Compassionate Inquiry Online Support Group
Compassionate Inquiry was taught to me by world-renowned trauma expert, Dr. Gabor Maté, and as it really aligned with the intuitive spiritual counselling work I was already doing, I integrated the two and Indigenized it with ceremony.
Compassionate Inquiry is an effective tool at helping you get in touch with your authentic self and your feelings (physical / emotional) and / or aspects of yourself and / or blockages you may not even be aware of, and at times, it can even help you to get in touch with your inner child.
Our group is a hands-on experiential learning experience where I will be guiding participants to become aware of and honour / acknowledge and possibly feel one's feelings (emotional / physical) as *feeling the feelings is optional.
*I have come to learn that the act of acknowledging feelings through mindfulness techniques can make a huge difference and it's a powerful way to honour one's feelings to help to maintain a balanced state of equilibrium in all four quadrants of the medicine wheel - emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual.
So this is a way of breathing alongside feelings with mindfulness and presence versus breathing right into them directly and feeling them fully - this technique can be very helpful as a way to more slowly and more safely expose oneself to intense and / or challenging feelings and to build up tolerance to them over time, by doing so in tiny increments which can really help to reduce any risk of destabilization and / or retraumatization.
Also, becoming aware of the body and what one is feeling in their body
can help one to get in touch with one's inner landscape.
As the body stores everything - so a part of this inner work of Compassionate Inquiry,
can also be tracking changes in the body.
So there is also this somatic level to this inner work that isn't solely based on emotions.
I've come to learn that accessing the feelings in this way can really help to get to the root of the matter.
Sometimes it can even by-pass the "story" all together, which helps to shift the feelings
a lot more effectively and efficiently.
But overall this is a natural and organic process that unfolds as it is meant to over time, without any pushing or digging.
CI can help you to release whatever you are feeling (physical / emotional), burdens you are carrying and / or
holding onto, and it can really help through mindfulness practices
and using breathing as a focus to learn to become okay with whatever you are feeling.
Our gatherings can also provide wonderful and important forms of self care and can really help you
towards feeling a sense of connection, community and well-being.
The nature meditation is a way to experience the support of nature and the elements that is available to all of us 24 / 7.
It is very common that often times folks are inadvertently avoiding feelings by engaging learned and unconscious coping mechanisms such as keeping super busy, engaging in social media / internet, numbing via addictions
(to drugs, alcohol, sugar, sex, co-dependent relationships, porn, internet, games, shopping, etc.)
and by engaging in other unhealthy and non-supportive / harmful activities.
CI helps one to become present and aware of their true essence self and feelings.
Our supportive gatherings can go a long way towards helping one to be okay with their feelings
and to learn good tools for managing their feelings versus running away from them.
Because ultimately feelings are there to be addressed otherwise avoidance, denial and suppression of them
can lead to them building up and becoming exaggerated to the point of them
being expressed in unhealthy and harmful ways and / or to them being turned inwardly
resulting in deep and chronic depression, pain and / or other health issues.
It is said that all pain arises from a disconnection from the self.
In the simplest terms, to experience Compassionate Inquiry, one become mores present and mindful.
Surrender the logical mind, focus on your breathing and allow yourself to become more aware of what you're feeling (emotionally / physically), letting go of the monkey mind (by not attaching to thoughts)
and trusting and allowing yourself to be guided in our group.
As with anything, this approach becomes easier with practice.
E.g. Think of the hours invested in learning a new skill or in developing one's abilities - this is no different and so it takes time and commitment to one's own growth, healing and evolution.
Re. Art and creation - some artists and creatives share they are feeling really blocked during the pandemic.
So getting in touch with one's authentic self through the Compassionate Inquiry approach
can also help remove these sorts of creative blockages and get the energy and creative juices flowing again.
Creating while having nature supports in place first can ensure that cathartic releases are supported
and can be better managed minimizing any potential retraumatization and / or destabilization.
Please use the contact form to be added to the email distribution list to receive invitations:
can help one to get in touch with one's inner landscape.
As the body stores everything - so a part of this inner work of Compassionate Inquiry,
can also be tracking changes in the body.
So there is also this somatic level to this inner work that isn't solely based on emotions.
I've come to learn that accessing the feelings in this way can really help to get to the root of the matter.
Sometimes it can even by-pass the "story" all together, which helps to shift the feelings
a lot more effectively and efficiently.
But overall this is a natural and organic process that unfolds as it is meant to over time, without any pushing or digging.
CI can help you to release whatever you are feeling (physical / emotional), burdens you are carrying and / or
holding onto, and it can really help through mindfulness practices
and using breathing as a focus to learn to become okay with whatever you are feeling.
Our gatherings can also provide wonderful and important forms of self care and can really help you
towards feeling a sense of connection, community and well-being.
