Code of Ethics & Privacy Policy

At New York Mindfulness, we understand that the essence of a spiritual path is embedded in our mindful and compassionate interactions with our students and all forms of life. For those of us engaged in secular lifestyles, the absence of traditional monastic vows from the Theravada Buddhist heritage mindfulness is rooted in therefore asks us to adhere to Western-oriented ethical guidelines to guide our conduct as teachers.

As a result, as a group we have agreed to uphold the following ethical standards:

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1.       Non Killing and Non-Harming

We recognize our interconnectedness with all living beings and vow to honor every life form. We commit to cultivating a deeper perspective on non-violence and its application in our actions.

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2.       Respect for Possessions

We affirm our respect for what belongs to others and vow not to take what isn't ours. We pledge to use the Earth’s resources conscientiously and ecologically, deal honestly with finances, and refrain from misusing funds designated for Mindfulness projects. We aspire to offer teachings and programs equitably and will work to support students of different financial status equally.

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3.       Relationship Integrity

We are committed to preventing harm through our sexuality or through use of the power of the teacher’s role. We refrain from romantic relationships or engaging in harmful power dynamics with students or former students. In the very unlikely situation of romantic interest, all teachers ensure there is a minimal of 4 months between the end of the teacher-student relationship before initiating a romantic relationship with a previous student. When teaching, we adhere to the guidelines put forth by New York State in the Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy and Training which can be found here: https://www.ny.gov/combating-sexual-harassment-workplace/sexual-harassment-prevention-model-policy-and-training. In addition, we also commit to honing our expertise where the continuous refinement of our knowledge and skills assures the community of our capacity to contribute effectively, now and ongoing.

We aim to exercise sound judgment and work to apply our knowledge sagely. It entails evaluating our motives and remaining vigilant of the impact that challenging situations and internal biases may have on our decisions, ensuring community interests take precedence over personal gains.

We respect student rights, as we are given an influential role. This includes providing impartial treatment, combating discrimination and harassment, and abstaining from unjust practices.

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4.       Truthful Communication

We vow to speak truthfully, abstain from slander, and uphold confidentiality. We aim to nurture loving-kindness and integrity in our communication and maintain the privacy of confidential dialogues. Unless given express permission, we shall not disclose private discussions, whether during retreats, within articles, books, or online media.

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5.       Mindfulness in Consumption

Acknowledging the immense suffering caused by substance misuse, we resolve to refrain from intoxicant use during retreats or within retreat environments. We commit to the deliberate and mindful use of any substances outside of these contexts. While each teacher offers classes independently, as a group and movement we adhere to these guidelines to support the well being of our students and the mindfulness community at large.

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All teaching or hosting agreements are between the teacher and the organization - New York Mindfulness is not liable or responsible for any wrongdoing, accident or mishap occurring as a result of the teacher / organization agreement. New York Mindfulness offers a platform of visibility and offerings of teachers - it is not an organizing entity in and of itself.