righteously and used for justice and charity
(tzedakah). There’s strong ethical emphasis on honest business, care for the stranger, and
avoiding exploitation.

 Islam — Wealth is a trust from God; believers must avoid greed and practice zakat
(obligatory almsgiving) and sadaqah (voluntary charity). The Qur’an and prophetic teachings
caution against making wealth one’s ultimate goal.

 Hinduism — Classical teaching recognizes artha (wealth) as one aim of life, but places it in
a hierarchy with dharma (duty/ethics) and moksha (liberation). Detachment and right
conduct are stressed: wealth shouldn’t become the end that prevents spiritual duties.

 Buddhism — Teaching centers on desire/attachment as sources of suffering.
Right livelihood and moderation are key: wealth obtained and used without greed is
preferable to covetousness.

 Sikhism — Encourages honest work (kirat karni), sharing (vand chhakna), and
remembering the Divine over attachment to possessions; community support is
emphasized.

 Jainism — Strong ethics of non-attachment and non-harm extend into economics:
asceticism and restraint are virtues; wealth that harms others is rejected.

 Taoism / Confucianism — Focus on simplicity, moderation, moral conduct. Confucianism
emphasizes righteousness over profit; Taoism values returning to simplicity rather than
chasing material accumulation.

 Baháʼí — Encourages moderation, service, equitable sharing, and the use of wealth for the
common good; extremes of poverty and wealth are discouraged.

 Indigenous spiritualities (many traditions) — Common themes: reciprocity with the
land, viewing resources as communal and sacred, condemning accumulation that damages
the web of life.

Common thread: across traditions money is instrumental — a tool for meeting needs,
caring for family, and supporting community — but dangerous when it becomes the
primary object of worship or the measure of human worth.
Most faiths promote generosity, ethical earning, moderation, stewardship of the earth,
and an orientation toward relation rather than accumulation.

2. Lloyd Helferty, Biochar Consulting Canada
Co-Founder and Concept Coordinator, UnityNet International
UnityNet International provides programs, services, tools and infrastructure for Workforce Development
in Under-served Communities & Emerging Markets related to Sustainable & Regenerative Development (#RD)
Goods, Services and Social Programs.
#UnityNet recognizes the traditional territories and ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples worldwide and
honors their enduring stewardship of the Earth.

Practical “Common Ground” principles as faith-neutral values

Short, faith-neutral values that map easily to scripture/teachings from many traditions:

1. Stewardship — Land and water are trust/creation to be cared for, not commodities to
be exhausted.

2. Moderation — Rejecting excess consumption; valuing sufficiency and resilience.

3. Generosity & Sharing — Surplus is shared in order to meet community needs and to
heal inequalities.

4. Right/Living-Earning — Income should come from fair, non-harmful livelihoods.

5. Reciprocity — The community gives back to the environment and supports those
who protect it.

6. Transparency & Accountability — Financial decisions affecting common resources
must be open and accountable.

7. Subsidiarity & Local Wealth Building — Favor local benefit: local jobs, local
procurement, and community-led finance.

8. Restorative Justice — Repair harms caused by extractive practices; apply shared
funds to restoration.

9. Sacred Economics — Money is useful but never sacred; spiritual life and
relationships are primary.

The common spiritual ground:

“All our traditions call us to care for creation, to avoid
worship of wealth, and to share with those in need.”

3. Lloyd Helferty, Biochar Consulting Canada
Co-Founder and Concept Coordinator, UnityNet International
UnityNet International provides programs, services, tools and infrastructure for Workforce Development
in Under-served Communities & Emerging Markets related to Sustainable & Regenerative Development (#RD)
Goods, Services and Social Programs.
#UnityNet recognizes the traditional territories and ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples worldwide and
honors their enduring stewardship of the Earth.
What the Great Traditions Say about a “Life Well Lived”

Christianity
A life well lived is one of love, service, and faithfulness:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)
Fulfillment comes not through possessions but through generosity, humility, and
following the path of Christ-like compassion.

Judaism
A life well lived is one of justice (tzedek), compassion, and joy in creation.
“Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
To be righteous is to contribute to tikkun olam — the healing of the world.

Islam
The Qur’an teaches balance — serving Allah, seeking knowledge, caring for others, and
living ethically:
“The best among you are those who bring greatest benefit to others.” (Hadith)
A good life is a life of service, moderation, and gratitude.

Hinduism
A life well lived harmonizes dharma (right action), artha (livelihood), kama (joy), and
moksha (liberation).
It’s about fulfilling one’s duties with integrity and detachment — living in accordance
with the deeper order of the universe.

Buddhism
The Buddha describes the good life as one of mindful awareness, right livelihood, and
compassion for all beings.
Freedom from suffering comes from letting go of greed and ego — living with peace in
the present moment.

Sikhism
“Truth is high, but higher still is truthful living.” (Guru Nanak)
A well-lived life is grounded in honest work, sharing with others, and remembering the
Divine in all actions.

4. Lloyd Helferty, Biochar Consulting Canada
Co-Founder and Concept Coordinator, UnityNet International
UnityNet International provides programs, services, tools and infrastructure for Workforce Development
in Under-served Communities & Emerging Markets related to Sustainable & Regenerative Development (#RD)
Goods, Services and Social Programs.
#UnityNet recognizes the traditional territories and ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples worldwide and
honors their enduring stewardship of the Earth.
Taoism
A good life flows with the Tao — the natural order.
Simplicity, spontaneity, and balance are key.
“He who knows he has enough is rich.” (Lao Tzu)

Confucianism
A well-lived life fulfills duty, virtue, and harmony in relationships.
“To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue: gravity,
generosity, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” (Confucius)

Indigenous & Earth-Based Spiritualities
A well-lived life is one of reciprocity, relationship, and respect for all beings.
One lives well when the land, water, and community thrive together.
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”
(Proverb shared among many traditions)

Baháʼí Faith
A good life is a life of service — contributing to the advancement of civilization and unity
of humankind.
“Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship.”


