An exploration into ethics and spirituality…
When I was quite young I met an extraordinary spiritual teacher named David and apprenticed with him for 20 years. During that time, he met me with such love, compassion, honesty and integrity—that I was forever changed. Beyond this training, I also spent time with Adyashanti, and a few other mature, adult, grounded and deeply enlightened teachers. I thought having personal access to a great teacher and good solid teachings was “normal” on the path. I can humbly admit that I took my relationship with my root teacher David for granted. I had open door access to a great Master who lived by impeccable Divinity and simply expected the same of all spiritual teachers.
Over the years, I began to realize that not everyone had such a teacher; I realized that this type of relationship was not the norm, but rather quite rare.
After I began teaching for a few years, I saw that a number of individuals, were coming to me from other teachers sharing stories of confusing, inappropriate, misguided and unethical behavior and interactions—often in an environment of great spiritual presence. At first, I was shocked by such behavior, especially when there were incredible allegations of abuse or sexual assault. For many years I was plagued by this question of “How could a great spiritual teacher also have such a great unconscious shadow?” (“shadow” referring to unresolved issues and personal struggles.)
As I matured though, I began to realize that we are all human, and we are all “works in progress;” we are all evolving. It doesn’t matter if a teacher has superior training in advanced yogic or meditation techniques, or if they possess great insight and are very kind and generous with a big heart. Everyone has a shadow. As I like to say, “if it has a form, it has a shadow.”
Relationships between teachers and students can become messy when our unconscious shadows are involved, creating confusion at the least and serious abuse at the worst. (Of course, if you find yourself in a situation of abuse or manipulation it is wise to immediately leave such an environment and contact the appropriate authorities.)
Many teachers do not know how to work with the messiness of human psychology, whether that be their own psychology or how to work with the psychology of their students. Spiritual teaching is very much like working as a therapist; it involves a movement toward greater growth and awakening, letting go of that which is unhealthy, and getting in touch with our innate wisdom.
It’s time…
With numerous scandals in the greater spiritual teaching community coming to light this past summer, we are again reminded that some spiritual teachers do not know how to set clear boundaries with their students, including emotional, romantic, sexual and professional boundaries. Many also do not know to work with the complex experience of projection, transference or countertransference, or how to handle issues involving power, projection, sexual attraction and spiritual transmission without falling into their traps. Some teachers have studied scripture, but have no training in shadow work, or have ever been to therapy. It is because of this lack of shadow work that teachers can fall into great pain and confusion, and then in turn, share this pain and confusion within their communities.
As a result of this realization, Rick Archer, Jac O’Keeffe and myself founded the Association of Professional Spiritual Teachers (APST) this year, a nonprofit organization. We want to create an evolving educational environment for teachers to grow professionally together, as a community. Our goal is to create a space of learning how to live in greater alignment with the Truth, so that these teachings may be shared from a space of both clarity and professionalism.
At the core of the APST is a Code of Ethics for teachers, and Guidelines for Students to help steer us along the path towards greater professional growth and integrity. Over this last year the APST Code of Ethics has received input from over 20 teachers and many students and leaders in the community. We aim to be a space for progressive growth and evolve professionally so that we may better serve. It is through an investigation of one’s relationship with ethics, transparency, professionalism, and integrity that we will begin to show up more fully in alignment with Truth and share in a way that leads to greater healing and the expansion of compassion in our world.
I invite you to visit the Association of Professional Spiritual Teachers (APST). There are many ways you can support the APST, and registration is open for those who are spiritual teachers and spiritual leaders to join with us in this investigation of ethics and spirituality. Your feedback is welcome.
