This 2-session workshop will explore the ever evolving and unfolding; art and practice of what we call Inquiry. So often people come to their mentors with a question: how do I do Inquiry?” There is one word that pops out- the word- do. Implying the idea that there is a “doing“ to inquiry. We will explore how we can move from our doing mode to truly being with another person in the moment. This is where we will start building awareness of the scaffolding of inquiry and how we move to what is alive in the moment in the relational field.

Mindfulness practice has been shown to increase our self-awareness and ability to regulate emotions, and improve our relations with others. Mindfulness is an important component of compassion, which requires awareness and clear-seeing into our stress, both as individuals and collectives. Compassion involves acknowledging stress and suffering, combined with the wish or actions to alleviate the stress. One of the ways our society and systems perpetuate suffering is through oppression, which arises when there is a power imbalance, where some groups are over-empowered and other groups are treated as inferior.

This advanced training intensive is for MBSR teachers who wish to deepen their understanding of universal principles for teaching mindfulness-based interventions. As such, the focus for this training is less about teaching to the structure of MBSR and more about intentionally embodying mindful presence and strengthening the facilitation of mindful inquiry. Inquiry is both a practice and a skill. As a practice it is the ability to convey the philosophic underpinnings of mindfulness with an integrity that invites our participants to embark on a journey of discovery about the relevance of mindfulness practice as an approach for reducing stress and for the prevention of depression relapse. As a skill, mindful inquiry, demonstrates a willingness to embody the spirit of mindfulness with an oral congruity of where that understanding rests. The training is highly interactive and highlights the necessity of personal practice as a platform from which to teach.

This silent retreat is for those already teaching or interested in teaching mindfulness-based programs (MBP) such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention Therapy and Mindful Self-Compassion. In addition, it is open to individuals who would like to further develop their mindfulness meditation practice. A familiarity with mindfulness meditation is expected. An important aspect of teaching MBP is the requirement to have a personal mindfulness practice. This 5-day retreat will consist of sustained periods of silence, (vital for deepening a personal practice and fundamental to teaching), afternoon sessions of engaged inquiry into exploring the attitudinal foundations of mindfulness, additional meditation practices to foster and strengthen kindness and compassion, and evening talks. Throughout the week there will be scheduled group and individual meetings with the teachers. The Retreat meets the requirements for teacher training and certification at the Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute, University of California at San Diego.

This advanced training intensive is for MBSR teachers who wish to deepen their understanding of universal principles for teaching mindfulness-based interventions. As such, the focus for this training is less about teaching to the structure of MBSR and more about intentionally embodying mindful presence and strengthening the facilitation of mindful inquiry. The training is highly interactive and highlights the necessity of personal practice as a platform from which to teach.