Interdependency

Gentle teaching is an expression of what John McGee described as the Psychology of Interdependency. This psychology is a theory about human existence and individual development.
There are three basic assumptions in this psychology.

Human beings are social beings. People need caring communities to live in. Since caring for each other is the binding force in this community, it is also seen as the core quality of every human being. This i loving essence every person has and in this essence is the fundament of our real strength.
In the group you live in, you are an individual by the way you manifest yourself and how you are seen by the other members of the group.

Within this group we also need some important others with whom we have the unconditional relationship in which we feel safe, loved, loving and connected.  This relationship is called companionship and it will help us overcome difficult moments in our life.

Every human being has innate qualities and potentials. We can not develop these qualities and potentials by positioning our self as more important than the person, by imposing our values upon him, or by trying to make him want we want him to be. Personal development and grow has to be rooted in the individuals qualities and potentials. We can only help the person in this growth within a relationship based on equality and support. “A plant won’t grow by pulling it out of the ground, but by watering the seeds”