Purpose and Mission

The Ethics Committee of Awakening Truth exists to:

  • Uphold the ethical integrity of Awakening Truth and its programs
  • Receive, assess, and respond to concerns about ethical violations, misconduct, or  harm involving teachers, facilitators or leaders
  • Support the organization in developing and maintaining clear ethical standards
  • Provide a process for practitioners, students, and community members to address  harm
  • Offer accountability structures that do not depend solely on individual self-reflection

Scope

The committee has authority to receive and respond to concerns involving:

  • Conduct by teachers, facilitators, or leaders leading Awakening Truth programs which includes:
    1. situations involving abuse of power,
    2. boundary violations,
    3. misuse of spiritual authority
  • Institutional matters requiring ethical discernment

The committee does not:

  • Replace professional legal, therapeutic, or clinical intervention where that is required
  • Function as a tribunal or court — its role is to listen to concerns with discernment, accountability, and care
  • Have responsibility for matters of organizational governance
  • Help peer groups to resolve conflicts inside the group

Receiving Concerns

When a concern is brought forward:

  1. The concern is received without judgment and acknowledged promptly.
  2. The committee assesses whether the concern falls within its scope.
  3. If within scope, the committee determines whether immediate action is needed to ensure safety.
  4. The person bringing the concern is kept informed of the process, while confidentiality of others is protected to the extent possible.
  5. The committee documents its process and decisions.

Concerns may be received from:

  • Current or former students, program participants, or community members
  • Teachers, facilitators, or staff
  • The Executive Director or board
  • External parties in circumstances within the scope of the Committee’s authority

Members

Leslie Wallis

Ruth Zanoni

Ruth Zanoni is a retired attorney/mediator/restorative practices facilitator who practiced over the span of 30 years in California and Maryland. A meditator since she was a teenager, Ruth is a 2021 graduate of the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Ruth is also fully certified as a Realization Process Teacher, has completed advanced trauma release training, and practices trauma sensitive mindfulness. Ruth teaches online for Insight Meditation Community of Washington, DC and for Banyan, mentors practitioners, and leads Writing Practice groups.

Bert Williams

Bert Williams has been a Massage Therapist for 40 years, who uses bodywork as an adjunct to somatic inquiry.  He has been a practicing member of the Diamond Approach within the Ridhwan School for 35 years.