Jennifer O'Sullivan
Sep 6, 2018 · 2 min read

I see what you’re saying and have thought about this how we identify ourselves as practitioners and teachers. I have seen this gap between being seen as a teacher and as a practitioner, and have chatted with teachers about this on many occassions. There’s a lot of pressure to “be” a certain way, and there are plenty out there waiting to castigate you if you are ‘unyogic.’

But I will also say that the items I included in my list are based on behaviors I’ve seen first hand, out in the world by both experienced and inexperienced teachers alike. I’m continually surprised that some of these things need to be said, but then I’m not that surprised at the same time. Just this week, I’ve witnessed behaviors that go against four of the statements in my list and all but one of the teachers would be considered very experienced and long-time teachers.

I don’t think we can wait for people to develop more deeply as practitioners before we start emphasizing ethics, especially since there’s no guarantee that ethical behavior spawns naturally through yoga practice. People are getting hurt out there.

In the Buddhist community, one cultivates sila (morality), samadhi (concentration), and panna (wisdom) concurrently. These are the threads that are woven into all the teachings. So I don’t see ethics as a lofty goal.

All that said, I tried to get specific and practical in what I laid out here for a reason b/c I think that’s what is missing in many ethics statements. Apparently we need to tell people explicitely: don’t touch people if they don’t want it, don’t steal your colleague’s copy and photos to promote your own programs, pay your teachers when you say you’re going to, don’t mis-represent your experience and education and stay in your lane, and the list goes on.

I’m left feeling like there is just a lot of work to do. I’m glad there are people out there like you thinking about this stuff in a deep way.

    Jennifer O'Sullivan

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    yoga, meditation, life… www.sati.yoga