Authentic relating is a process of building meaningful relationships between individuals by cultivating genuine and honest communication. It encourages being vulnerable in the process of getting to know someone, pushing past surface-level interactions to build strong, meaningful connections with one another. Authentic relating is also about cultivating an atmosphere of deep listening which allows for true understanding of each other’s experiences without judgment or compulsion. Through this practice, one is able to deepen their relationship with themselves and others by gleaning insight from honest conversations and creating sustained emotional bonds.

See also: power dynamics, conflict resolution, social change, decentralized organizing