You’ve joined a WeSpace group and you’re ready to get started, but there are a few things we’d like you to
know first. This is your “overview introduction” about these times of collective practice, detailing a bit more of
the underlying intentions, values, guidelines, and procedures for this whole process.
WeSpace groups have an initial commitment period of eight weeks or four months and eight sessions. At the end of this time,
each group member can decide if they want to continue ahead into the next stage of the WeSpace group. This
can happen in the same group, or if there are not enough people, through joining another ongoing WeSpace.
Here are a few of the dynamics of how we approach WeSpace:
Intentions
WeSpace groups gather to strengthen, encourage, and comfort one another as we develop in our practice
together with the following primary intentions:
1. Mystical Practice
In WeSpace groups we seek to develop all, a variation, or at least one
of the following intentions:
➢ Mystical awakening in energetic, embodied expression, coming
into deeper whole-body consciousness and knowing
➢ Mystical communion with Jesus, other spiritual beings and guides,
and one another in the WeSpace
➢ Mystical oneness through transcendent and immanent unified
experience
2. Spiritual Community
We practice cultivating community with other Christians on the mystical path, who will understand and
support our experiences, gathered in shared purpose and commitment to mystical practice together, seeking
growth, transformation, and loving evolution together. A community empowering without coercion,
encouraging without guilt, and enlivening with hope.
To help foster community and get to know one another, all participants are also given the option to meet
one-on-one with others in their group on the off weeks. Pairings and discussion questions are provided.Values
Integral Christian Network WeSpace groups operate out of the following core values:
1. Love
We believe love is the driving force of evolution. Not just any love, but
the deep surge of love from the divine heart within each one of us. Our
groups really only thrive when we are all coming from this heart of love.
This involves a commitment to connection, open-heartedness, and also
risk. Love of course also includes respect for one another, including self-
knowledge, care, and boundary-recognition.
2. Trust
First we ask you to trust your spiritual experience. Many of us haven’t always been encouraged to do this by
the church or spiritual authorities in our lives, and wading into new expressions and practices can sometimes
cause a little apprehension. An openness to our experience allows us to release fears or attachments to being
wrong or right. It gives us the willingness to humbly offer what we are hearing, sensing, or discerning
without fear of coercion or manipulation—from ourselves or others. These are always shared with humility
for the purpose of strengthening, encouraging, and comforting others.
We don’t have to always fully cognitively know that what we share is 100%
true and pure, but we offer from a place of intended trust and love, with
humility and open hands, with the freedom to hold everything loosely and
release whatever doesn’t “ring true.”
3. Mysticism
We can at any time welcome immediate, divine presence and awareness,
without the need for intermediaries. We can experience this in each of the
Three Faces of God, the infinite God-Beyond-Us, the intimate God-Beside-
Us, and the Inner/Incarnate God-Being-Us. We practice embodied
mysticism, moving into the awakened consciousness of spiritual knowing
from our four centers, heart, feet, spiritual womb, and head.
4. Creativity
Each unique voice and presence matters in a WeSpace group, each of our creative
expressions. We are always open to emergence, the possibility of a new way or
form, the release of spiritual energy in unexpected avenues, the “worship” in the
creative act (as Teilhard puts it). We seek to allow mystical consciousness to help
us flow into not what we already know, but what we are about to discover.
5. Confidentiality & Accountability
Anything that happens in the group is considered confidential and shouldn’t
be shared without permission beyond the confines of the group, and at times
with ICN leadership for the purposes of loving service. We hold each other
accountable to these values in the group time, with the freedom and
encouragement to “call out” or name when it seems a value or rule is being
broken. This includes saying something in the group time and/or speaking
with Luke if the problem is severe or persists. WeSpace groups are not be
recorded unless all participants agree to do so.Holding Loving Space
WeSpace groups are sacred containers for safe space and respectful community. We
hold loving space for one another by keeping to our values and upholding the following
guidelines for holding loving space in groups:
1. Deep Listening
We seek to listen to one another from the heart, without planning our response,
self-defending, or correcting.
2. Unconditional Positive Regard
We trust the good in one another and always view each other with respect,
without critical thoughts, judgments, or agenda-filled evaluations.
3. Sit with what Is
We seek to simply be present with one another, without trying to change or fix anyone.
4. Allowing
We commit to allow everyone to be where they are, without trying to save or teach.
Another helpful framework we use for group dynamics is staying off The Drama Triangle.
Facilitation
All groups will function with rotating facilitation. This is done to
empower each participant into active ownership of the group, as
well as encourage creative contribution from each member. Paul
Smith and Luke Healy will be present and facilitate the first three
meetings, after which facilitation will rotate between members. If
you are very uncomfortable performing this role, just let your group
know. You will not be forced to do it, though we do encourage it as
a means of collectivity and shared ownership.
Facilitation is quite simple and primarily entails following the WeSpace Practice Process. Logistically it is
being aware of the time for each segment and guiding the group between sections. Facilitators do not need to
feel any added responsibility to “be a leader.” The role will be modeled for everyone three times before a
member needs to take on the role for a group meeting. As always, feel free to ask any questions you might have.
We have an easy facilitator’s guide to assist you when your turn comes.
Accessibility
WeSpace groups are a ministry of Integral Christian Network and are offered with the
intention for everyone to be welcome and able to participate. To keep this ongoing work
possible, we do ask for a gift of any amount that seems right to you, including nothing if
that is your situation. You can give at any time during your participation in the group. Some
like to “give forward” their donation at the end in support of the next WeSpace groups.
Our organization is fully dependent on the generous giving of our participants and
supporters. To make a donation, or commit to monthly giving to support our work, please
visit www.integralchristiannetwork.org/donate. With much appreciation and thanks.
If you’d like more information about supporting ICN, you can learn more here: