MMTCP Class of 2019 Graduate Agreement:

The Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) is a diverse community of teachers, students, and mentors who are committed to maintaining an environment that encourages and supports personal growth and awareness. We trust that you will carry this commitment with you as graduates of this program.

MMTCP is a community with high standards and expectations, including established ethical principles and guidelines of conduct intended to foster behaviors that are consistent with the values of the MMTCP, such as the practices of lovingkindness and compassion, ethical living, nonviolence, mutual respect, forgiveness, equanimity, and peace. Graduates of the MMTCP are expected to conduct themselves in ways that support this program and all of its participants.

In consideration for agreeing to the guidelines and standards outlined in this agreement, graduates will be added to a forthcoming MMTCP online directory of certified mindfulness teachers, programs, and classes that will be publicly available to those searching for mindfulness meditation teachers in their areas.

As a graduate, meditation teacher, and member of the MMTCP community, I agree to uphold the following principles:

I will conduct myself in a professional and conscientious manner consistent with the MMTCP values.
I will respect the rights, dignity, and privacy of all students, teachers, mentors, and staff in the program—and in the communities in which I practice and teach—regardless of race, color, national origin/ancestry, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, military/veteran status, or marital status.
I will commit to authentic, respectful, and mindful communications with my students, fellow teachers, and community members.
As a teacher of mindfulness, I will maintain clear, appropriate, ethical, and professional boundaries with my students. I will abide by the MMTCP Code of Ethics, which has been distributed to me separately.

Upon my successful completion of the course and all graduation requirements, I understand the following:

As a graduate, I will be authorized to refer to myself as a “certified mindfulness teacher” or “certified mindfulness meditation teacher” or “certified meditation teacher.”
If I wish to use Jack and Tara’s names, I can say that I have “completed Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program.”
Graduation from this program does not qualify me to call myself a “dharma teacher,” or “Buddhist teacher.” (These require additional Buddhist training.)
As a graduate, I will be certified to teach mindfulness classes, groups, workshops, and day-long intensives, including in special fields such as education, health care, business, athletics, nonprofits, etc.
Graduation from the program will not certify me to teach multi-day residential retreats, for which significant additional practice and training is required. I understand that if I have previous training or experience that allows me to teach retreats, I may continue to do so. However, I understand that this program did not prepare me to teach residential retreats.
Graduation from this program does not certify me to present myself as a mindfulness therapist, counselor, coach, or any other role that implies psychological guidance. This program does not certify me to present myself as a mindfulness health coach, mindfulness health counselor, or any other role that implies health/medical guidance. I am not certified to offer health and medical advice unless I have other credentials and training that certify me to do so
I understand that graduation from this program does not authorize me to offer medical or mental health advice, and I will refrain from doing so. I understand that I am not to suggest or imply medical or mental health diagnoses or treatments.
Upon graduation, Sounds True will mail me a diploma indicating that I am certified as a mindfulness meditation teacher. The certificate will be approved by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California at Berkeley. This certificate does not entitle me to receive credits in any form from the University of California at Berkeley, nor may I make any representations that I attended the University of California at Berkeley, or that I am a graduate of that institution.

Prohibited Conduct

The Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program prohibits discrimination and harassment by teachers, mentors, or students. This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin/ancestry, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, military/veteran status, or marital status. Prohibited harassment includes inappropriate, unwelcome, or offensive conduct, whether verbal, visual, physical, written, or otherwise. Conduct that creates a hostile or unsafe environment will not be tolerated, and Sounds True, Jack Kornfield, and Tara Brach reserve the right to rescind or revoke the certification of any graduate who engages in harassment or exhibits aggressive, offensive, disruptive, or bullying behavior in any in-person or online interaction via web forums, messages, emails, chats, discussion boards, social media pages, video conferences, phone calls, text messages, or otherwise.

Community members who experience inappropriate, offensive, or aggressive behavior directed toward them or in reference to them should contact the Student Support Team at mmtcp@soundstrue.com, who will escalate the issue as needed. The MMTCP community takes these concerns very seriously. Any complaints of harassment or discrimination will be responded to in a timely manner, kept confidential to the extent possible, and investigated. If an investigation confirms that discrimination or harassment has occurred, effective remedial action will be taken and steps will be taken to eliminate or deter future misconduct. Retaliation against any individual who brings complaints of discrimination or harassment is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated within the MMTCP community.

Acknowledgments and Waivers

I understand that The Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program is not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure physical or mental illness. I did not receive therapy as part of this program, and I will not be offering therapy to my students unless I have the proper professional licensure to do so. I also understand that the instruction and advice presented by Sounds True, Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, the other MMTCP teachers, and any other associated third parties is not meant to be used in place of professional medical advice.

I understand that Sounds True, Jack Kornfield, and Tara Brach reserve the right to withhold or revoke my certification if my behavior violates the terms or agreements laid out in this Agreement or if they deem me unfit to participate. Should my certification be at risk for revocation, I will be notified in writing and will be given the opportunity to appeal the decision in writing by sending an email to mmtcp@soundstrue.com, where it will be escalated to the leadership of MMTCP, including Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. The MMTCP’s appropriate teachers, leaders, psychological consultants, and mentors will investigate the situation and make a final decision about my certification within 30 (thirty) days of written appeal.

By clicking Accept, I confirm that I have read this Graduate Agreement and agree to abide by all of its provisions, as stated above.