Cityspace: Spaces to breath and reflect in the city of Edinburgh



Cityspace Criteria

The criteria for the spaces, events and conversations that appear on our listings:

Spaces

Cityspace promotes spaces that offer:

  • opportunity for undisturbed rest and reflection
  • reflective exhibitions/stations
  • opportunity to ponder, meditate and/or pray

No particular faith allegiance is be required to access these spaces. All spaces are free to access and open to the general public.

Events

Cityspace promotes events that are characterised by one or more of the following:

  • quiet and silence
  • the use of music/singing simply to support a reflective ambiance/environment
  • guided reflection rather than directed activity
  • space for personal exploration
  • no expectation to directly participate or share
  • no expectation to enter into conversation unless sought by participant
  • no requirement for allegiance to worship anything or anyone.

Though recognising their validity, Cityspace does not promote events or spaces which are centred on:

  • encouraging people to join an organisation, faith/spiritual group or church
  • formal worship, talks or lectures
  • counselling.

Conversations & Courses

Cityspace highlights conversations and courses offering the opportunity to explore one’s personal or spiritual journey with trained spiritual directors and prayer guides.  This kind of spiritual exploration is distinct from the service of counselling.  Cityspace does not include organisations that offer counselling but if this is a service you are seeking you may wish to visit the Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA) website, the professional body for counselling and psychotherapy in Scotland.

To be promoted on the site, individuals and/or groups offering these conversations spaces need to be rooted in the Christian tradition and/or are in harmony with the principles of Cityspace, including: being reflective, acknowledging Mystery, personal journey and goodness. In addition, those offering conversation need to demonstrate a commitment to professional practice by having been appropriately trained and receiving ongoing supervision.

Resources

Cityspace includes resources, both Christian and those of other faith traditions, which are considered to be in harmony with the Cityspace vision and ethos.


Cityspace Glossary

Definitions of some terms used on this website:

  • Reflective - on this site 'reflective' refers to space, events or conversations which provide a place for someone to freely explore what is happening for them rather than one in which they are told what is happening in/to them or what should be happening in/to them.
  • Spiritual conversation - on this site 'spiritual conversation' refers to a conversation that is focused on exploring a person's relationship with God/ the Transcendent/ Mystery (however they may conceive God). Spiritual conversation encourages reflection on this interaction or relationship, and explores how this impacts the way they live and make choices
  • Trained prayer/spiritual guide - on this site 'prayer/spiritual guide' refers to someone that simply listens and accompanies a person as they explore how God/the Transcendent is acting in their life. Cityspace advocates that these guides are trained and receive ongoing supervision.