Accountability Process for Buddhi Dana
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Welcome to Safe Mediation’s page dedicated to an accountability process for Buddhi Dana, a tantra facilitator, sexuality coach, and ISTA faculty member. This page provides clear information on the measures taken in response to concerns raised within the sacred sexuality community.
Our criteria for success included establishing clear behavioral changes, implementing a code of ethics, and ensuring that the community’s feedback was addressed to the extent possible. As of the last update in August 2024, this page will remain online for transparency and as a record of this accountability process.
Background: In 2022, community discussions emphasized the importance of understanding boundaries, consent, power dynamics, and cultural sensitivity in tantra and related practices. Buddhi Dana initiated an accountability process by appointing Lior Gal Cohen to collect community feedback. Safe Mediation later took oversight of this process, which included community feedback, mediation sessions, and targeted professional development to address concerns about Buddhi Dana’s practices. Parallel to our efforts, Buddhi Dana has also been engaged in an ongoing accountability process with ISTA, which continues as of August 2024.
Recent Developments as of August 2024
Transition of Safe Mediation’s Role
Safe Mediation has shifted from actively monitoring Buddhi Dana’s activities to a standby role, reflecting the progress made and the reduced frequency of community feedback. Safe Mediation’s role in this process has always been facilitative, not enforcing, emphasizing our commitment to restorative justice and the voluntary nature of all parties’ engagement in the accountability process.
Key Goals and Achievements of the Accountability Process with Safe Mediation: Buddhi Dana has actively engaged in training, developed a new code of ethics, and made public commitments to self-accountability. Specific outcomes include his improved approach to consent and boundaries, integration of trauma-informed practices into his facilitation, and a noticeable reduction in community complaints post-implementation of these changes.
The accountability process was designed with specific goals in mind, including:
- Development and implementation of a comprehensive Code of Ethics.
- Integration of trauma-informed practices into Buddhi Dana’s workshops.
- Facilitation of feedback channels for community members.
- Public acknowledgment and rectification of past behaviors.
These goals were primarily focused on Buddhi Dana’s activities related to his Tantra Therapy School, particularly his workshops and retreats that are independent of his work with ISTA. Each of these objectives has been met to a satisfactory degree, with Buddhi Dana actively participating in relevant training, updating his practices to be more trauma-aware, and committing to ongoing transparency and accountability.
Continued Accountability Through ISTA: Buddhi Dana remains engaged in a separate ongoing accountability process with ISTA. This involvement signifies continued oversight and development facilitated outside of our direct involvement. For more updates (LINK)
Commitment to Future Engagement: While we will not proactively monitor new developments, Safe Mediation remains ready to facilitate discussions and address new feedback as they arise. This ensures we continue to meet the community’s needs while respecting the voluntary nature of our mediation and justice processes for any professional activity related to Buddhi Dana.
Ongoing Support and Open Communication: We encourage the community to utilize this page as a transparent resource and to voice any feedback. Our feedback form remains active, ready to address emerging issues.
Understanding and Patience: While not all concerns may have been fully resolved, particularly in cases where individuals chose not to engage further, we recognize that healing and accountability are complex, ongoing processes. Safe Mediation remains committed to supporting these processes and adapting our role to meet the community’s evolving needs with utmost neutrality and respect. We encourage anyone who feels that their concerns have not been fully addressed to reach out through the contact form provided on this page.
Recommendations for Ongoing Accountability
As Buddhi Dana continues his professional journey, Safe Mediation encourages him to maintain transparency, actively engage with community feedback, and continue education in power dynamics and trauma-informed practices. By openly sharing his experiences from the accountability process and remaining receptive to community input, Buddhi Dana can work towards continuously improving his standards of care and professionalism. This approach helps nurture an environment of trust and open dialogue within his community.
Active Transparency: We encourage Buddhi Dana to openly share his experience with the formal accountability process with all potential and current students. Including this information in initial interactions, marketing materials, and ongoing communications not only enhances transparency but also empowers participants to make informed decisions regarding their involvement. By discussing the steps he has taken, the insights gained, and the improvements implemented, Buddhi Dana can continue to build trust and foster an environment of open dialogue.
