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RARE

Raleigh’S Authentic Relating ExperiMent

Shared group exPERIENCEs

  • Break into small groups and play by the rules which are bound to lead to frolicsome fun, affectionate connection, self revelation, or mind expansion! This is the shared meditation practice taught by Benji Whitehurst of AuthenticNC—a chance to develop self awareness, capacity for vulnerability, and skills in creating connection with others.

  • Tried and true games or activities that create opportunities for you to practice brining your inner truth out and into connection with others. Practicing these games will help you to weave a rich and authentic human experience and move towards creating a life that's aligned with your true self. Some games are riotous fun and some are deep or mind expanding.

  • An in-the-moment interpersonal process and group conversation designed to allow for a vivid experience of connection and a deep understanding of another person’s inner world. Also, a chance to reflect back to them how you are being impacted by seeing them, which allows them to expand.

  • Encounter group invented at RARE in which each member arranges to "win" and to have a fulfilling experience using authentic self expression, emotional risk taking, and the cooperative contract. You will be given the tools to help you succeed AND the opportunity to practice in a safe space. This practice builds your skills in navigating relationships and encounters with others, while dealing with what comes up for you in your own psychology. There is also an emphasis on the art of gracefully navigating what is coming up for the other.

  • Improvised Gestalt experiments that fulfill the personal change intention of one group member at a time, with the support of the rest of the group. You will have an opportunity to get something for yourself or change something about yourself in the session that will enhance your life outside of group. Meanwhile as a witness of the others’ experiments, you will have the opportunity to learn. This is the Redecision Therapy process taught by Vann Joines of the Southeast Institute for Group and Family Therapy in Chapel Hill—a life changing and fast acting therapy. Also includes Family Sculpting, Psychodrama, Internal Family Systems, and Transactional Analysis.

ongoing Practice

  • Learn to Reliably cultivate authenticity and vibrant aliveness in your Connections with others.

  • Really see your Self. Get to know you—like never before.

  • Change long term enduring patterns that no longer serve you.

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How it Works

“A RELATIONAL MEDITATION FOR EVOLVING CONSCIOUSNESS: Rather than sitting on a meditation cushion alone, [this] is a relational practice. Instead of focusing on our breath . . . we’re putting attention on what’s arising with another, and between the two of us. By holding a perspective beyond our own, we expand our consciousness . . .”
— Bryan Bayer on Circling (a modality that informs our practice at RARE)
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Wholeness is not achieved by cutting off a portion of one’s being, but by integration of the contraries. — Carl Jung

How To Get Started:

  1. (Optional) Text the facilitator to set up a 20 minute discussion so you can learn about the group and the practices at RARE. Sometimes knowing what to expect and getting your questions answered up front is what you need! The facilitator will meet with you in person, on Zoom, or by phone.

  2. Sign up for a 14-week series where you will stay with the same small group of 8 people. Learn and get comfortable with the practices together. During the 14 weeks, we will rotate through the different modules so you will have chances to experiemnet with them all. As always, you are in charge of your own experience and can choose to observe, or to wade in to the degree that’s right for you.

  3. After that, sign up for another 14-week series, or move to Open Group drop-in sessions. After completing any number of 14-week series, you can come to the Open Group and drop in when space is available. The Open Group will rotate through the modules, and you can come to any you like, and skip any you like. There is also limited availability for a group of participants who like working together to permanently pod off together to practice with the facilitator in a closed group. You might also join a permie pod that is looking for one more.

  4. Live the skills and insights you learn at RARE in your daily life and be aware of how you are leveling up as a result of your practice.

Financial Committment For Each Session:

  • Drop In Open Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ask

  • 14-Week Series Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $62.50

  • Permie Pods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ask

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