Terms & Conditions

Last updated: December 10, 2025

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the websites, online community spaces, events, memberships, programs, and offerings provided by The Theosophical Society in Boston (Besant Lodge), Inc., doing business as Tending the Sacred (“Tending the Sacred,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). Collectively, we call these the “Services.”

By accessing or using the Services, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services.

Our intention is to create an environment of learning, connection, wisdom, and respect. These Terms help ensure that our community remains safe and supportive for all who participate.

1. Acceptance of Terms & Eligibility

1.1 Agreement

By using the Services, creating an account, registering for an event, making a donation, or participating in our online community, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

1.2 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) and able to enter into a binding agreement. If you use the Services on behalf of another person or organization, you represent that you are authorized to accept these Terms on their behalf.

2. Description of the Services

Tending the Sacred offers a range of educational, spiritual, and community-based programs. Our Services may include:

  • Websites, newsletters, digital resources, and downloadable guides

  • Online community spaces and memberships (including platforms such as Mighty Networks or similar)

  • Workshops, courses, retreats, gatherings, and events

  • Live and recorded classes or discussions

  • Opportunities for donations and other forms of support

We may update, expand, or modify the Services at any time.

3. Accounts & Registration

3.1 Account Creation

Some features (such as memberships or community areas) may require you to create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information.

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account. Please notify us promptly if you suspect unauthorized access.

3.3 Suspension or Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time if we believe you have violated these Terms or otherwise jeopardized the community experience.

4. Payments, Donations & Refunds

4.1 Payments and Donations

Certain Services require payment of fees. Donations and payments are processed securely through third-party providers (such as Stripe). We do not store full payment card details.

4.2 Pricing Changes

Prices and fees may change at any time. Updated pricing will appear at the point of purchase or registration.

4.3 Refunds

Refund policies for events, courses, or memberships will be clearly stated at the time of registration or purchase. Except where required by law or expressly stated, payments and donations are non-refundable.

5. Community Guidelines & Prohibited Conduct

We are committed to fostering a space that is inclusive, respectful, compassionate, and supportive.

By using the Services, you agree that you will not:

  • Harass, intimidate, threaten, or harm others

  • Engage in hate speech, discrimination, or abusive behavior

  • Share another person’s private or confidential information without consent

  • Impersonate another person or misrepresent your affiliation

  • Post unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise harmful content

  • Use the Services for unauthorized commercial purposes

  • Introduce viruses, malware, or harmful code

  • Disrupt or interfere with the functioning of the Services

  • Violate any applicable law

We may remove content, limit access, or take other action to protect the integrity and safety of our community.

6. Wellness, Spiritual & Educational Disclaimer

Our programs, gatherings, courses, meditations, events, and community discussions are designed for personal growth, education, spiritual exploration, and community building.

They are not a substitute for:

  • Medical care

  • Mental health treatment

  • Professional counseling

  • Financial, legal, or other licensed professional advice

Participation does not create a doctor–patient, therapist–client, or other professional relationship.

You are solely responsible for your decisions, actions, and well-being.

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 Our Content

All materials provided through the Services — including text, images, videos, audio recordings, guides, downloads, graphics, and trademarks — are owned by or licensed to Tending the Sacred and protected by copyright and other laws.

7.2 Limited License

We grant you a personal, non-commercial, revocable license to access and use the Services. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from our content without our written permission.

Recordings of events, workshops, classes, or live sessions are for personal use only unless expressly permitted.

8. User Content

8.1 Your Responsibility

You may be able to submit content (comments, posts, messages, photos, or other materials). You are responsible for ensuring your content is lawful, respectful, and appropriate.

8.2 License You Grant Us

By sharing content through the Services, you grant Tending the Sacred a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable license to use, reproduce, adapt, publish, display, and distribute your content as needed to operate, promote, and improve the Services.

8.3 Rights

You represent that you have the necessary rights or permissions to submit any content you share.

9. Third-Party Services & Links

Our Services may contain links to or integrations with third-party websites, tools, or platforms (such as Mighty Networks, Stripe, or social media sites). These third parties operate independently and have their own terms and privacy policies. Your interactions with them are at your own discretion and risk.

10. Disclaimers of Warranties

The Services are provided on an “as is,” “as available,” and “with all faults” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

We do not guarantee that the Services will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or that defects will be corrected.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

  • Tending the Sacred, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, revenue, data, or goodwill.

  • Our total liability for any claim related to the Services shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amount you paid for the specific Service involved in the claim during the six months prior to the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) US $100.

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; in those cases, the limitations apply only to the extent permitted.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Tending the Sacred and its leadership, employees, volunteers, contractors, and agents from any claims or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) arising out of:

  • Your use of the Services

  • Your violation of these Terms

  • Your User Content

  • Any unlawful or harmful behavior connected to your participation

13. Dispute Resolution & Binding Arbitration

We are committed to resolving concerns in a way that is fair and respectful.

If a dispute arises, please contact us first at hello@tendingthesacred.org so we can try to resolve it informally.

If we cannot resolve the issue together, you agree that:

13.1 Binding Arbitration

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its applicable rules.

13.2 No Class Actions

You agree to resolve disputes with us individually, not as part of a class action or representative proceeding.

13.3 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

13.4 Venue

Any arbitration or legal proceeding shall take place in Massachusetts unless otherwise required by law.

This clause does not prevent either party from seeking temporary or emergency relief in court when necessary.

14. Termination

You may stop using the Services at any time.
We may suspend or terminate access at our discretion, including for violations of these Terms.

Sections intended to survive termination (including Intellectual Property, Disclaimers, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, and Dispute Resolution) will continue to apply.

15. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we do, we will update the “Last updated” date. We may also provide additional notice for significant changes.

Your continued use of the Services after changes become effective indicates acceptance of the updated Terms.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms or the Services, you may contact us:

Email: hello@tendingthesacred.org
Mail: Tending the Sacred
22 Summer Street
North Brookfield, MA 01535
United States