Youth Empowerment: a Journey through the Lenses of Theory U and Social Presencing Theater.
The arrival of the third edition brought about a blend of continuity and depth alongside substantial changes.
As with previous editions, this one signifies both a continuation and a fresh start. I won’t dig further into the initiative itself, as you can find more details in these two sources. Here is the first edition and here is the second edition.
This time, I will build the journey of the process using the language of Theory U, which forms the foundation of my methodology, together with Social Presencing Theater. Please, come to this journey where the story will be told through a Theory U point of view.
The first stage of theory U is Co-initiation: This phase involves bringing together a diverse group to address a specific challenge or opportunity. It emphasizes the importance of deep listening, empathy, and building shared understanding among participants.
This is where our selection process kicks off, and it’s a truly transformative phase. We deliberately curate groups of 18 youngsters with vastly different backgrounds, interests, and proposed topics for the talks. The emphasis here is on fostering a culture of active listening, empathy, and mutual understanding among our participants. We encourage everyone to set aside any preconceived notions about themselves and the subjects they intend to explore at MindGen.
Through various exercises, we encourage improvisation and observation of one another, which, in turn, nurtures empathy. This practice not only helps us see ourselves within the larger community but also the community as a whole, nurturing a dual awareness of the individual and the collective.
It’s during this stage that we dive into the concept of peripersonal space. Just as this spatial awareness is dynamic, adaptable, and intimately connected to the body’s movement and orientation, so is our journey, which adapts to the unique attributes of each participant. Much like peripersonal space is vital for precise actions like reaching, grasping, and connecting with others, ourselves and the space, our co-initiation process is crucial to coordinating diverse perspectives and making informed decisions.
In essence, peripersonal space serves as a metaphor for our shared journey. It’s the zone where our individual experiences and collective wisdom converge, allowing us to effectively navigate and interact with the world around us. We encourage individuals to explore their limits, temporarily suspending self-judgment and approaching our exercises and other participants with open-mindedness.
Our process is an invitation to shed these notions, much like the act of initially being blindfolded in some of our exercises. This process allows our senses to fully perceive before truly seeing, enabling fresh perspectives to emerge. It’s a journey that’s both personal and communal, where we explore the boundaries of our understanding and collectively chart new territories of knowledge and discovery.
Then, Co-sensing follows: In this phase, individuals and groups engage in a process of collectively exploring the current reality, both intellectually and emotionally. This step involves suspending preconceptions and biases to gain a more profound understanding of the issues at hand.
At this point, we had the basis of our process. In our first village, a typical MindGen practice from Social Presencing Theater methodology, we all ended up at the periphery. This is a metaphor, but it is a way to diagnose the evolution of our village, the one that we were creating. We were just starting. If you read my previous article remember “Always starts with the space” as my teacher, Arawana Hayashi says, you will get more about this.
Our village (community) has been always very diverse. This year we were blessed with a remarkable participant, María, who entered our fold with a unique perspective. Born with Down syndrome, she joined us at MindGen, stepping into a program alongside individuals without functional diversity for the very first time and us for the first time too. Her presence marked a significant occasion for us all. Youngsters didn’t know or were afraid of approaching her in the wrong way, but one day I said “Just like anyone else” and from then, it was like this. A lack of tolerance for diversity is a lack of knowledge and a lot of fear. Maria proved to be an unexpected blessing. Aitana, moved by Maria’s innate capacity for compassion, noted that her empathy surpassed even our own. I was profoundly touched by the deep bond that was developing between Maria and Riham — a connection that blossomed before my eyes. Witnessing this interaction was undeniably impactful.
“Social pressure and follow the rules” and “We are not that free” were some of the phrases they were saying as a reflection of our exercises. In a society coloured by societal pressures and conformity to norms, true liberation can often be elusive. Guiding the momentum instead of merely replicating exercises, we discovered newfound autonomy.
Because, employing our mindful process grounded in the triad of methodology — words, body, and metaphor — they unearthed what emerged truly as a profound topic within them, and indeed, they chose to pursue it.
