To promote integrity in our training and practice, the staff,
students and ministers of The Interfaith Foundation commit ourselves to
the following precepts:
Remembering our unity, honouring our uniqueness
We aim to keep our hearts and minds open to everyone, celebrating
difference but not separation. We refuse to marginalise people on the
basis of age, disability, state of health, race, gender, nationality,
religion, sexuality, economic status or any other distinction.
Walking our talk
We understand the importance of practising what we preach, and agree
to uphold the ethical and practical principles of the spiritual path we
follow. We recognise that all paths emphasise the importance of honesty,
respecting self and others, non-stealing and non-harming.
Celebrating honesty
Knowing that truthfulness brings freedom, we aim to cultivate
conscious and clean communication. We aim to speak and listen as truly
as we can, being mindful that our words are kind, true and useful.
Protecting clarity
Since we value purity of awareness, we support each other in
exercising maturity over the ingestion of intoxicants or mind-altering
substances.
Honouring physical boundaries
In order to create safe space for the opening of our hearts and
minds, we aim to be sensitive and respectful in expressing physical
affection. Mindful of the power our position as teacher, counsellor or
minister may bring, we undertake to refuse absolutely sexual
relationships with our students or clients.
Representing ourselves accurately
Since we strive for integrity, we understand the importance of not
misleading others about the services we can offer, and not exaggerating
our professional achievements. Further, we commit ourselves to open and
just dealings in all of our financial transactions.
Maintaining confidentiality
We honour the sacred trust between a spiritual counsellor and a
client, and between a minister and the community served, and promise to
hold any personal information in the strictest confidence. The same
applies to our study settings, so that a safe space is created for
heartfelt sharing.
Valuing support and supervision
We acknowledge the need for supervision and guidance beyond our years
of study at The Interfaith Seminary. We commit to regular supervision
of our spiritual counselling and ministry work.
Committed to continued awakening
We understand that our spiritual unfolding is an ongoing process, and
dedicate ourselves to continually deepening our personal spiritual
practice, that our service may be grounded in an authentic and evolving
spiritual life.
Safeguarding the whole
We commit, where necessary, to lovingly call to attention, either
one-to-one or through our peer group, any issue that may place another
in danger or compromise the good reputation of interfaith ministers
however difficult this may seem.