Guiding Ethical Principles

Many of our teachers belong to professions with their own codes of ethics, and we do not seek to replace those. Rather, these guidelines sit alongside existing professional codes — and provide a clear ethical framework for all of our work. They are intended to support the wellbeing and flourishing of everyone connected with Openground: researchers, partners, teachers, trainers, participants, trainees and colleagues.

The guidelines that follow are intended to create an ethical environment that supports the wellbeing and flourishing of all those involved with us: researchers, partners, teachers, trainers, participants, trainees, and colleagues. It is based on the core principle of professional ethics codes: to work for the benefit and wellbeing of all participants while avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating harm, and on other principles that are common to professional ethical codes dating back many centuries and from many parts of the world:

Commitment:
Work for the benefit of others and to do no harm.

Competence:
Work with populations and in areas only within the boundaries of your education, training, study, or supervised professional experience.

Respect for rights and dignity:
Respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination.

Integrity:
Promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of mindfulness.

Responsibility to the public and the profession:
Aspire to enhance the well-being of individuals, communities and wider systems, as well as the field of mindfulness.