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

Questioning whether higher consciousness and ethical behavior are tightly correlated.

The founding of the Association for Spiritual Integrity (formerly the Association of Professional Spiritual Teachers).

The attempt to formulate a code of ethics that might apply universally in the contemporary spiritual community and enliven an understanding of what may or may not be appropriate, giving students greater confidence in their own discernment and discrimination.

Ancient traditions held the teacher beyond reproach and students surrendered their own will. This may have worked in monastic settings but generally does not work today.

Preventative support so we’re not busy doing cleanup.

Power hierarchies should not be an essential part of spiritual development and can lead to abuses.

Spiritual awakening does not necessarily qualify a person to offer advice on relationships, finances, etc.

Ethical training of some sort is integral to most honored traditions.

The issue of sexism and patriarchy in spiritual organizations.

Entering the teaching profession prematurely.

All too often, when teachers are challenged on their behavior, they ignore the challenger or become defensive.

How do we offer the possibility for redemption and atonement?

Moving away from a culture of competition to one of cooperation.

The importance of humility.

The importance of teachers not identifying with their role and thinking that students’ devotion is about them.

South Africa’s “Truth and Reconciliation” as a model.

Discussion of this panel in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.

Summary and Transcript of this discussion

Recorded October 27, 2018

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00:00 - The Disconnect Between Higher States of Consciousness and Ethical Behavior

00:02:15 - Developing a Universal Code of Ethics

00:04:11 - Creating Ethical Standards for Spiritual Teachers

00:06:04 - The Purpose of Spirituality

00:08:05 - Redesigning the Future of Spirituality

00:10:46 - Healing and Support

00:12:55 - Education and Growth as a Community

00:14:36 - The Importance of Addressing Abusive Power

00:17:01 - Opening up to Questions and Collaboration

00:19:03 - The Usefulness of CPE for Spiritual Teachers

00:20:34 - The Importance of Boundaries and Power Dynamics in Communities

00:22:31 - The Importance of Ethical Development in Spiritual Practice

00:25:03 - The Healing Power of Community

00:27:06 - Cedar Barstow: The Right Use of Power in Spirituality

00:29:03 - Equal Gender Representation

00:31:41 - The prevalence of gender imbalance and abuse in the community

00:34:07 - Moving beyond collective conditioning

00:36:31 - The Perpetual Debate on Relationships and Ethics

00:38:41 - The Spiritual Aspect of Trauma

00:40:39 - The Deep Desire Within

00:42:28 - Empowering Students and Demanding Accountability

00:43:57 - Premature Immaculation

00:46:21 - Challenging Ethics in the Spiritual Community

00:48:01 - Addressing Apologies, Making Amends, and Atonement

00:50:14 - Creating a Culture of Accountability

00:52:14 - Moving towards a culture of cooperation

00:53:57 - The Importance of Humility in Learning

00:55:25 - The Importance of a Deeper Student-Teacher Relationship

00:57:34 - Abuse of Power in Teaching and Learning

00:59:10 - Mutual Healing and Reconciliation

01:01:34 - The Birth of Something Helpful