Surrendered Leadership: Circling, Collective Shadow & Embodiment | John Thompson

John Thompson is a transformational coach, facilitator, and co-founder of Circling Europe, now known as Transformational Connection — an organization that has brought the practice of Circling to over 25 countries worldwide. Before discovering Circling, he was an elite tennis coach specializing in performance psychology and pioneering new ways to use sport as a vehicle for personal growth. Today, he teaches the practice of Circling to leaders and organizations worldwide.In this conversation, we explore what surrendered leadership actually is and the five principles of Circling that underpin it, the healing effects of Circling and how it integrates with therapy, and the potential pitfalls of Circling — including the collective shadows that can emerge within Circling communities themselves.We also get into how Circling facilitates vulnerability and beginner's mind, the power of naming what's present, common barriers advanced practitioners run into, psychedelics and Circling, embodiment, and integrating descending and ascending spirituality.We close with one of the most beautiful framings of the whole conversation — both savoring and saving the world — and why at the end of it all, it really is about love.A rich and honest conversation for anyone drawn to Circling, conscious leadership, shadow work, and the deeper dimensions of relational practice.🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗Circling Europe What is Circling? My experience with Circling Europe's SAS facilitator training Healing Developmental Trauma — Laurence Heller Ken Wilber Jordan Peterson🕰️ TIMESTAMPS 🕰️0:00 - Introduction2:04 - How John got into elite tennis coaching and performance psychology3:34 - John's introduction to circling and how the practice impacted him11:14 - What is surrendered leadership?15:04 - The five principles of circling25:12 - The healing effects of circling — integrating therapy and circling34:31 - The potential pitfalls of circling37:59 - Collective shadows of circling communities42:15 - How circling facilitates vulnerability and a beginner's mind47:27 - The power of naming what's here49:13 - Uncomfortable parts of circling52:04 - Common barriers advanced practitioners run into55:44 - Psychedelics and circling59:35 - Embodiment1:03:29 - Integrating descending with ascending spirituality1:07:31 - Eros, aliveness, and the transmutation of sexual energy1:10:57 - The impact of Ken Wilber and Jordan Peterson1:14:05 - What is society mirroring in me?1:16:19 - Both savoring and saving the world1:17:56 - Will the practice of circling continue to grow in popularity?1:27:04 - Remember it's all about love*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