Practical guidelines for a safe, respectful, and clear-minded community.
The mission of The Meditation Center (Center) is to offer yoga training, guidance, and education to assist everyone in fostering their own personal spiritual development. As such, the Center has adopted the following practical Code of Conduct and Policies. Anyone violating any of these policies will be asked to leave.
There might be some in our community who drink alcohol, smoke, or take other mind-altering substances, and in some U.S. states, marijuana is legal as well. The Meditation Center does not judge or prohibit any behaviors outside of the center. However, while on TMC properties, and while completing meditational and other practices, the Meditation Center expects everyone to have a clear mind and not to be under the influence of any mind-altering substances.
The mission of the Meditation Center is to help people find inner peace and enlightenment while fostering loving relationships. Ahimsa is a core yoga concept, inspired by the premise that all living beings have the spark of the divine spiritual energy; therefore, to hurt another being, is to hurt oneself. This is incompatible with carrying weapons and firearms. Therefore, the Meditation Center prohibits bringing any types of weapons or firearms onto Meditation Center properties at any time.
There are many forms of harassment from very subtle to not so subtle. Whether you are a teacher or member of the community it is important to be aware of how one’s behavior is affecting another, especially when one is in a position of authority or power. The Meditation Center will not tolerate any kind of harassment towards anyone at the center. Unwanted touching, conversation, or any kind of inappropriate behavior is unacceptable and not allowed.
The Meditation Center has adopted a zero tolerance policy towards any kind of sexual or other behavioral harassment.
The Meditation Center does not tolerate exploitative relationships of any kind between our teachers and their students, sexual, financial, or in any other way. In regard to sexual misconduct and in the context of a teaching relationship there is an inescapable power differential between a teacher or spiritual guide and a student or disciple which makes it almost impossible for there to be true consent to sexual interactions. Sexual relationships between students and teachers are therefore strongly discouraged.
Concerns about any teacher certified by AHYMSIN should be directed to the Spiritual Committee or to our principal spiritual guide, Swami Ritavan Bharati or his successor.
Adopted by the Meditation Center Board – February 2020
