April/May Newsletter: Integral Circling, European Circling trademark

Headline news:

• Jason Digges launches the Integral Circling School! See below.
• European group initiates a legal challenge to the Circling™ trademark. See below.

Note: on alternate months, the Circling Guide newsletter highlights offers from the smaller providers. This is one of those months. If you want to be included in a future newsletter, just reply to this email. 

1. What’s happening in the community?

• Integral Circling is reborn! See below
• Sophie and I are starting a new cohort of Authentic Relating in Community (ARC) on Tuesday May 13, with a free introduction on Tuesday May 6. This is an AR experience specifically intended for people joining or creating Intentional Communities (IC’s). Pricing starting at $299 for the 6-week program.
• Sara Ness and Kaela Atleework are leading a residential AR retreat near Austin TX on May 16-19
• Mihai Banulescu is hosting Connection Games events all over the world. Including one recently in Santa Cruz CA, and a week-long dance immersion in Montpelier France starting May 30
• Sara Ness is asking for funding for formal research on AR, with a focus on the amazing SeekHealing. See the original post here.

2. Integral Circling is reborn!

Jason Digges has launched the new Integral Circling School!

This is a major event in the community as Integral Circling went down 5 years ago with the closing of the Boulder Integral Circling. Below is a summary of Jason’s proposal. Original announcement is here.

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Jason says:

For those involved in the AR and Circling Movement back in 2012-2018, the Integral Center is legendary. There were many weekly circling and AR events, with people traveling from Europe and Australia to take courses and connect with the community.

After years of training with circling leaders and facilitating, I ventured into a new mission. I often asked myself how I could share this depth and presence in a way that would resonate with more people—not just those focused on psychology and spirituality.

This led me around the world, translating circling practices into The Art of Being Human. It became a 2-day course with plenty of structure and teachings that has allowed thousands to experience the presence and connection possible through relational practice. 🤝

After co-founding ART and teaching in 20 cities, I needed rest. I’ve been on a different, more inward journey these past couple of years. While I’ve taught courses every few months for AuthRev and created smaller projects, I knew in my heart that someday I’d want to bring something into the world that was my own creation—something that could be a vehicle for transformation for many people.
A year after the Boulder center closed, Integral Circling went dormant for nearly 5 years, with no way for people to learn this school. Back in 2016, Robert Macnaughton hosted The Relational Leadership Summit, bringing together leaders from different schools to discuss their unique approaches and insights. This kind of dialogue is vital, and part of the ICS mission will be to compare and contrast different schools so practitioners can truly understand the landscape.

Recently, I’ve been talking with people in the Relatefulness and Circling communities about gaps in the wider community. People want to learn to Facilitate Circling, but current options are limited.

So here’s the big announcement: Integral Circling is coming back! In a few weeks, I’ll be launching an online school offering experiences and practice in this lineage, along with facilitator training (at a modest monthly cost) and a path to Certification.

With circling, we can explore ourselves and others in a slow and dynamic way, leaping into the mystery of the unknown together. Drawing from my 7 years of leading Authentic Relating Training, I understand that aspiring facilitators need clear guidance and structure. I’m creating a robust curriculum now, and it’s been amazing to revive the many teachings that accelerated my own growth a decade ago.

I’m thrilled with the people who have aligned to help with this mission, and I’d love to hear from old-school circlers in this community. Please reach out!

3. European group initiates legal challenge to the Circling™ trademark

[more content to follow]

4. Other news: Conscious Community experiment launches in Spain

I am very interested in the intersection of AR and Intentional Community (short-term or long-term), so this offer by Achim Burkard got my attention. The Nomad Nature Temple is a 1 week to 3 month immersion experience in Southern Spain. Designed for “digital nomads, visionaries and activist”, the dates are 20 June – 14 September 2025. There are very attractive pricing plans. Check it out!

Note: There is increasing interest within the AR community in IC’s and eco-villages, and vice-versa. My course Authentic Relating in Community is designed to address the needs of people wanting to bring AR into IC’s.