With Jac O'Keeffe, Craig Holliday, Caverly Morgan, and Rick Archer

The Association for Spiritual Integrity does not have a moralistic, judgmental orientation. It’s a community endeavor. We don’t agree among ourselves on certain points. We’re trying to balance our subjective perspectives with standards that fit our contemporary culture.

The Association for Spiritual Integrity does not have a moralistic, judgmental orientation. It’s a community endeavor. We don’t agree among ourselves on certain points. We’re trying to balance our subjective perspectives with standards that fit our contemporary culture.

A key point of disagreement is the issue of teacher-student romantic/sexual relationships. None of us are rigid or adamant in our opinions. We’re trying to work it out.

There are exceptions to every generality. In graduate school, psychotherapists are taught that it will never be appropriate for therapists and their clients to become partners.

Relationships tend to be the most challenging aspect of people’s lives. These challenges shouldn’t bleed into a teacher’s teaching activities.

When a teacher/student or therapist/client relationship transitions into romantic involvement, the potential for growth is undermined.

Sometimes “divine compulsion” arises in your spiritual path, shattering your conception of appropriate behavior.

The problem with teachers who haven’t transcended desire and explored their own shadow.

There can be a huge disparity between the apparent enlightenment of a teacher and their behavior.

Isolation and being closed to constructive criticism can be very dangerous for a teacher.

If a teacher doesn’t have friends other than his students, he might want to ask why. If he doesn’t have regular relationships and is always on a pedestal, he won’t get real-world feedback.

The culture is changing anyway. We’re just trying to give voice to values that are becoming lively in collective consciousness.

There can be a lot of practice involved in having your actions be a reflection of your deepest understanding.

Discussion of this panel in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and Transcript of this discussion

Recorded October 26, 2018

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Panel Discussion Preparation

00:02:18 - Introduction of Panel Discussion and its Purpose

00:04:09 - The Fluidity of the Situation and the Need for Collaboration

00:05:42 - Discussing Regulation of Teacher-Student Relationships

00:07:13 - Teachers and romantic relationships with students

00:08:51 - The Importance of Boundaries in the Teacher-Student Relationship

00:10:02 - Messiness in Relationships and the Sangha

00:11:18 - The Importance of Boundaries in Therapeutic Relationships

00:12:27 - Breaking the Golden Rule

00:13:33 - Choosing God over my marriage

00:14:48 - The Journey of Teacher-Student Relationships

00:16:11 - Protecting Students from Teacher Misconduct

00:17:39 - Violation of Trust and its Consequences

00:19:01 - Projection into the Sangha

00:20:12 - Bringing the Conversation into the Light

00:21:24 - The Deception of Enlightened Teachers

00:22:29 - Building Accountability and Transparency

00:23:43 - The Power of Shared Accountability and Learning Together

00:24:57 - Reflections on Personal Growth

00:26:01 - Creating a Supportive Community

00:27:26 - Open Feedback and Accountability

00:28:33 - Dysfunction in Relationships and the Need for Community

00:29:31 - Coming together in support and solidarity

00:30:18 - Creating a new type of sangha

00:31:33 - The Importance of Continuous Learning and Growth

00:32:26 - Creating openness and transparency for genuine collaboration

00:33:38 - The Intractable Conversation

00:34:37 - The Importance of Ethics for Young Teachers

00:36:02 - Learning Boundaries and Working with Power

00:37:35 - The Gift of a Supportive Community