A family of light is woven with spiritual principles. Its members do what is right according to their spirit — they live from the heart. This lifestyle radiates love, openness, fun, and enjoyment, and reflects a transcendental yet grounded view of reality. Although a family of light is a moral unit, it's not necessarily moralistic in the traditional sense.

Mainstream culture deals with three moralistic possibilities: the moral, immoral, and amoral. The first usually offers black and white solutions to complex human problems, which often results in hypocrisy. For example, "Thou shalt not kill" is a common rule. Yet, leaders start wars that kill thousands of innocent people, receive support from their followers, and act righteous about what they've done. The second option, being immoral, means that we break moral rules and live in sin. Religious people expect, perhaps rightly at times, that sinners should feel guilty for what they've done. Guilt, at least on the surface, shows that the offender realizes that he has done wrong. The third option is to be amoral. Here, the person rejects both the moral rules and the guilt. Many fundamentalists portray this attitude as being socially irresponsible and indifferent to others. And people have used it as such.

Least mentioned is a fourth option: listening to your heart, inner voice, or spirit. Most of today's traditional moral codes sprang from the heart of some spiritual leader. However, those original codes eventually hardened into dogma and, for the most part, died. Moralists condemn following one's heart though. They say it's an outgrowth of relativism. Rationally, it can look that way. It's easy to abuse: people have used "Spirit told me" as an excuse to justify following their ego. But although no system is perfect, some are more alive than others. Aside from moralists, other forces oppose following one's spirit.

For instance, the workplace implements its own set of values that shape our moral perceptions and decisions. Corporate culture has replaced common considerations with a simple directive: increase short-term profits. That's the point at which concern for others and for the environment must end. If caring and compassion diminishes that directive, then we must overlook them in favor of profit.

In addition, popular culture warns us not to be foolish and to distrust others. We should get our money's worth. Unfortunately, these attitudes hinder relationships. Many people spend most of their day in the workplace environment, so it's natural that they bring home some of those views. As a result, both the family and society have suffered. At first, people blamed the system for this, but soon the experts turned it around. They said that blaming the system was a "cop out." Instead, we should take responsibility for our actions. In truth, both views were right: that system does promote disruptive values and philosophies, and we are responsible if we adopt them. Solid and loving unions are based on trust and aren't too concerned about shopping around for the best deal or the latest model. They don't treat the other person as an "item."

What follows are virtues that don't fit into the workplace mentality but promote healthy and loving relationships. You find these elements in a family of light. Virtues, by the way, are practices or attitudes that build relationships rather than degrade them. These relationships needn't be the traditional husband/wife/child units.They can be close partnerships or friendships of any kind. If love is at the foundation, then Life, the Universe, or the Great What-It-Is has blessed it.

Although each topic deserves at least a chapter for itself, I've kept it short, like a sketch. Everyone has experienced them before and is familiar with them to some extent.