Ascension Academy's Philosophy for

Fostering Sacred Space

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Below is a general guideline for how we can foster sacred space together. Generating sacred space is a team effort and thrives when we all participate fully. The following agreements bolster our individual intentions as well as create harmony amongst all. We will discuss any further edits or additions as they arise.

TIMING
We will start and end all sessions on time.

SHARING
Allow the other person to finish sharing without interruption but be mindful of the length of your sharing time. They deserve your respectful attention.

CONFIDENTIALITY
As we explore what it means to be human and expose all our parts, things can appear that are very delicate. Let us cherish each other by holding each other with a sense of compassionate confidence. Anything shared in session is never duplicated or shared elsewhere.

GOSSIP
The flip side of confidentiality is gossip. Whether inside the meeting’s physical space or not, gossip is toxic. This idea enfolds into the notion of non-judgment. If things do arise that are tugging at your sharing strings, please own them and hold them as part of your experience.

SOBER
Show up sober so you can get the most out of your sessions while not being influenced by any substance.

BOUNDARIES
Be clear with yourself and others if you need space to process. When people are deeply processing things, some stickiness might come up and many times emotions are misdirected. Try not to take anything personally. Be mindful of your reactions and work with them as your own and only for your own. Only you have control over your own actions and reactions.

SHOW UP
Be present. Showing up is the most important piece of this journey. Make a point to be fully engaged and present for our meetings. We are all counting on each other to do the same. No call, no shows are not tolerated.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT
This is the time and space to replenish and refresh. Do what you need to do, as you feel called, no explanation or apologies needed. If you need to cancel your session, please give a 24hr heads up or as early as you can.

CHOICE
The ability to say "yes" or “no” to any experiential practice gives you the power to opt in and out of things. Everything is an invitation; you always have a choice.

FUN
Because what’s life without it?! People deserve to have a pleasurable and fulfilling life full of experiences and people that bring them joy. People, in the deepest parts of themselves know what they want and it is imperative to surround yourself with others who support you on your pursuit.

NON-AUTHORITARIAN
WTHC advocates a non-authoritarian approach towards coaching which means that YOU are the ultimate authority on your implementation of practice. This attitude is one of empowerment in personal sovereignty. We will use forms and techniques that are taught in specific ways, within certain parameters. But ultimately, YOU will decide their place in your life.

WTHC does not assume to have a better idea of how you should live your life. WTHC is however in service to your best interest and your internal voice, we aim to empower you to become the best version of yourself.

LOVING & EMPATHETIC
By practicing love, compassion, and empathy for yourself as well as others enables others to share vulnerably, release emotions, and express desires and boundaries in a way that increases the likelihood that you or they will get their needs met in an honorable manner.

ACCEPTING, NON-JUDGMENTAL, & NON-SHAMING
Each person is the expert on their own life, there is no one right way to live life. This is strength-based coaching and there will be no tolerance for degrading words or behaviors.

THE POWER OF PROCESS
As we exercise our muscles of awareness, it is useful to remember that just like the body's muscles, awareness must be built through stamina, working toward goals, and accepting any soreness along the way. Creating new habits takes dedicated practice and patience. Consider this course as an invitational aid to what you have already experienced. Honor yourself, your body's innate wisdom, and all your experiences by considering the viewpoint that everything we need to awaken is stored within.

Experiential work is essential to help people move out of bad habits and is powerful enough to help you realize that you can achieve the outcome you want. Deepening into these new feelings, which may at first feel unusual or awkward, is essential to the process and takes time and repetition. This is called neuroplasticity-- or brain re-wiring.

New experiences create new neural pathways to the brain which allows for the ability to adapt, master new skills, store memories and information and even recover from a traumatic brain injury.

BEGINNER'S MIND
A curiosity for discovery, innovation and Self-growth is a must. By maintaining this blank slate mentality, we are open to possibility from which we can expand and flourish.

“I” STATEMENTS
We can learn a lot about ourselves by listening to the words that we use to describe our experiences. Whether or not we're accepting and taking responsibility, or denying and transferring blame, it can be found in our language. It may be hard to describe our experiences because we process them on many levels. By practicing “I” statements we can come into a place of ownership.

“I” statements are a way to practice responsibility and accountability and eliminate projection. This will empower you as a sovereign individual- someone who is not at the effect of others. “I” statements are crucial for communicating consciously and affectively. As a useful aside, it is best to eliminate judgments, the tyranny of duality, i.e., good/bad, right/wrong, etc. so we can step into what is.

This means saying things like, “I feel better after going in the ocean,” rather than, “Everyone feels better after going in the ocean.” Or “I sleep better when I meditate before bed,” rather than, “You sleep better when you meditate before bed.”

WITNESS CONSCIOUSNESS
Witness consciousness is the practice of noticing our internal response to external stimuli. Often, we are quick to react without taking the time to stop and reflect. By slowing down and becoming curious about our reactions we can accept the circumstances and take responsibility for our role.

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. “In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” -Viktor Frankl.

Developing witness consciousness gives us the ability to create space for observation and to grow freely. By becoming the observer, we can respond to others (rather than react) and tend to our own needs with nonjudgmental awareness.

MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness training brings awareness to thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. Practicing mindfulness can give more insight into emotions and improve relationships.