Active Engagement and Receiving Feedback: Buddhi Dana has expressed willingness to keep Safe Mediation on standby for addressing complex feedback as needed. This readiness to engage with community feedback mechanisms demonstrates an ongoing commitment to responsive and adaptive teaching practices. Additionally, continuing to refine how he manages defensive responses to feedback will help create an environment where constructive criticism is effectively addressed and utilized for professional growth.
Ongoing Education on Power Dyanimcs: Buddhi Dana has shown an understanding of power dynamics in traditional roles, such as between teacher and student, and bodyworker and client. We recommend, not only to Buddhi Dana, but to any tantra facilitator, to continue learning about these dynamics in less conventional interactions, including peer relationships like those between two students practicing together or two teachers co-facilitating. Broadening awareness in these areas can help promote more comprehensive and inclusive practices.
Ongoing Education on Trauma: Continuing education in trauma-informed approaches is essential for any facilitator, including Buddhi Dana, to remain informed about evolving best practices. While Buddhi Dana has dedicated time to studying trauma during the accountability process, ongoing professional development is crucial to keep current with the latest methodologies. This will enhance his ability to effectively integrate feedback and apply it constructively. Such commitment to learning will assist in refining teaching practices and ensuring they are aligned with the highest standards of care and professionalism. Additionally, as Buddhi Dana conducts workshops aimed at informing other tantra facilitators about the importance of being trauma-informed, he understands it is crucial to clarify he is not a certified trauma therapist or a trauma expert. Although Buddhi gives certificates of attendance to students, he is aware that these do not signify certifications as trauma professionals. To prevent any confusion, we recommend Buddhi Dana enhance that clarity in his workshop promotional materials.
By openly sharing his experiences from the accountability process and remaining receptive to community input, Buddhi Dana can work towards continuously improving his standards of care and professionalism. This approach helps nurture an environment of trust and open dialogue within his community.
If you have any questions, requests, or concerns about this process, please reach out to us in the form below. We are eager to receive your input on how we can continually enhance and optimize this process.
Understanding the Foundations: Our Approach to Accountability and Restorative Justice
Addressing Areas of Concern
In our review of the feedback and observations regarding practices in professional settings within the sacred sexuality field, including those involving Buddhi Dana, we have identified main areas of concern. It is important to emphasize that this review is based on limited feedback and does not necessarily represent all experiences. Our aim is to provide a balanced perspective while respecting everyone’s confidentiality and experiences. As we hear more from people, we’ll keep updating our understanding and working towards a safer, more respectful environment for everyone involved.
Buddhi Dana’s Steps Towards Accountability
Trainings and Supervision
As part of Safe Mediation’s comprehensive review, we have verified during this accountability process, that Buddhi Dana enrolled and participated in trainings and supervision sessions focusing on trauma awareness/trauma informed practice. These courses collectively signify Buddhi Dana’s commitment to becoming a more trauma-informed facilitator. Safe Mediation has taken due diligence in confirming these educational endeavors to ensure the credibility and sincerity of Buddhi Dana’s professional development efforts.
Learnings applied in Buddhi Dana’s Practices
This section highlights the important commitments Buddhi Dana has made in response to the community’s feedback. These changes show his willigness to making his workshops and trainings safer and more inclusive for everyone. Here, we lay out how Buddhi is improving the ways he handles consent, boundaries, and taking care of each person’s emotional needs. We aim to ensure that Buddhi’s new ways of working are in line with the principles of safety, understanding, and care for all participants.
These adaptations encompass several dimensions, as you see below.
Thank you for visiting the Accountability Process for Buddhi Dana page. This page is currently being updated. Meanwhile, we want to ensure that everyone’s voices are heard, so please get in touch.
We invite you to use this form to reach out to us with any questions, comments, or requests you may have regarding the process. This includes any feedback you may have on how we can continue to improve the process for all parties involved.
We are committed to making things right and welcome your input. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Intake form Confidentiality note: Safe Mediation is the only one with access to this form. Neither your name nor your message is shared with Buddhi Dana and/or other 3rd parties and/or the general public without your consent.