Authentic Relating: A Guide to Rich, Meaningful, Nourishing Relationships

Super grateful a book like this has come out! Finally a book I can recommend or offer others interested in this work! I have been utilizing communication and authentic relating practices for a long time in my own life, and friends and clients have continued to ask me for more information. I've sent along PDF's or documents I had made up to use as an outline or to pass along exercises, but it has felt somewhat lacking without the context of other practices/info. Ryel's book is a comprehensive overview that offers both breadth and specificity around concepts, as well as implementing them into everyday situations. My favorite part was the beginning chapters where I felt I was being led in realtime into the practice- slowing down, connecting to self, etc.- just by his writing style. I also love that there is a Practices and Exercises section at the very end I can easily flip to and dive in. Easy to read and follow along with lots of stories and practical scenarios played out. Hoping an Audiobook will accompany this! I would love to see how it evolves as the practice evolves over time. Overall a wonderful gift to someone who is first being introduced to AR, and also a book I will for sure come back to myself!

What an incredible read! This book is so comprehensive and insightful, with countless practical ways to enhance our relationships. I can imagine reading it many times over and revisiting it often, a timeless guide for living a more meaningful and authentic life. It’s so incredibly thorough and detailed in its teaching of the practice of authentic relating, not to mention how deeply personal it is, clearly illustrating the author’s lived experience and embodiment of the work. Ryel is such a beautiful writer, full of both heart and expertise, guiding us with skill and compassion toward deeper connections with ourselves and others. This book is a true gift to those looking to transform their lives and relationships with simple, easy-to-apply tools and practices. Highly recommend!

Authentic Relating and relational awareness is an evolutionary step towards a more aware and connected world. Ryel's book is beautifully articulated and intelligently sequenced to make these practices of relating doable and easy, while also profound and impactful. I recommend this book to all of my new friends because I value this work so much! I have learned from many great teachers in AR and Ryel is certainly an expert in his field. Thank you for your sacred service in devotion to more rich, meaningful, and nourishing relationships, Ryel.

Am so appreciative of Ryel pulling this book together - it truly is an amalgamation of his live trainings pulled together into one place. As such it is grounded in the reality of teaching people these connection skills (with oneself and others) hundreds if not thousands of times. Just like his live trainings there is real care and vulnerability infused throughout the book. The information is presented in the right order for each teaching to build on the prior without feeling overwhelming, and they are delivered in practical everyday language anyone can follow. The teachings themselves consist of easy to implement tools and are reflected in real life contexts so that anyone could easily imagine how to apply them. As Ryel explains in the book, however, AR is both a set of tools and practice. To get the most out of this book you will need to supplement with practice as it is an embodiment practice at its core - living and experienced within your body. I imagine that having this handy guidebook nearby can help you as you practice should you get stuck, or even as a reminder of core elements of the practice should you forget a piece. So my hope is that someone will read the book and be encouraged to go out and practice, thus feeling more of their whole selves, and welcoming more of others. And where I felt the book the most was in the expression of this very hope at the end.

Authentic Relating has changed my life. And this book is the ULTIMATE guide into the world of what will soon be as widespread as yoga! Thanks to Ryel's teachings, my life has evolved in an unexpected transcendent way. I am eternally grateful for his continual work, blessing mine and so many other's lives in the process. This book will caress your soul with Ryel poetic yet practical words. Reading this book, I found myself highlighting more and more passages, writing notes, having A-HA moments left and right. You cannot remain indifferent to the power of these words and this practice. The teachings are powerful. AND THERE ARE SO MANY TEACHINGS HERE! Dive in, try this out and you will NOT regret it. I long for the day where every household owns a copy of this book, and practices what can be the next step in our human evolution. Authentic connection is nothing short of divine. Find out for yourself. Get this book now!! You will not regret it.

If you're intent on learning the art of authentic love and connection, then Ryel's book will be a wise and welcome companion on your life-long journey. I appreciate that Authentic Relating refers to "practices" instead of pillars, principles, or even guidelines. AR allows for our imperfections and humanity, and even welcomes the authenticity of the struggle to keep showing up and trying to do this "relationship thing" well. The headline is: learn to cultivate authentic love and genuine regard for self, and extend that to others in order to foster true intimacy and connection. This book offers deep insight into why that's so important, and real-world, practical explanations and exercises to help us get there. I'm a student of Authentic Relating, and this book is now my go-to, comprehensive guide to all things AR. Thank you Ryel!!

This book is deeply transformational, thought provoking and human. I believe it holds the key to solve much of humanity’s problems one conversation at a time. This practice is something the world needs now more than ever. After a few chapters, I imagine others, like myself, will feel deeply relieved by the teachings and wisdom in this book. Authentic Relating is truly a life saving practice. And Ryel has written a piece that could save humanity. Grateful to bear witness to this incredible practice made into prose. It has given me a deeper ability to share AR with others and this book will be a gift I will give for years to come.

Authentic relating has made a huge difference in my life, since I came across it in 2019 - I have more connected conversations and deeper relationships. I find that this book is all the good stuff collected in one place for everyone to access. I notice the love and intention with which I believe the book has been written - and how understandable and light the language is. The everyday-situation-examples used to describe the different practices, makes it much easier to grasp and remember for me. I'm looking forward to continue using the book while practicing the exercises.

I wish I found it 30 years ago. Every couple of years I find a book or a course that totally moves me, and makes my heart sing. This is one. It paints a picture of wholesome, hearty, authentic relating, and gives the steps and practices to step towards having one. Heartfelt thanks to the author.

Gwnial fue super inspirador! Muy recomendado

I am beyond happy to finally have in my hands a book that gathers the heart of this fantastic emerging culture. I find the author very touching, super clear with the theoretical concepts, and inspiring in the way he describes how to apply simple tools in our daily life that do nothing less than transform our relationships for the best.

Ryel sumerizes so much important wisdom in this book. The real value is reflected when applying AR to your everyday life.

I wish that e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e on the planet got the chance to read this book, it’s t.h.a.t good to me. I bought five copies at once, so that four of my loved ones can benefit together with me from the gems inside of the pages. Honestly… this book is a treasure hunt for anyone who is interested in/open to connection, whether with themselves and/or others. If this book had reached my hands years before today, I believe my journey would/could have been less devastating&painful&long winded. It would/could have saved me from many hours of therapy and years of feeling completely lost. Reading it has brought so much sense into my inner and outer world! I understand myself better now! This book is the holy grale to connection for me: truths that are seemingly hidden in plain sight, get revealed with clarity and ease. Not in concepts, but in very practical insights, tools and skills. It’s equally nourishing to my hungry mind as it is to my longing heart. In my experience, Ryel succeeds in building the bridge between heart and mind with immaculate precision, in a language that (I imagine) everyone can understand and apply. I’ve recently met Ryel in person and received some of his teachings. With my hand on my heart: there is no gap whatsoever between the writings of Ryel and the person of Ryel. This man embodies what he writes and walks his talk, always open to learn and grow more from every person he meets. As a reader, I can f.e.e.l. that. Which makes it so much easier to absorb and integrate the teachings. To Ryel Kestano: THANK YOU for digging your devotion so deep. Your efforts, sacrifices and genius… changed -and keep changing- my life. You help me be me. (I'm tearing up as I write it down). I humbly bow to you.