We Need to Talk About Ethics

In religious and spiritual circles around the world, abuses by leaders, teachers, and healers have captured our attention. Some of these abuses have affected those of you reading this page right now. In 2020 when I began private practice outside of my work as a hospital chaplain, I joined the Association for Spiritual Integrity, or ASI. Why? Because I knew that I would not be part of an "institution" or a religious body that I could point to and tell you, "These people are holding me accountable." So I joined ASI, and committed to their Honor Code of Ethics and Good Practice. https://www.spiritual-integrity.org/honor-code-for-spiritual-leaders I also commit to accountability and feedback from my ASI community members and--more importantly--you.

Religious and spiritual abuse is when a leader/teacher/healer uses their position of authority, belief or practice to manipulate, control, shame, or harm you. Your trust and vulnerability is exploited. What is particularly damaging to one's sense of self and personal spiritual life is that this abuse is often done in the name of the divine. They tell you that they have the authority or wisdom or duty to say certain things or challenge your sovereignty. This can be difficult and painful to experience and recover from. Sometimes it can lead you to give up on spirituality forever, especially given the current context that these abuses persist in most religions and many spiritual groups such as yoga classes or healing spaces.

I want to share that I have had extensive training through my Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities and my chaplain training at the University of Minnesota Medical Center regarding ethics, ethical boundaries, ethical behavior and professional boundaries. I served on the Ethics Committee at Legacy Emanual Hospital in Portland, Oregon. I have never received a complaint from a patient or staff member of a hospital. But this does not mean that my work in understanding the ethics of being a spiritual teacher/leader/healer is done! I am still actively learning through ASI and through peers that I consult with on a very regular basis. I have professional counselors and chaplains I can seek advice from. I do all I know to do in order to be accountable to you--whether you are simply reading this blog post or are a client of mine.

Why? Because, in order to flourish as spiritual humans, we actually do need to be open and vulnerable and exploring with those who guide us. Therefore, we need reliable humans who are committed to continually working on themselves, understanding their faults, their shadow, their weaknesses. I am committed to this so that I can make a commitment to you: that our time together can be focused on you, what you need, what you are seeking, what you want to empower within yourself, and how you want to grow and heal. This is probably not the last thing I will write about religious and spiritual abuse, but I hope that it has been helpful. Please reach out to me with any questions you may have on this topic. I wish for you beneficial and inspiring spiritual lives. 🙏