Code of ethics

Introduction

Tantrayonimassage.com is committed to promoting tantra and tantra-inspired work in Flanders and the Netherlands. This follows the example of the Dutch website Tantrawijzer, thanks for their initiative.

Dealing professionally with the forms of contact involved in this work requires a high degree of responsibility and ethical awareness. This ethical code of conduct aims to guarantee this ethical awareness and to be a starting point for discussion when questions arise about the ethical conduct of a tantra professional. In addition, she offers clarity to clients or participants about ethical behavior within Tantra.

The code has been drawn up in such a way that it offers frameworks within which tantra-inspired work can be carried out, while at the same time leaving sufficient room for the diversity in approach and range of individual professionals.

If the code maintains a higher ethical standard than the law, then professionals will have to comply with the code. If the code appears to be against the law, the code must be reinterpreted to conform to the law. The professional is solely responsible for complying with his/her code of ethics.

When Tantrayonimassage.com receives a report about a provider, the reporter will be referred to another agency, depending on the nature of the report. If Tantrayonimassage.com is aware that there is a complaints procedure against one of the providers on the website, Tantrayonimassage.com reserves the right to make the data of this provider invisible on the Tantrayonimassage.com website until the procedure is completed.
A more detailed description of how Tantrayonimassage.com handles notifications can be found here.

All professionals listed on the Tantrayonimassage.com website subscribe to the code of conduct described below. They adopt a professional attitude and they are able and willing to account to clients, participants or colleagues. They also confirm that they are reliable in agreements and judgments, and they can be held accountable for conduct in the event of non-compliance with the rules laid down in the code of conduct.

Concepts

  • Tantra: Tantra refers to the Hindu and Buddhist spiritual tantra currents and the forms of 'Neo-tantra' inspired by them. In addition to tantra, this broad field can also include aspects of Taoism, psychology, sexology, mindfulness, empowerment, Shamanism, Yoga, etc.
  • Tantra professional: A person or legal entity who offers tantra sessions and/or training as a profession, or who is professionally inspired by a tantra tradition or body of thought.
  • Client/participant: A person who uses or wishes to use the services of a tantra professional against payment.
  • Session/training: The term 'session' can describe several working methods in this document and should be read in the broadest sense of the word. For example, it can be an individual session, a group session, training or workshop, a retreat, etc.

Code of Ethics

1. The tantra professional

1.1 - Tantra is more of a lifestyle than a profession. A professional is primarily a tantrika and practices what he/she teaches or passes on to clients or students.

1.2 - A tantra professional has a clear vision of what tantra means for him/her, which aspects of his/her work are tantric, and which aspects come from other methods/forms/traditions/etc.

1.3 - The tantra professional is aware of the limits of his/her qualities, knowledge, and skills and takes this into account when taking on new clients, or completing a session/workshop/etc.

1.4 - The professional only offers methods and work forms in which he/she is sufficiently competent. Depending on the work form, this competence can be obtained on the basis of (certified) education, personal experience, training, etc.

1.5 - A tantra professional works hygienically.

1.6 - He/She is not under the influence of narcotics or mind-altering substances during a session and does not treat clients who are under the influence.

1.7 - The professional does not refuse clients or participants on the basis of race, origin, belief, sexuality, or on the basis of any other factor that can be considered discriminatory. Assessing eligibility to participate in a session or workshop, based on experience or appropriateness to the content of the workshop, is the professional responsibility of the provider.

2. Boundaries and frames during a session

2.1 - The professional always offers clients the opportunity to choose whether or not to participate in an activity or interaction. A client is never obliged to participate and will not be forced to do so in any way.

2.2 - Prior to a session or training, it is determined what the boundaries of the interaction are at that moment. These limits are respected throughout the session/training. Think of whether or not to touch certain body parts during a session, or a limitation of the possibility of intimate contact between participants during a workshop.

2.3 - In a longer trajectory, a participant has the space to review or redefine his/her limits to support his/her own development.

2.4 - During a session, the set frameworks cannot be expanded, neither at the request of the client nor at the request of the professional. For example, when the desire arises to receive a more extensive massage than discussed. This desire can be expressed afterwards, after which the client and professional can independently determine whether this is desired in a follow-up session.

2.5 - If the client or professional wants to narrow the frames during a session, this is done at all times.

2.6 - When a working method involves physical touch from a supervisor, this touch is done from conscious contact, is appropriate for the situation and aimed at the development of the client or participant.

2.7 - During a session, workshop, or trajectory, moments are built in when a client or participant gives verbal and/or written consent to enter into physical contact.

3. The professional relationship: division of roles and power relations

3.1 - A tantra professional aims in all cases for the well-being of the client or participant and acts to promote this well-being and not to cause any damage.

3.2 - The professional who works in a group is aware of the effect of group dynamics and of (implicit) group pressure that can be felt.

3.3 - The professional is aware of the power relationship that arises between a professional or teacher and a client. He/she will not abuse this power relationship in any form.

3.4 - The tantra professional confirms not to satisfy his/her personal/emotional/erotic needs through clients. A session is and always remains focused on the development of the client.

3.5 - When a personal attraction arises from the professional and/or the client, this is discussed (possibly under professional supervision) with the aim of keeping the professional frameworks clear.

4. The tantra field

4.1 - The professional strives for an integrated approach to the client's question and, where necessary, stimulates communication and integration with regular therapy or medicine.

4.2 - He/She takes into account the health of the client and any contraindications for a treatment.

4.3 - The tantra professional has an open attitude towards colleagues, is willing to learn from others and to listen to criticism and suggestions.

4.4 - When in doubt about the ethical conduct of a colleague, professionals who subscribe to this code can hold each other to account in a positive and constructive manner. If necessary, you can contact Tantrayonimassage.com for this conversation.

4.5 - The professional is open to intervision or supervision with/from colleagues.

4.6 - He/She does not seek to compete with other professionals or take over clients.

4.7 - The tantra professional knows his/her own competences, and refers when these are not sufficient for the client's question.

4.8 - The professional speaks in the public and private sphere in a respectful and honest manner about the work (field) and honors the code of ethics.

5. Conflicts, openly approachable

5.1 - In case of a conflict with a client or colleague, the tantra professional is willing to mediate, or look for other means to resolve the conflict.

5.2 - When a conflict arises between a client and a professional, the aim is to find a solution that is beneficial to both parties. Sufficient attention must be paid to both the client's story and the professional's accountability.

5.3 - If it appears that a professional has acted reprehensible, he/she is prepared to further train or develop to prevent such acts in the future.

Version 1.0, May 28, 2023