THE COLLECTIVE PRESS COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

Creating Safe, Sacred Space for Transformation

Effective Date: December 2025
Version: 1.0

INTRODUCTION: OUR COMMUNITY VISION

The Collective Press community exists to support consciousness development, healing, and the creation of functioning alternatives to hierarchical, extractive systems. These Guidelines establish the norms and practices that make our community a safe, generative space for transformation.

Our Foundation: We recognize that consciousness work involves vulnerability. Healing requires safety. Liberation demands solidarity. These Guidelines create the container within which deep work can occur.

Core Commitment: We commit to creating spaces where:

Truth can be spoken safely
Diversity is honored and celebrated
Trauma is approached with informed care
Power is shared, not hoarded
Knowledge flows freely
Everyone belongs

SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES

1.1 Mutual Respect and Dignity

Every person deserves respect, regardless of:

Constitutional type (Electric, Magnetic, Neutral)
Spiritual background or current beliefs
Stage of consciousness development
Identity (race, gender, sexuality, nationality, class, ability)
Experience level with practices
Pseudonymous or known identity

We honor:

Multiple ways of knowing (rational, intuitive, embodied, spiritual)
Diverse cultural expressions of universal wisdom
Individual sovereignty and agency
Collective wisdom emerging through authentic dialogue

1.2 Trauma-Informed Awareness

We recognize that many community members:

Are healing from childhood trauma, abuse, or oppression
Carry ancestral or collective trauma
Are navigating challenging life circumstances
May be triggered by certain topics or interactions

We practice:

Consent: Ask before giving advice or touching (in-person)
Content warnings: Flag potentially triggering content
Boundary respect: Honor “no” without pressure or guilt
Pacing: Allow people to engage at their own pace
Referrals: Connect people to professional support when needed

1.3 Pseudonymity Protection

Pseudonymous participation is welcomed and protected.

We commit to:

Never pressuring anyone to reveal their identity
Not attempting to discover others’ real identities
Respecting chosen names and pronouns
Protecting the pseudonymity of Memoriam and all community members
Understanding that anonymity serves safety, not deception

Why pseudonymity matters: For some, revealing identity risks employment loss, family rejection, legal persecution, stalking, or spiritual/religious discrimination. Pseudonymity enables full participation for those who would otherwise be silenced.

1.4 Non-Hierarchical Facilitation

Authority in our community is earned through:

Demonstrated wisdom and integration
Service to others’ development
Consistency between words and actions
Accountability and humility

Authority is not:

Permanent or unchallengeable
License to control or exploit others
Credential or status-based alone
Grounds for special treatment

Democratic Mysticism in practice: True teachers work themselves out of a job by empowering students to become teachers. Facilitators rotate. Leadership is shared. Everyone’s voice matters.

SECTION 2: COMMUNITY PRACTICES

2.1 Respectful Communication

We practice:

Active Listening:

Listen to understand, not to respond
Assume good intent while acknowledging impact
Ask clarifying questions before judging
Reflect back what you heard to ensure understanding

Mindful Speech:

Speak from personal experience (“I” statements)
Avoid generalizations and absolute claims
Take responsibility for impact, even when intent was good
Pause before responding when triggered

Constructive Disagreement:

Disagree with ideas, not people
Seek to understand before seeking to be understood
Find common ground even in difference
Agree to disagree when resolution isn’t possible

Avoid:

Personal attacks, name-calling, or insults
Condescension or talking down to others
Spiritual bypassing (“just think positive,” “it’s all one”)
Unsolicited advice or fixing (“have you tried…”)
Dominating conversation or speaking over others

2.2 Confidentiality and Privacy

What’s shared here, stays here — with important exceptions.