As our journey advanced, the third session concluded with an interconnected human chain — a symbolic testament to our unity. We wrapped up the session by writing appreciation letters for the people who enable us to engage in this endeavour, even if we don’t see them.
Presencing: “Presencing” is a portmanteau of “presence” and “sensing.” It involves connecting with one’s inner self, intuition, and creativity to access a deeper level of awareness and insight. This phase encourages individuals to tap into their highest potential and envision a future that is not constrained by past patterns.
After that village, something happened and you could be sensing the field but then we created a safe and delicate space where a lot of them share very meaningful things, but the group was ready. The village held each of us. Alejandro also said that he was happy to be part of the group because he felt he could help others but what he meant was BEING there for others. The presence part was knocking at the door. The crack was there.
In the next village, Alejandro noticed something special at the centre. As he sat down, he felt a subtle break, and dust particles floated in the air. Surprisingly, this break made him more focused and alert. Strangely, it had a magical quality — it became both visible and transformative.
After the village experience, things changed. There was a subtle, hard-to-explain feeling in the air. Despite this mysterious atmosphere, a safe and caring space was carefully formed. In this haven, many participants shared deep feelings, encouraged by the group’s newfound openness. The village, in its united embrace, nurtured each person.
In the midst of this, Alejandro spoke up once again. He shared his happiness in helping the group, a feeling stemming from his wish to genuinely support others. The importance of being present was evident, and that initial break persisted as a symbol of change and progress.
During hat session everybody opened up, with words and bodies.
Sensing from the field. The cranes are in the middle of this process.
We organized a significant event in collaboration with other European organizations — the “1000 Cranes for Peace” initiative. Motivated by the one-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine, our goal was not just to express a desire for peace but to actively contribute to it. The event was a tremendous success, and it wasn’t just about the day itself; the entire process was remarkable. We felt a sense of system change through the symbolism of the cranes.
Presencing
Field dance, the acclaimed moment. This Social Presencing practice is one of the most expected every year. It is like our precious secret, we are creating the expectation through the process with the new speakers.
Everyone sees and listens to the others with open heart. Knowing more than the topic, knowing the whole of the person. Can we offer that to the audience on the day of the event? Yes, it is, and we were training that, but not as a goal to reach more, but as a skill to cultivate. Offering that to the audience, any audience, at any moment in our lives, is first a great gift to ourselves.
Everyone sees and listens to the others with open heart. Knowing more than the topic, knowing the whole of the person. Can we offer that to the audience on the day of the event? Yes, it is, and we had been training that, but not as a goal to reach, but rather more as a skill to cultivate. Offering that to the audience, any audience, any moment in our life, is, first of all, a great gift to ourselves.
After presencing deeply, things (everything) start to move very fast. In my experience, most of the process is about downloading, suspending, and letting go. After staying with oneself for a while, it gets very awkward to hold on to what is not genuine and feel disconnected. It tends to crack.
Then it happened. Maria finally voiced the crack. We had sensed her discomfort, but she hadn't expressed it until now. The village, though solid, became even more tightly knit in that moment. We could see her unease, but it wasn't until she spoke up that we truly understood. Instead of judgment, the village responded with care and a genuine appreciation for her honesty.
It brings to mind Ivania, the organizer from the first year and a speaker, who once said, “The village is not about what you do; it’s about how you connect with others”, Isn’t that what keeps us anchored to each other? The quality of our relationships defines our shared experience. Maria’s openness had proven this, reinforcing the idea that genuine connections have the power to shape not only individual experiences but the collective essence of our village.
Co-creating: Once individuals and groups have gained a deeper understanding and clarity, they can begin to co-create innovative solutions and prototypes to address the challenges they face. This phase emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and experimentation.
As the event drew near, I sensed that we needed to practice the “stuck” exercise. The perfect opportunity arose during a session at a theatre, following an aesthetic twenty-minute dance and a village activity. While I facilitated from the audience, observing rather than actively participating, I was still co-creating the space with them. It was a special moment to witness and capture through photography.
During the session, Riham caught my attention as she bravely opened up and embraced her movements, displaying a newfound inner courage. She was the first to step down from the stage, take a seat among the audience and stand in their midst, immortalizing that moment in my heart and likely in her spirit.
