SELF-INQUIRY: CULTIVATING MEDITATIVE PRACTICES FOR HEALING, GROWTH, AND FREEDOM
The process of Inquiry allows us to discover and release from subconscious programming that keeps us stuck and suffering. We all carry conditioning, automatic reactions to buried beliefs and hurts. This conditioning, if left unexplored, limits our capacity to live fully and freely. Inquiry practices use meditative techniques to help us to uncover this subconscious programming and begin the process of healing and release.
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The practice of Inquiry is an art, and yet there are skills and orientations that can be learned to help make the process more effective and efficient. This course is designed to offer a variety of tools to help in the development of an inquiry practice. The course will be a mix of guided meditations (recorded and available for practice), experiential exercises, short talks, and inquiry practice, both individually and in pairs.
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Topics covered include:
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Why Inquiry is Valuable
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Using Meditation as an Experiment
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Cultivating Self-Kindness and Working with the Inner Critic
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Inquiry and Trauma – Caveats and Skillful Means
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How the Body Aids in Inquiry
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How we Identify and Work with Emotion (with a special discussion on Anger)
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Recognizing Patterns of Thought
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The Importance of Allowing, and Inviting Discomfort to Tea
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Resourcing, and How to Deal With Moments of Overwhelm
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Investigation – How to Gradually Deepen Awareness
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Investigating Deeply-Held Beliefs
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Working with Old Hurts and Wounds
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Forgiveness
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Healing through Reparenting
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Working with Imagery
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Interpersonal Inquiry
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Note: While self-inquiry can open up new possibilities for freedom and well-being, it can also be destabilizing at times. It is important that you self-monitor any tendency to feel overwhelmed along the way, and, if needed, have additional support available. If you have any concerns, please contact me.
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Tuition: $550. Price includes eight 2.5-hour live experiential sessions, a 6.5-hour daylong retreat, a workbook, and eighteen guided meditations.Scholarship is available. Contact me to apply.
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Venue: Zoom Videoconference
UPCOMING INQUIRY COURSES
NEW COURSE STARTING JULY 2025
Details coming soon
All classes and retreat offered via Zoom Videoconference
REVIEWS FROM INQUIRY
PARTICIPANTS
Stan's Inquiry course was phenomenal. The choice of topics as well as the talks, meditations, handouts and suggested at-home practices were engaging and incredibly helpful. Stan has a way of explaining some rather "unexplainable" topics, clearly. He is compassionate and insightful. The class ran smoothly--the pacing, in terms of talks, meditation time, experiential exercises, and Q&A was perfect. The class also ran smoothly from a technological point of view. Stan is extremely generous with his time and with his materials. All materials were, and still are, easily accessible online. Cathy's assistance added another positive dimension to the class. It was helpful to watch her and Stan demonstrate some of the experiential exercises. If you are looking for a class that will provide an opportunity for tremendous growth in both your life and in your meditation practice in a well-run, safe space, I highly recommend Stan's Inquiry class.
~Maryellen
Stan is a skilled teacher with a deep grounding in meditation who presents carefully structured, impactful learning experiences.
~Inquiry student
I went into the Inquiry class with an open mind. I came out of the class with a different perspective on awareness and how I can relate to what is taking place on a moment-to-moment basis. The class also helped deepen my awareness of what was going on with me internally, and introduced the insight that peace can only be found within.
~Clay
I have learned new things about myself and my patterns of thought, emotion and behavior. The reparenting exercises and self-kindness were valuable in facilitating healing.
~Anne
I highly recommend this Inquiry course led by Stan where he offers invaluable tools and shares lots of wisdom on how his students can access the deeper aspects of themselves. Stan is a caring and knowledgeable teacher, a loving presence who holds the space for his groups in a way that everyone feels safe to be vulnerable.