The Power of Self-Inquiry
It was love at first sight when I discovered the ‘Self-Inquiry’ technique. A profoundly significant moment. A catalyst for change. An awakening that would shift the course of my life…
August 2018: my friend, and then sub-tenant, asked if he could host a meditation and discussion event in my home. I’m all for new people and experiences, so I happily and absent-mindedly agreed.
Considering it was being held right outside my bedroom, I figured I may as well join in too.
Now… it’s safe to say the evening exceeded my expectations. Not only did I meet a loving community of people, but I was introduced to Self-Inquiry.
Firstly, perhaps I should explain how Self-Inquiry works.
- It begins with a guided meditation through four centres in the body.
- Then, each participant briefly shares about the state of their inner world.
- Next, the facilitator invites one person to share any blocks or contracted emotions and the area/s of life they believe are linked to that feeling.
- From there, the group provides that individual with mindful feedback — the 360-degree reflection helping the individual to discover new perspectives and insights.
- The same method repeats with another individual as the energy ripples across the entire group — the philosophy being that uplifting an individual will uplift the group.
The technique is non-dogmatic and suited to modern society. Irrespective of one’s background or beliefs, it has the ability to help any person with almost any challenges life presents.
My mind was blown by the simplicity of the practice, yet how powerful and transformative it was in its application.
“The simplest things in life are the most extraordinary. Let them reveal themselves” — Paulo Coelho.
Our ‘Soul Talk’ community, birthed from the Self-Inquiry technique, ignited a heart-awakening dynamism within me.
I was hooked.
So, over the coming months, my fascination grew.
I loved the concept of exploring my inner world in a group context. A few of us felt called to build our Soul Talk community, and so we ran weekly events, inviting people to peak behind the curtains and feel the magic we were co-creating and co-experiencing.
As my practice increased, things organically shifted in my life.
My priorities and perspectives on career, money, community and service were being shaken up. Self-limiting beliefs, long-standing paradigms and old stories were disintegrating. I changed.
From a theoretical point of view, I understood the value of serving community. For the first time in my life though, I got a real taste of an altruistic existence. I found something to pour my love and energy into.
My priorities and perspectives on career, money community and service were being shaken up. Self-limiting beliefs, long-standing paradigms and old stories were disintegrating.
Soul Talk became an essential community and Self-Inquiry became a sacred practice, two key tools in my kit. I was held by both as I shared about deep-rooted issues and insecurities, childhood pain, adolescent angst and finding meaning in my adult life.
Although my own healing was nourishing and cathartic, my heart overflowed with love when I witnessed the healing of others. I found it endlessly satisfying and enlivening to offer a framework for people to shift their lens, break through their barriers and find a sense of upliftment.
Through Self-Inquiry, I learned to give myself permission to recognise my emotions. When distressing tensions arose, the technique guided me to access my inner knowing. From there, I could work through the feelings and resolve the blocks more effectively.
If I felt anger, sadness, fear or guilt, I learned not to reject or dismiss them, but instead to name and acknowledge them, e.g. “I am sad” or “I feel anger”. Very simple, very effective.
Self-Inquiry enhanced my metacognitive awareness and helped me recognise my thought and behaviour patterns, whilst the Soul Talk community modelled truth and transparency.
More than ever before, I was able to show up with honesty and integrity for myself and those around me. I was moulded into a better family member, friend, partner and human.
Naturally, I started to activate a hell of a lot more self-love too.
Fast forward to 2020 — a year of collective suffering and change. For me, it was also a year of tragedy and transition. Tragedy as I suddenly lost a very dear friend, transition as I shifted my career into a new space.
I feel fortunate to have had friendly Soul Talk faces to support me and a familiar Self-Inquiry framework to lean on. Both helped me reach some level of peace, acceptance and understanding about my friend’s loss. Both motivated me to live in closer alignment with my values, personally and professionally.
Later in 2020, I had the pleasure of commencing facilitator training with the original creators of the Self-Inquiry technique. As they had lived and breathed this technique for decades upon decades, I humbly sat back and soaked in their collective consciousness and advanced intuition.
Now, at the conclusion of the training, I feel spiritually supercharged to share this wisdom far and wide.
My vision is to empower people to deepen their relationships, optimise their health, find purpose and connect with something greater than themselves.
I feel spiritually supercharged to share this wisdom… to empower people to deepen their relationships, optimise their health, find purpose and connect with something greater than themselves.
I see a lot of suffering and loneliness in the world, now more than ever. Across workplaces, educational institutions, community groups and everyday interactions, I see people who desperately need this work.
Whether this remains a labour of love, or crystallises professionally, I intend to deliver this work.
If you’re interested to know more, please reach out to me ❤️
