Inquiry: the art of dialogue

2-day workshop | May 9 + 16, 2025  live online
Deepen your skills and develop more ease in inquiry

Inquiry is one of the important tools of a mindfulness teacher. At the same time, inquiry can be challenging – especially when we feel we need to ask the right questions, or even the one question leading to the ultimate insight! In this workshop, we explore these kind of dynamics, that can prevent us from being fully present with a group.

We will also explore the role of a mindfulness professional, which is essentially different from that of a therapist or teacher, and the different attitude and skills it requires. The workshop meetings are highly interactive. Theory and reflection are alternated with lots of practice.  In small groups you can experiment with various forms and styles of inquiry. The intention of this 2-day workshop is to demystify ‘perfect inquiry’ and, instead, develop more ease and more connection in our dialogue with the group. Participants can bring in questions from their own practice.

Format:
This workshop offers much exploration and practice. It is offered on 2 days in two consecutive weeks, so that you can try out new approaches in the week between both sessions. Two days, live online, on May 9 + 16, 2025. Both days from 09:30 – 16:30 (CET) with breaks and mindfulness practice. 12 hrs (accredited by VMBN, Dutch association).

Contents:

• The role of inquiry and how it evolves over the 8 weeks;
• Different forms of inquiry, and some of the theory behind it;
• Doing mode and being mode while teaching;
• Inquiry based on not-knowing and inquiry based on advice;
• Mutual practice in dyads and small groups;

For whom:
A training for new and experienced teachers alike. For those who wish to refresh or deepen their inquiry skills. And for those who wish to leave the “list of good inquiry questions” and are open to experiment with ways to connect with greater ease.

After this training, you will:

• have more insight into the role and application of inquiry;
• have more skills in working with the different forms of inquiry;
• be more comfortable in the dialogue with individual participants;
• have greater ease in tuning in to the group process;
• know when to start and when to stop the inquiry process.
• learn to work from a place of connection and have more meaningful conversations with your group.

Experiences of participants in previous Inquiry workshops:
“I used to be focused on asking the right questions and, as a result, often felt lost when participants brought in something slightly different than what was on my list of questions. After this workshop I feel more relaxed, and confident that I can connect with what my participants really need.”

“Great workshop with many new insights. I have learned to explore with participants with curiosity and more ease.”