Confidentiality applies to:

Personal stories and experiences shared in study groups
Private messages and communications
Information about others’ identities, practices, or struggles
Details of community conflicts or challenges

Exceptions (when confidentiality may be broken):

Imminent danger: If someone reveals plans to harm self or others
Child abuse: If abuse of a minor is disclosed
Consent: If the person gives explicit permission to share
Legal requirement: If required by law (rare)

Best practices:

Anonymize: When sharing learning, change identifying details
Ask first: “Can I share this story (without your name)?”
Public vs. Private: Assume public posts may be widely seen; use private channels for sensitive topics
Your own story: You may share your own experiences as you choose

2.3 Consent and Boundaries

Consent is required for:

Physical touch (in-person gatherings)
Sharing personal information about someone
Energy work or spiritual interventions
Recording conversations or taking photos
Entering someone’s personal space

Respecting boundaries means:

Accepting “no” the first time, gracefully
Not pressuring or guilting someone to participate
Recognizing that boundaries can change
Understanding that “not now” is a complete answer

Your boundaries matter: You have the right to:

Decline to answer personal questions
Leave conversations that feel harmful
Report boundary violations to facilitators
Adjust your level of participation anytime

2.4 Giving and Receiving Feedback

When offering feedback:

Ask permission: “Are you open to feedback?”
Be specific: Describe behavior, not character (“You interrupted” vs. “You’re rude”)
Be timely: Soon after the incident, while still relevant
Be kind: Assume the person is doing their best
Offer support: “How can I support you?”

When receiving feedback:

Listen fully: Don’t interrupt or defend immediately
Thank them: Appreciate their courage in sharing
Reflect: Take time to consider before responding
Apologize if appropriate: “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize”
Make amends: Change behavior, repair relationship

If feedback feels unsafe: You’re not obligated to receive feedback in any particular moment. “I need some time to process this” is valid.

2.5 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We honor diversity in:

Race, ethnicity, and cultural background
Gender identity and sexual orientation
Age, generation, and life stage
Ability and neurodiversity
Class, education, and social position
Spiritual and religious traditions
Constitutional types and ways of processing

We work toward equity by:

Recognizing systems of oppression and privilege
Amplifying marginalized voices
Addressing power imbalances
Making resources accessible (sliding scale, free offerings)
Adapting to diverse needs (accessibility, language, etc.)

We practice inclusion through:

Welcoming newcomers warmly
Creating multiple pathways to participation
Avoiding in-group jargon or gatekeeping
Acknowledging and addressing exclusionary dynamics
Learning from mistakes and doing better

Call-In, Not Call-Out: When someone makes a mistake related to diversity/equity, we practice compassionate education (“calling in”) rather than public shaming (“calling out”), while still holding people accountable.

SECTION 3: SPECIFIC COMMUNITY SPACES

3.1 Online Forums and Discord

Purpose: Ongoing discussion, mutual support, resource sharing.

Guidelines:

Stay on topic in designated channels
Search first: Check if your question has been answered
No spam: Avoid repetitive posting or commercial promotion
Tag appropriately: Use content warnings and spoiler tags
No bots: Don’t use automated posting tools without permission

Moderation:

Facilitators may move off-topic posts to appropriate channels
Repeated guideline violations may result in warnings or removal
Appeals process available for moderation decisions

3.2 Study Groups (Online and In-Person)

Purpose: Deep dive into Sacred Synthesis, Four Pillars practice, governance protocols.

Guidelines:

Commit to consistency: Attend regularly if you join an ongoing group
Do the work: Engage with readings and practices between sessions
Share the space: Balance speaking and listening (“take space, make space”)
Confidentiality: What’s shared in study group stays in study group
No proselytizing: Don’t recruit for other organizations or teachers

Structure (recommended):

Opening: Brief meditation or centering (5 min)
Check-in: Each person shares current state (1-2 min each)
Content: Discussion of reading or practice (60-90 min)
Questions and integration (20-30 min)
Closing: Gratitude and commitments

3.3 Practice Spaces (Meditation, Breathwork, Movement)

Purpose: Embodied consciousness development through Four Pillars.