The Common Thread
Across the world’s wisdom traditions, a life well lived is:
 Purposeful — directed toward service, justice, and love.
 Balanced — integrating material, social, and spiritual wellbeing.
 Relational — honoring kinship with people, land, and the sacred.
 Generous — using talents and resources to uplift others.
 Mindful — aware of impermanence, grateful for the present.
 Restorative — healing oneself and the community.


A life well lived is not one that accumulates wealth, but one that
cultivates wholeness — harmony among self, others, nature,
and the divine.

5. Lloyd Helferty, Biochar Consulting Canada
Co-Founder and Concept Coordinator, UnityNet International
UnityNet International provides programs, services, tools and infrastructure for Workforce Development
in Under-served Communities & Emerging Markets related to Sustainable & Regenerative Development (#RD)
Goods, Services and Social Programs.
#UnityNet recognizes the traditional territories and ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples worldwide and
honors their enduring stewardship of the Earth.

The Covenant of the Watershed Peace Councils
An Interfaith Reflection on “A Life Well Lived”

To live well is to live in right relationship — with ourselves, with
one another, with the land and waters that sustain us, and with
the Spirit that moves through all things.

Across our diverse paths, the wisdom is the same: love over greed,
purpose over possession, stewardship over exploitation.

Money serves life; life does not serve money.

A life well lived leaves more life behind — cleaner waters,
stronger communities, more compassion in the hearts of those
who come after us.

This is the work of our time, and the Covenant of the
Watershed Peace Councils:

 To live well by helping all beings live well.

6. Lloyd Helferty, Biochar Consulting Canada
Co-Founder and Concept Coordinator, UnityNet International
UnityNet International provides programs, services, tools and infrastructure for Workforce Development
in Under-served Communities & Emerging Markets related to Sustainable & Regenerative Development (#RD)
Goods, Services and Social Programs.
#UnityNet recognizes the traditional territories and ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples worldwide and
honors their enduring stewardship of the Earth.

Interfaith Discussion Guide #1: “A Life Well Lived”

Purpose
To explore shared values across faiths that define a life well lived — and to inspire stewardship,
compassion, and creativity in service to our shared home, the watershed.

Opening Quote
“A Life Well Lived leaves more life behind — cleaner waters, stronger
communities, and more compassion in the hearts of those who come after us.”

Reflective Prompts
1. In your faith or tradition, what does it mean to “live well”?
o Is it Love? Service? Wisdom? Harmony? Gratitude?
2. What is our relationship to money, nature, and purpose in that teaching?
o How do we keep wealth as a tool, not a master?
3. How can our community express these teachings through the Watershed Peace Councils?
o What might “right livelihood,” “stewardship,” or “generosity” look like in practice?
4. What would it mean for our children and grandchildren to inherit not only clean water, but the
moral and cultural wisdom to protect it?

Shared Wisdom (summaries for reflection)
Tradition Common Message
Christianity Love and service define true wealth.
Islam Gratitude and moderation guide the good life.
Judaism Justice and compassion heal the world (tikkun olam).
Hinduism Right action and harmony lead to liberation.
Buddhism Mindfulness and compassion bring peace.
Sikhism Honest work, sharing, and remembrance of God.
Indigenous Teachings Reciprocity and respect for all living beings.

Closing Affirmation
“Across our paths and prayers, we know this: life’s purpose is not possession
but participation — in the living web of love, water, and creation.”

7. Lloyd Helferty, Biochar Consulting Canada
Co-Founder and Concept Coordinator, UnityNet International
UnityNet International provides programs, services, tools and infrastructure for Workforce Development
in Under-served Communities & Emerging Markets related to Sustainable & Regenerative Development (#RD)
Goods, Services and Social Programs.
#UnityNet recognizes the traditional territories and ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples worldwide and
honors their enduring stewardship of the Earth.
Interfaith Discussion Guide #2: “A Life Well Lived”

A Life Well Lived: Interfaith Reflections on Purpose, Stewardship, and Spirit

Purpose
To explore shared spiritual teachings about what it means to live well — and to reorient our relationship
to money, purpose, and the natural world in harmony with the sacred.

Opening Quote
“A life well lived leaves more life behind — cleaner waters, stronger communities, and more
compassion in the hearts of those who come after us.”

Discussion Prompts
1. In your faith or wisdom tradition, what is a “life well lived”?
2. How does your tradition guide the use of wealth, work, and time?
3. What are examples of right livelihood or sacred service in your community?
4. How might these values guide the work of the Watershed Peace Councils?
5. What does interconnectedness mean in your faith?
6. What legacy do we wish to leave to the next generation in our watershed?

Shared Wisdom (summaries for reflection)
Tradition Core Teaching
Christianity Love, humility, and service define true wealth.
Judaism Justice and compassion repair the world (tikkun olam).
Islam Gratitude, moderation, and charity lead to balance.
Hinduism Harmony and right action fulfill life’s purpose.
Buddhism Mindfulness and detachment bring peace.
Sikhism Honest work, sharing, and devotion uplift community.
Indigenous Teachings All life is sacred; reciprocity sustains balance.
Bahá’í Work in service to others is worship.
Taoism / Confucianism Simplicity, virtue, and harmony with the Way.

Closing Affirmation
“Across all paths, we are called to live in right relationship —
with each other, with the Earth, and with the Spirit that moves through all things.”