PURPOSE OF THE CODE OF ETHICS:

1. This Code of Ethics serves to enable Chōwa Do Practitioners to uphold the highest values of our practice: to be of service to others; to engage in continuous growth and development; to do no intentional harm; to respect our students, teachers and patients; to honour life.

1. This Code of Ethics serves to clarify the expectations of  ethical conduct for Chōwa Do Practitioners and the public alike.

THE CHŌWA DO PRACTITIONER’S CODE OF ETHICS:

#1: I treat my parents, partner and children with respect for their individual needs and values.

• I value my partner and family members supporting my life’s path and my supporting theirs.
• I value honesty and integrity in relationship.

#2: I treat my patients and students with respect for their dignity, individual needs and values.

• I work to the best of my ability without prejudice regarding age, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, physical abilities, or socioeconomic background.
• I value the sacred trust that exists between me and my students and patients by refraining from exploitation involving power or sexual misconduct.
• I refrain from using my position as a Chōwa Do Practitioner to begin or to intimate future sexual relationship with a student or client.
• I allow sufficient time to truly change the roles of each party (powerdynamic) before envisioning a romantic or sexual relationship with a student or ex-patient.

#3: I respect a patient’s right to choose their own forms and path of healing and a student’s right to choose their teachers.

• I respect my Chōwa Do client’s faith in their own doctor or primary care provider.
• I support my students and patients without allowing my personal judgments to interfere. If I am unable to do this I will recommend that the student or patient work with another Chōwa Do Practitioner.

#4: I hold confidential all information about a student or client.

#5: I maintain my awareness.

• I refrain from abuse of alcohol and drugs.
• I am aware that my judgment and professional conduct may be impaired by my use of alcohol and drugs. I abstain from these substances during professional activities.

#6: I continually enhance my professional qualifications, knowledge and skills.

• I recognize my own capabilities and limitations and state them accurately and fairly.

• I continually seek to engage in opportunities for further development on personal and professional levels and recognize the vital need for continuous practice enhancement.

#7: I maintain my trust in Chōwa Do and my community.

• I cultivate conscious and clear communication and the qualities of loving kindness and honesty. I speak what is true and useful and refrain from speaking what is not.
• I value my relationship to a process larger than myself, recognizing that healing is something I can give to myself, and can learn from but never control.
• I support life rather than avoid death.

#8: I respect the property of others, maintain my professional integrity and refrain from the misuse of money.

• I refrain from professional misconduct including plagiarism, inappropriate omission of information, and making false or deceptive statements.
• I refrain from using other people’s methods and disciplines professionally before I have my own deep experience with them. I acknowledge their source.

#9: I acknowledge and respect other disciplines and their practitioners.

• I endeavour to work in cooperation with other Chōwa Do Practitioners or practitioners of other disciplines and I refrain from slandering, criticizing or otherwise denigrating them.

#10: I take responsibility and accountability for all my decisions and actions as a Chōwa Do Practitioner in society.

• I realize that all my actions and choices in behaviour and communication have a potential effect on others; I teach by my own example.
• I promptly resolve actual or potential conflicts of interest.

(Drawn up on 8 July 2019 in Toronto, Canada).

(With gratitude to The Reiki Alliance and Zen Shiatsu Alliance who gave approval for the use of their Code of Ethics as a source document for this text).