Guidelines:

Arrive on time: Respect the container by arriving before session begins
Silent entry/exit: Minimize disruption to those in practice
Turn off devices: No phones, notifications, or recordings
Respect the space: Clean up after yourself
Follow guidance: Trust the facilitator’s instructions
Honor your body: Modify practices as needed; rest when necessary

Safety:

Medical conditions: Disclose relevant conditions to facilitator before intense practices (breathwork, vigorous movement)
Pregnancy: Inform facilitator; certain practices may need modification
Mental health: If you have trauma history, inform facilitator; practices can be intense
Modify freely: You always have permission to stop, rest, or modify

3.4 Governance and Organizing Spaces

Purpose: Implementing Democratic Mysticism, creating Sacred Synthesis communities.

Guidelines:

Consensus-seeking: Aim for decisions that work for everyone
Process transparency: Document decisions and rationale
Rotating facilitation: Share leadership roles
Accountability: Follow through on commitments
Conflict as growth: View disagreements as opportunities for collective evolution

Decision-Making Process:

Proposal: Someone proposes action or policy
Clarifying questions: Ensure everyone understands proposal
Discussion: Concerns, improvements, alternatives
Amendment: Modify proposal based on input
Consensus check: “Can everyone live with this?”
Document: Record decision and implementation plan

3.5 Healing and Sharing Circles

Purpose: Witnessed storytelling, collective healing, mutual support.

Special Guidelines:

Witnessing, not fixing: Listen without trying to solve or advise
No crosstalk: One person speaks at a time; no interruptions
Confidentiality is sacred: Never share others’ stories outside circle
Holding space: Facilitator ensures everyone who wishes to speak has opportunity
Emotional safety: Tissues available; permission to step out if overwhelmed

Content Warnings: Facilitator may ask speakers to flag potentially triggering content:

“Content warning: I’m going to discuss childhood abuse”
“Heads up: This story involves violence”

SECTION 4: UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS

The following behaviors violate our Guidelines and may result in warnings, temporary suspension, or permanent removal:

4.1 Harassment and Abuse

❌ Harassment: Unwelcome contact, comments, or behavior that creates hostile environment
❌ Bullying: Repeated targeting of individual with intent to harm or exclude
❌ Threats: Explicit or implied threats of violence or harm
❌ Stalking: Unwanted persistent contact online or in person
❌ Doxxing: Revealing personal information without consent

4.2 Discrimination and Hate Speech

❌ Slurs: Language targeting race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, etc.
❌ Stereotyping: Reducing people to harmful generalizations
❌ Exclusion: Creating barriers based on identity
❌ Hate speech: Content promoting violence or hatred toward groups

4.3 Exploitation and Manipulation

❌ Sexual harassment: Unwelcome sexual attention or advances
❌ Financial exploitation: Scams, pyramid schemes, pressure to donate
❌ Spiritual abuse: Using spiritual authority to control or manipulate
❌ Energetic imposition: Uninvited “healing” or energy work
❌ Guru dynamics: Creating dependency or demanding obedience

4.4 Deception and Bad Faith

❌ Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else
❌ Misrepresentation: Lying about credentials, experience, or affiliation
❌ Trolling: Deliberately provoking or derailing conversations
❌ Sockpuppeting: Using multiple accounts to create false consensus
❌ Espionage: Infiltrating to harm the community or steal information

4.5 Illegal Activity

❌ Illegal content: Sharing or promoting illegal activities
❌ Copyright infringement: Posting others’ copyrighted work without permission
❌ Child exploitation: Any content sexualizing minors (zero tolerance)
❌ Violence incitement: Encouraging or planning violent acts

SECTION 5: REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

5.1 How to Report Concerns

If you experience or witness guideline violations:

Step 1: Direct Communication (if safe)

Address directly: “That comment felt disrespectful. Can we talk?”
Sometimes people are unaware of impact
Document the interaction in case escalation is needed

Step 2: Report to Facilitators

Email: community@thecollectivepress.org
Discord: Direct message to moderators (designated role)
In-person: Speak to event facilitator or organizer

Include:

What happened (specific behaviors)
When and where it occurred
Who was involved
Impact on you or others
Any documentation (screenshots, witnesses)
What outcome you’re seeking

Response Time: Facilitators will acknowledge reports within 48 hours and investigate within 7 days.