The nature meditation is a way to experience the support of nature and the elements that is available to all of us 24 / 7.
It is very common that often times folks are inadvertently avoiding feelings by engaging learned and unconscious coping mechanisms such as keeping super busy, engaging in social media / internet, numbing via addictions
(to drugs, alcohol, sugar, sex, co-dependent relationships, porn, internet, games, shopping, etc.)
and by engaging in other unhealthy and non-supportive / harmful activities.
CI helps one to become present and aware of their true essence self and feelings.
Our supportive gatherings can go a long way towards helping one to be okay with their feelings
and to learn good tools for managing their feelings versus running away from them.
Because ultimately feelings are there to be addressed otherwise avoidance, denial and suppression of them
can lead to them building up and becoming exaggerated to the point of them
being expressed in unhealthy and harmful ways and / or to them being turned inwardly
resulting in deep and chronic depression, pain and / or other health issues.
It is said that all pain arises from a disconnection from the self.
In the simplest terms, to experience Compassionate Inquiry, one become mores present and mindful.
Surrender the logical mind, focus on your breathing and allow yourself to become more aware of what you're feeling (emotionally / physically), letting go of the monkey mind (by not attaching to thoughts)
and trusting and allowing yourself to be guided in our group.
As with anything, this approach becomes easier with practice.
E.g. Think of the hours invested in learning a new skill or in developing one's abilities - this is no different and so it takes time and commitment to one's own growth, healing and evolution.
Re. Art and creation - some artists and creatives share they are feeling really blocked during the pandemic.
So getting in touch with one's authentic self through the Compassionate Inquiry approach
can also help remove these sorts of creative blockages and get the energy and creative juices flowing again.
Creating while having nature supports in place first can ensure that cathartic releases are supported
and can be better managed minimizing any potential retraumatization and / or destabilization.
Please use the contact form to be added to the email distribution list to receive invitations:
Traditionally, Compassionate Inquiry is offered one-on-one. You can read more about this approach here to help with understanding it more, and also if you want to learn more about the one-on-one Compassionate Inquiry Counselling sessions I offer:
Our group is private on Zoom (audio only) and runs for one hour.
Our group is not a regular support group so your feelings / experiences are private
as work is done internally - so bring your journal or note pad.
If you want to attend only for the nature meditation part nearer the start you are welcome to.
If arriving late, please note once we get started, I'll be muting everyone and locking the gathering
before we start the CI portion (about 15 - 20 minutes in).
You may become aware of feelings (emotions and / or physical) within but no one need know what you are
feeling and / or experiencing, and sharing at the end of our group is completely optional.
We will start with a guided mediation in nature and then I will help you to create and call in a support network.
This is to help to provide tangible support and a strong foundation
before exploring feelings in the Compassionate Inquiry.
Studies show that having support in place before going into the feelings (especially around trauma, pain and grief)
can help to minimize any potential risk of destabilization and / or re-traumatization.
I will also share some Indigenous teachings as we go along
and other tools that can prove helpful in one's healing and recovery work.
Tools I've learned, created and developed over decades - from my own personal healing journey.
I was happy to offer this supportive gathering of Compassionate Inquiry throughout the pandemic
lock down restrictions - we gathered regularly online on Zoom for over two years.
Participants were able to get in touch with how they're feeling and acknowledge, accept, honour
and / or release their emotions in our safe and supportive space that I create with Indigenous ceremony.
This deep inner work can help with inner child work - some folx have been able to get in touch with their inner child / inner children in our supportive gatherings.
The rate of investment for these gatherings is $25 - click the Buy Now button below and select Online Gathering from the drop down to make a Pay Pal payment or (help me save on Pay Pal fees) by sending an e-transfer
to my email address at soulpurposehealing @ gmail . com (all as one word).
If you want to make a donation to support this work you can do so below, and there's a monthly option if you would like to support my work on an on-going basis which is a great form of Indigenous Allyship, and is most welcome:
You can join in on Zoom from the comfort of your own home which means
our supportive gatherings are more accessible. You don't need a Zoom account to join
and you don't have to download the app if you have a computer, as you can join via your browser.
I look forward to connecting with you again and to sharing this amazingly powerful and transformative tool of Compassionate Inquiry! The support and approaches shared are tools you can use for the rest of your life.
I am so glad that throughout the pandemic restrictions and lockdown (and in light of the financial restraints many were experiencing), that I was able to provide our Compassionate Inquiry Support Group with the majority of the folks attending for free for two years - this was a way for me to give back to my communities and helped folks get through a challenging time. It was lovely to witness how some that couldn't afford to make a donation would attend for a long time and then when their financial situation changed, they'd make a donation as it became possible for them, which was really appreciated. The Rate of Investment listed above is a more sustainable model and ensures I can continue to offer these gatherings - if finances prevent your attendance, please let me know.