Course Description

Fundamentals of Authentic Relating is a 7 session online series exploring and practicing the foundational aspects of three major movements of attention within relating.

These three movements, which underpin all connection and intimacy, are that of: Listening, Expressing and Attuning.

Understanding these three movements, and developing the skill sets within each one, leads to an ever-increasing refinement of one's ability and capacity to create and maintain connection in any context.

Through developing this level of skill with others, we begin setting the stage for deep exploration of the mystery, embodied spontaneous ritual and archetypical invocations, and organismic consciousness. These expanded practices are taught through collective field work known as Circling.

This course is a practice heavy, experiential dive into somewhat simple, yet infinitely deep, aspects of relating. Understanding and practicing the skills contained in this course leads to an expansion in “relational intelligence”, the awareness of and ability to shape and direct attention within human interaction.

The development of this intelligence creates possibilities of increased experiences of intimacy, ability to provide emotional support for others, clarity in expressing desires and boundaries, enhanced negotiation and conflict resolution capacities, and the welcoming forward of more of the unique essence of yourself and those with whom you connect.

Course Objectives

The following skills are taught, practiced and developed throughout the duration of the course:

Listening

Receptive listening :: embodying the principles of presence, appreciation, non-judgment and spaciousness
Reflective listening :: how to validate and honour another's experience, providing them with the opportunity for deeper insight into self
Active listening :: utilising curiosity as a vehicle of navigation into the infinite universe of another

Expressing

Vulnerability :: expression connected to the intensity of authentic truth
Desire :: the driving force of who and what we are in the world
Boundaries :: how the space between us facilitates genuine connection

Attuning

Immediacy :: bringing shared presence to present the moment
Impact :: creating circuits of connection through acknowledging the impact of another’s expression within oneself
Resonance :: dropping into the experience of interpersonal harmony

Course Breakdown

The course takes place over 7 Mondays from November 30th to January 18th at 6-8pm PDT, 9-11pm EDT, (1pm-3pm Tuesdays AEDT) with "Office Hours" calls occurring Thursdays from 2-3pm PDT, 5-6pm EDT, (9-10am Fridays AEDT).

Session 1 :: Monday November 30th :: Embodied Relating
We will explore the powerful synergy between the skill of receptive listening and the expression of vulnerability, while setting up a safe group container for the course.

*Note this first session will be 2.5 hours long and run from 6-8.30pm PDT, 9-11.30pm EDT*

Session 2 :: Monday December 7th :: Reflection

Developing this listening skill leads to a magical ability to really have others feel seen and heard in your presence. There is an entire world of subtlety available to discover in this skill.

Session 3 :: Monday December 14th :: Curiosity

Curiosity is a relational navigational capacity that, when articulated with finesse, leads others to reveal their depths, creating the possibility of beautiful bonding experiences.

Session 4 :: Monday December 21st :: Desire
How desire is the guiding force of our innate expression of unique essence into this reality.

Session 5 :: Monday January 4th :: Boundaries
The function of boundaries in moderating, mediating and modulating the act of relating and the process of relationship in life.

Session 6 :: Monday January 11th :: Attunement
Entering the “we” space, the intersubjective field that lies between us as humans. Stepping into this field with others, even for a moment, can feel profoundly nourishing, expansive and transformative.

Session 7 :: Monday January 18th :: Closing Circle
The nature of this course creates a deeply intimate group space between the participants. This last session is an opportunity to consciously and safely step out of this shared field while reflecting on the learnings, insights and experiences that have occurred.

Course Inclusions and Expectations

Pre-recorded lecture series for each module of the course
Pre-recorded articulation and examples of the practices given in the course
7 x online "Relational Dojo" practice sessions using the Zoom platform
6 x 60 minute optional "Office Hours" Q&A discussions on the content
Lifetime access to a growing community of like-minded participants eager to grow and learn
15-45 minutes practice ‘homework’ per week within the community
Lifetime free access to evolving resources, including practice manual, videos and ongoing refresher classes
Recordings of Office Hours Q&A sessions

About the Facilitator

I'm Damien. I'm the head facilitator and founder of the work of Evolutionary Relating.

I have been facilitating and teaching groups in intersubjective and relational practices for 10 years now. I have a pretty diverse background, curious mind and seem to be a natural teacher and facilitator. I enjoy creating safe and transformational group containers, and imparting complex knowledge in a way that is easy to grasp.

I'm motivated to offer this work out of a love for planet earth and a deep, compelling desire to contribute to human evolution.