The Yoga of Conversation: Circling, Deep Listening & Conflict transformation | Guy Sengstock

Guy Sengstock is the founder and creator of the Circling method and Circling Institute — a relational practice that has been transforming how individuals, groups, and corporations relate to each other for over two decades. An artist, philosopher, bodyworker, poet, and visionary, Guy holds a Bachelor in Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute and is the co-founder of the Arte Center for Excellence and the Bay Area Men's Circle.In this episode, we explore how the practice of circling emerged, what makes it genuinely distinct from other relational and therapeutic modalities, and why Guy compares the circling experience to psychedelics in its capacity to shift perception and deepen presence.We get into what listening really is — and why most of us have never truly experienced it — the barriers that keep us locked in surface-level conversation, how to cut through small talk and into something real, and the three core agreements that make circling work.We also explore conflict — why we need it, how to transform it rather than avoid it, how to diffuse judgment, and what it means to genuinely embrace the discomfort of otherness. Guy also speaks about Dia-logos and his own journey of transforming childhood trauma through relational practice.A rich and practically grounded conversation for anyone hungry for deeper human connection and more authentic relationships.🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗Circling Institute Circle Anywhere What is Circling?🕰️ TIMESTAMPS 🕰️0:00 - Introduction 1:51 - Artem shares how circling impacted him 4:45 - How to cut through small talk 8:01 - How the practice of circling emerged 17:20 - What is circling? 19:44 - Comparing circling to psychedelics 23:59 - The barriers to deeper more meaningful conversations 31:55 - Artem speaks on his desire for depth in life and relationships 38:58 - What listening really is 45:37 - Is circling for everyone? Contraindications 49:30 - The three agreements of circling 52:48 - Conflict — why we need it and how to transform it 1:02:32 - Understanding and diffusing judgment 1:16:09 - Embracing the discomfort of otherness 1:27:58 - What is Dia-logos? 1:34:34 - Circling Institute's offerings and vision 1:41:00 - Guy speaks about transforming his childhood trauma 1:54:22 - Where to connect with Guy*Subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch the video versions of the Elevating Consciousness Podcast *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional