When I was studying the field of relational practice for my book conflict = energy I wanted to understand how the communities before the circling and AR movement understood these teachings. I knew that we were standing on the shoulders of NVC, Marshall Rosenberg, and Gestalt, Fritz perls, and many other modalities.
I also knew that we as a community were bringing a new energy and articulation to the art and science of how these practices help us grow our emotional and relational intelligence.
In this process, I interviewed Susan Campbell who was teaching T-group in 1967, and is still writing and teaching today! That was 8 years before I was born and I entered my 5th decade recently.
This article will help readers understand the history of AR, Circling, and Relatefulness by introducing the paradoxical theory of change from Fritz Perls and Arnold Beisser. And then explore a theory that I formulated that the east coast T groups, and West Coast esalen inspired encouter groups roughly mirror the main difference in Integral Circling VS surrendered leadership.