The Heart of Inquiry: Praxis and Exploration
Speaker: Lynn Koerbel, MPH; Paul Galvin, PhD
Format: Audio

Inquiry features prominently in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) classroom and is a core component to the teaching of MBSR. Inquiry may be one of the most unique aspects of the program and yet complicated to explain and nurture in individuals training to teach MBSR. It can also be one of the more sensitive qualities of the course, often causing otherwise skillful teachers to wonder if they're offering inquiry to the best of their abilities to the participants and class. Inquiry's objectives are many: It can foster curiosity and interest in participants' experience; it can make explicit that which, until this moment, has been implicit or unconscious; it can deepen the group cohesion and bring forth a thrum of resonance, thereby reducing a sense of separation or isolation. One of the key aspects of inquiry is that, while there are guidelines—each teacher's approach is unique—brought about by personal curiosity, sensitivity, and willingness to step into the river of not knowing. This workshop will be led by senior teachers and trainers from the Center for Mindfulness offering background, reflections, and practice activities for participants, furthering the investigation of how to approach inquiry from your own experience, and also working to develop depth and skill. This will be highly interactive: dyads and small group work along with large group dialogue will feature prominently. This workshop is appropriate for MBSR teachers and trainees.