5.2 Investigation Process

Acknowledgment: Facilitators confirm receipt of report
Information gathering: Interview involved parties and witnesses
Assessment: Determine whether Guidelines were violated and severity
Action: Decide on appropriate response (see Section 5.3)
Communication: Inform reporter and involved parties of outcome
Documentation: Record incident and response (confidentially)

Confidentiality: Reports handled discreetly. Only those who need to know will have access to details.

Conflicts of interest: If facilitator is involved in incident, another facilitator handles the report.

5.3 Accountability Measures

Responses are proportional to severity and whether it’s a first offense:

Level 1: Education

Private conversation about impact
Resources on relevant topics (e.g., trauma-informed communication)
Commitment to behavior change
For: Minor or unintentional guideline violations

Level 2: Warning

Formal written warning
Temporary restriction on participation (e.g., posting limits)
Required acknowledgment of Guidelines
For: Moderate violations or repeated minor violations

Level 3: Suspension

Temporary removal from community (7-90 days)
Requirements for return (e.g., restorative conversation, accountability plan)
For: Serious violations or pattern of harmful behavior

Level 4: Permanent Removal

Ban from all community spaces
No contact with community members
May involve notifying other communities if safety risk
For: Severe violations (violence threats, sexual harassment, repeat offenses), zero tolerance violations

Appeals: You may appeal accountability decisions by emailing appeals@thecollectivepress.org within 14 days with new information or if you believe process was unfair.

5.4 Restorative Justice Approach

When appropriate, we may facilitate restorative processes where:

Harm-doer takes responsibility and commits to repair
Harmed person’s needs are centered
Community healing and learning occur
Transformation is possible

Restorative practices include:

Facilitated conversations between parties
Amends process (apology, changed behavior, service)
Healing circles for community impact
Ongoing accountability check-ins

Not appropriate for: Severe violations, power imbalances making process unsafe, or when harmed person doesn’t consent.

SECTION 6: SELF-CARE AND SUPPORT

6.1 Know Your Limits

Consciousness work and community participation can be intense. You are responsible for your own wellbeing.

Signs you may need a break:

Feeling overwhelmed or depleted by interactions
Increased anxiety, depression, or trauma symptoms
Resentment toward community or facilitators
Compulsive participation (can’t stay away even when harmful)
Physical symptoms (headaches, insomnia, digestive issues)

It’s okay to:

Step back from participation temporarily
Adjust your level of engagement
Focus on personal practice rather than community
Seek professional support (therapy, medical care)
Leave the community if it’s not serving you

6.2 Resources

Crisis Support:

Suicide Prevention: 988 (US/Canada) or 988lifeline.org
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Therapeutic Resources:

Psychology Today Therapist Finder: psychologytoday.com
Open Path Collective (affordable therapy): openpathcollective.org
NAMI (mental health support): nami.org

Spiritual Emergencies:

Spiritual Emergence Network: spiritualemergence.org
If experiencing spiritual crisis, consult both mental health professional and spiritual guide

Community Support:

Peer support channels in Discord
Study group check-ins
Facilitated healing circles

We are not a substitute for professional care. If you need medical, psychological, or legal assistance, please seek qualified professionals.

6.3 Collective Care

We practice collective care by:

Checking in on each other
Offering practical support (meals, childcare, rides for in-person events)
Creating mutual aid networks
Celebrating milestones and successes
Mourning losses together
Rotating caretaking responsibilities (avoiding burnout of facilitators)

Collective care is not:

One person fixing everyone’s problems
Collapsing appropriate boundaries
Substitute for professional help
Obligation (participation is voluntary)

SECTION 7: FACILITATOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

7.1 Who Are Facilitators?

Facilitators are community members who have:

