Authentic Relating Games are interactive exercises designed to create deeper connections and more genuine communication between people.

These games provide a structured framework for participants to explore heart-centered connection, practice active listening, and expressing themselves more authentically. Games range from simple activities like "The Noticing Game," where participants take turns sharing observations about themselves and each other, to more complex exercises that involve making requests or sharing personal truths. Participants can always choose how much or how little they want to share and are encouraged to 'lean into their edge.'

The primary goal of these games is to break down social barriers and create a space for open, honest interaction. By engaging in playful yet meaningful activities, participants can develop greater self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills.

Authentic Relating Games can help individuals build stronger relationships, improve communication, and cultivate a sense of community.

The Core Principles of Authentic Relating Games are:

  1. Welcome Everything: This principle involves embracing all emotions, thoughts, and experiences without judgment. And if there is judgment, welcoming that too! By welcoming everything, participants create a space where authentic connections can develop naturally because we aren't hiding aspects or making parts of ourselves or others 'wrong'

  2. Check your Assumptions: This principle invites individuals to let go of preconceived notions and judgments. By checking assumptions, participants can engage with others more openly and authentically, allowing for a deeper understanding of different perspectives and leads to a process called 'weaving a shared reality'

  3. Reveal Your Experience: Participants are encouraged to share their personal experiences and feelings as openly as they can. This principle involves expressing one's true thoughts and emotions in the moment, which can be edgy and fill us with unknowns and aliveness as well as inspire others to do the same and build a culture of authenticity

  4. Own Your Experience: This principle emphasizes taking responsibility for one's own feelings and perceptions. It encourages individuals to acknowledge their unique perspectives while remaining open to the viewpoints of others, fostering mutual understanding. An active expression of this principle is using '"I" statements'

  5. Honor Self and Others: Respecting both oneself and others is crucial in authentic relating. This involves maintaining personal boundaries, taking care of yourself as needed while actively listening and empathizing with others' experiences, creating a balanced and respectful interaction informed by consent

  6. ****Lean into Your Edge:****A core concept that encourages individuals to push themselves slightly beyond their comfort zone.
    This principle involves:

    • Embracing Discomfort: Leaning into your edge means willingly facing situations that make you slightly uncomfortable or anxious, rather than avoiding them

    • Optimal Growth Zone: It suggests finding a balance between staying in your comfort zone and pushing too far beyond your limits. The ideal growth occurs when you lean just slightly beyond your current capabilities or fears but not so far to where you are overwhelmed

    • Continuous Challenge: This principle advocates for consistently challenging yourself

    • Self-Awareness: It requires recognizing your current limitations and fears, and using them as a guide to where growth is possible

    • Transformative Potential: By leaning into your edge, you open yourself up to new experiences, skills, and personal transformation

    Leaning into your edge is about finding that sweet spot where you're clearly uncomfortable, but not so far out of your depth that you're likely to retreat entirely. It's a practice of gradual, intentional expansion of your comfort zone, leading to personal growth, development and aliveness!