After this powerful moment, the “stuck” exercise became relevant, a testament to Riham’s insightful perspective as mentioned earlier.
Following the “stuck” exercise, Alejandro remarked, “It is not only important to see but also to do” I believe that engaging in the “stuck” exercise is a way of actively addressing and overcoming the obstacles that may be hindering progress in this creative and innovative process.
Co-evolving: The final phase involves implementing the solutions and innovations that have emerged throughout the process. It emphasizes continuous learning, adaptation, and the evolution of the organization or system.
It was also about me
In the role of a facilitator, guiding others through their struggles unveils a dual journey. It’s not just about participants; it’s about navigating our challenges while helping others navigate theirs. The process isn’t a linear path; we can’t be present in every session, recognizing the importance of independent exploration within the group. When I mention this, I am referring to my own experience. I did struggle for different reasons, but still, I could be there being aware of that.
Humility is a vital trait for a facilitator and it was for me on this journey. Acknowledging our vulnerabilities creates an authentic connection with participants. This humility fosters an environment where genuine, mutual support can thrive.
And of course, not any journey is free from fear. Both facilitators and participants confront fears — fear of facing pain, vulnerability, and the unknown. The communal nature of this journey requires empathy, understanding, and a commitment to fostering a safe space.
Embodying the big day: performing by the whole
As the event unfolded, we found ourselves profoundly changed from the individuals who embarked on this journey. Everything exceeded our expectations, as usual, and it was truly amazing. However, I’d like to leave you with some powerful youngster’s reflections.
Álex was the last to step onto the stage, and as I offered words of comfort that everything would be alright, he looked at me with an unprecedented level of concentration and said, “I know, I trust myself, I trust you, I trust us, and I trust the process.” All the hard work had paid off.
Closing the event, Andrés addressed the entire audience, saying, “MindGen is like being at home, and what you learn at home, you never forget”
The narrative in this article has been helped by Alejandro’s notes of each session. So I need to end with his closing words that resonated deeply with me. He shared, “I changed the end of the conclusion of my talk. I hadn’t rehearsed it before, and my legs quivered with nervousness, yet I held the confidence that all would be well. It will be well because I am aware of my intended message, what I want to convey on stage, and most importantly, because I have undergone a transformation and I am not the same person”
And so, with this final reflection, it is time to draw the curtain on this story.
Thanks for reading. Thanks to all the youngsters who enrich my social field. Thanks to Arawana Hayashi, my SPT teacher, and Peter Block for being such a great inspiration in my work of community building.
If you want to learn more about these initiatives or collaborate with them, please reach me at deborabarrientos@gmail.com.
If you are asking what is theory U?
“Theory U” is a concept and framework developed by Otto Scharmer, a senior lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a prominent thought leader in the fields of organizational development and leadership. Theory U is a model for understanding and facilitating profound organizational and personal change. It draws from various disciplines, including systems thinking, mindfulness, and social science, and it offers a structured approach to addressing complex challenges and fostering innovation.
Theory U empowers individuals across organizations to shift away from reliance on past approaches and instead focus on the possibilities that lie ahead in our future. This transformation encourages critical self-reflection, leading to a deeper connection with one’s intuition and the insights of others.
By guiding leaders to operate with a future-oriented perspective rather than clinging to historical practices, Theory U enables the orchestration of organizational transformation on a global scale using creative and adaptable methodologies.
To confront the challenges of tomorrow, emerging leaders must not simply draw lessons from the past; they must instead learn from the unfolding future. This entails delving into their blind spot — the wellspring of creativity where their past and future selves converge.
Theory U is widely applied in various fields, including business, government, education, and social change initiatives. It offers a holistic and transformative approach to addressing complex problems and fostering positive change at both the individual and collective levels. It’s also worth noting that Scharmer’s work on Theory U is deeply intertwined with his ideas on leadership, sustainability, and conscious capitalism, making it a comprehensive framework for addressing the challenges of our time.
The name “Theory U” is derived from the shape of the letter “U,” which represents a process of change and learning that involves the following stages.