Demonstrated commitment to Guidelines and practices
Completed facilitator training (when available)
Been selected through community process (nominated and consented)
Agreed to serve for defined term (rotating responsibility)

Facilitators are not:

Permanent authority figures
Professional therapists or teachers (unless credentialed separately)
All-knowing gurus
Above accountability

7.2 Facilitator Responsibilities

Facilitators commit to:

Model Guidelines through their own behavior
Create welcoming, safe spaces for all
Intervene when Guidelines are violated
Mediate conflicts constructively
Maintain confidentiality appropriately
Refer to professionals when situations exceed facilitation scope
Participate in ongoing facilitator development
Accept feedback and accountability

Facilitators have authority to:

Enforce Guidelines through accountability measures
Remove disruptive individuals from spaces
Make time-sensitive safety decisions
Adjust practices to meet group needs

7.3 Facilitator Self-Care and Support

To prevent burnout, facilitators:

Serve for limited terms (e.g., 6-12 months) with option to renew
Receive support from other facilitators and community
Are encouraged to step back when overwhelmed
Are not expected to be available 24/7
Have access to supervision or mentorship

Facilitator Council: Facilitators meet regularly to:

Support each other
Address systemic issues
Refine Guidelines and processes
Share learning and challenges

SECTION 8: ADAPTING GUIDELINES TO CONTEXT

These Guidelines are living documents adapted to context:

8.1 Local Study Groups

May add group-specific agreements (e.g., attendance commitment, practice requirements)
Should maintain alignment with core Guidelines
Can develop unique rituals or structures
Must preserve confidentiality and safety principles

8.2 Online vs. In-Person

Online-specific considerations:

Text misunderstandings are common—assume good intent
Tone indicators helpful (e.g., /s for sarcasm, /gen for genuine)
Video fatigue is real—breaks and optional camera encouraged

In-person-specific considerations:

Physical boundaries more immediate—explicit consent for touch
Accessibility needs (wheelchair access, ASL interpretation, etc.)
Emergency procedures (medical emergencies, fire, etc.)
COVID-19 or illness protocols as relevant

8.3 Cultural Contexts

When implementing Sacred Synthesis in diverse cultural contexts:

Respect local norms: Communication styles, hierarchy, directness vary culturally
Adapt language: Translate Guidelines with cultural nuance, not just literal translation
Consult elders: Engage with local wisdom keepers and community leaders
Avoid cultural appropriation: Honor sources; don’t extractively take without reciprocity
Maintain core principles: Trauma-informed care, consent, equity are universal

SECTION 9: GUIDELINES EVOLUTION

9.1 Feedback and Revision

These Guidelines evolve through community input:

How to suggest changes:

Email: community@thecollectivepress.org with subject “Guidelines Feedback”
Community forums: Designated discussion threads
Study groups: Raise concerns with facilitators
Annual review: Community-wide input process

Revision process:

Community feedback collected
Facilitator Council reviews and drafts revisions
Proposed changes shared with community for input
Final revisions approved by consensus or supermajority
Updated Guidelines published with effective date
Community notified of changes

Review schedule: Annual comprehensive review; as-needed updates for emerging issues.

9.2 Precedent and Interpretation

When situations arise not explicitly covered by Guidelines:

Facilitators use best judgment guided by core principles
Community discusses and learns from the situation
Guidelines may be updated to address gap
Precedent decisions documented (without identifying details) for consistency

SECTION 10: CONCLUSION

These Guidelines are an expression of our shared commitment to creating spaces where:

Knowledge flows freely without exploitation
Healing occurs safely with informed care
Diversity is honored as strength, not threat
Power is shared through democratic practices
Everyone belongs without sacrificing authenticity

Living into these Guidelines is ongoing practice, not perfection. We will make mistakes. We will learn. We will repair. We will evolve.

Thank you for being part of this community and for your commitment to consciousness development, healing, and the creation of functioning alternatives.

Together, we prove that alternatives actually work.

Questions or Concerns:
community@thecollectivepress.org

Effective Date: December 29, 2025
Version 1.0