The Order of Universal Interfaith (OUnI)

A path for
Interfaith (Multifaith)-Interspiritual-Integral
service to all...

A Home to interfaith-interspiritual-integral community
"inclusive theology, inclusive spirituality and inclusive consciousness"
The "Touch of the Divine".
One symbol to represent ALL symbols



The Order of Universal Interfaith (OUnI) is an organized religious body providing an
ecclesiastical home for interfaith, interspiritual and integral men and women from all faith
and spiritual paths, cultures and ethnic groups while promoting "inclusive theology,
spirituality and consciousness."  While the world is going through a transformation of its
outlook of spirituality and religion, our institutions and governments are not keeping up
with the radical changes taking place.  OUnI was created as one "ecclesiastical body" for
spiritual people of all faiths to be a bridge that brings credibility and accreditation to those
who want to serve the world spiritually.  

Professional Ecclesiastical Service to All Faith and Spiritual Paths

All individuals who pledge to The Order receive canonical stature based on education and
training.  The categories of service include ordained or co-ordained Interfaith (Interspiritual
or Integral) Cleric and Minister, Celebrant, Aspirant, 'Wisdom Keeper' from other
traditions, and Wayfarers (laity).  

The clergy come from the world's interfaith, multifaith, interspiritual, and integral
seminaries.  With demonstrated life practices, clergy also come from single-path seminaries
and programs which have been supplemented by other training and education.  All clergy
are called to a path of service to all people in activities such as hospital, hospice, education,
community and government service and administration.  

OUnI clergy and lay members are now serving literally around the world.

Rich Spiritual Expression

All service is based on the principles of Universal Interfaith (UnI).  These principles are
summarized by the initials which are pronounced "You and I."  On January 2, 2009, the
Board of Directors approved the first "Statement of Faith" which articulates the principles
of Universal Interfaith.  OUnI is a home for "inclusive theology and consciousness."

There are also several spiritual communities within OUnI that honor a deeper expression of
the teachings of traditional paths and spiritual visionaries.  The communities give all who
participate in the Order the chance to have a fruitful and blessed daily spiritual practice
according to the needs of their heart and soul.


A Leader in the Growing Interfaith (Multifaith)-Interspiritual-Integral
Movement






OUnI is the founding member and organizing administrator for the new ecclesiastical body
that will hold and support the Interfaith-Multifaith-Interspiritual movement which includes:
Council of Interfaith Communities of the US (CIC-USA)
World Council of Interfaith Communities (WCIC)

On January 9, 2010, the first (co)ordination ceremony for OUnI took place in Washington,
DC which included the consecration of the Universal Order of Sannyasa (now called the
Community of the Mystic Heart or CMH) and the first class of recipients of the  "Interfaith
Interspiritual Sage" Award was named.  A sixth member of the first class was named on
April 23, 2010 in New York City.  The first international co-ordination took place in London,
U.K. in July 2010.  The last ceremony of 2010 was in Sedona Arizona USA on September 25,
2010.  It included the community consecration of the "integral Spirituality Nexus" or iSN.
The seventh and final "Sage," the first Integral Sage, was named at this time.  On April 17,
2011, the Universalus Interspiritual Community became the first organized geographic
community under the OUnI umbrella.  On October 2, 2011, we welcomed the "Community of
Holistic Theology" to the family.  Three new communities await their creation ceremony.









What is "Interfaith?"

In keeping with the definitions approved in August 2009 by the Board of Directors of the
Council of Interfaith Communities of the U.S., the term "Interfaith" is now used to refer to:

1) the spiritual practices that promote dialogue between religions;

2) the worship and service based on the rites, beliefs and practices of the
world's religions and new revelations as they are revealed;

3) the shared worship and community building between spiritual people
from a variety of faith paths and traditions; and

4) all other activities that have been described through terms such as
"multifaith," "interspiritual," "intrareligious," "transpath," and "omnispiritual."  

What is "InterSpirituality?"

Brother Wayne Teasdale coined the word "Interspirituality" in 1999.  The following short
definition combines his, given in his book The Mystic Heart:  Discovering a Universal
Spirituality in the World's Religions, with that of the first interspiritual community under
the OUnI umbrella:  

Interspirituality:  The common heritage of humankind's spiritual wisdom; the sharing of
mystical resources across traditions; the intersubjective discussion about what humankind
is experiencing; the movement of these discussions to the experience of Oneness.

Joining the Community of The Mystic Heart invites you into a dynamic discussion of what is
unfolding worldwide through interspirituality.  This is a formative time for CMH (originally
founded as Brother Wayne Teasdale's "Universal Order of Sannyasa") and a time when you
can be part of what is evolving in interspirituality, and interspiritual community, at such a
crucial time for the world.

Joining the Universalus Interspiritual Community (Baltimore, Maryland USA) allows the
seeker to find a physical community with a wide variety of practices and growth geared to
all people and all faith paths.

What is "Integral Spirituality?"

Integral Spirituality, as articulated by American philosopher and visionary, Ken Wilber, is
the combining of a spiritual lifestyle based on one continuing on the spiritual path or
religion which one is on with the knowledge of the "states and stages" of the Integral Life
Practice. This vision was described in the seminal work, Integral Spirituality:  A Startling
New Role for Religion in the Modern and Postmodern World.  There are many different
"flavors" of Integral Spirituality based on the initial faith path the practitioner is walking
in their life.  There is even an evolving "Universal Integral Spirituality" that calls for one
to walk multiple paths and/or in the common elements of all the world's religions.


Explore our website and learn about our mission, vision, and contributions to the world, and
our relationship to the Interfaith community.

May love, peace and blessings be yours,
Rev. Joyce Liechenstein M.Div. Ph.D. OUnI
Secretary General of The Order




Updated: January 2, 2012
(c) copyright 2009-2012 by Order of Universal Interfaith, Inc.
Washington, District of Columbia USA
Picture used with the permission of Rev. Sharon Gervasoni, OUnI
OUnI is a member of the
North American Interfaith
Network.  The Order was an
invited speaker to NAIN
Connect 2010 in Salt Lake
CIty, UT USA.
OUnI was a presenting  
organization at the
Parliament of World Religions
in December 2009. (Held
every 5 years)
Please listen to an invitation to serve...
OUnI members created and run the
United Nation's World Interfaith
Harmony Week Breakfast program all
over the world.
OUnI members are part of
the United Nation's
Eco-Spirituality Working
Group and leadership in
the NGO: Center for
Women, Earth and the
Divine.
OUnI members are founders
and leaders of the national
program to honor the
Chaplains serving after the
attacks of September 11, 2001