Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Code of Ethics
My pledge to you
As a mindfulness meditation teacher, I acknowledge that the foundation of my practice and teaching rests upon my integrity and on a mindful and caring relationship to the life around me.
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I aspire to teach the practices of mindfulness and compassion in a way that is beneficial to my students and to society.
I will teach and act with integrity and avoid causing harm through my words and deeds.
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I will continue to learn, practice, and develop my own understanding. Toward that end, I will maintain a regular, committed practice of mindfulness, including regular formal and daily life practice; attendance at retreats; ongoing reading, study, and training; and periodic consultation with a teacher.
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I will teach what I know and with humility be open about what I don’t know.
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I will conduct mindfulness training only in areas in which I am competent (based on training, appropriate licensure or credentialing, or professional experience).
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I aspire to uphold the following guiding ethical principles, common to wisdom traditions the world over, to the best of my ability for the long-term
benefit of myself and the communities I teach.
Honoring life, I will cultivate a reverence for all forms of life and refrain from causing harm to others. In my role as a mindfulness teacher, I will honor and respect all students and community members. I will not discriminate against or show disrespect for others based on their race, color, national origin/ancestry, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, military/veteran status, or marital status. I will treat with respect those who have different opinions, values, and attitudes than my own.
Honoring stewardship, I will bring mindfulness to the use of the earth’s resources. I will respect the property of others and not take that which does not belong to me. I will be honest in my dealings with money and material goods.
Honoring healthy sexual relations, I will avoid creating harm through the misuse of sexuality. I will not use my role as a teacher in order to develop a sexual relationship with a student or even to intimate that one is possible. This includes refraining from any form of sexual harassment, innuendo, suggestive comments, or sexual advances.
Honoring honesty, I will speak that which is true and useful and refrain from false speech and divisive or harmful gossip. As a teacher I will hold in confidence what is explicitly told to me in confidence. I will cultivate mindful, clear communication and bring the quality of lovingkindness and caring truthfulness to my speech. I will do what I can to prevent harmful speech between my students. I will not misrepresent my qualifications, certification, or expertise.
Honoring mindfulness, I will refrain from the misuse of intoxicants that cause heedlessness or loss of awareness. If I experience any personal troubles with addiction or substance abuse, I will consult with senior teachers and seek professional help to address them immediately.