I wanted to talk today about the power of inquiry.
Have you ever noticed that when you begin with inquiry people pay attention? And when this inquiry is self directed, you begin to pay attention as well?
Typical statements, commentary, and self talk is, well, just that – typical. It’s expected and it’s on auto pilot. So much so that it becomes habituated. Even the responses become habituated!
But when we start by inquiring, “the beginner’s mind”, as it is known in Zen Buddhist traditions, we are met with qualities such as awe, curiosity, and wonder. And this positive resonance has a deep impact in how we approach the very thing we are dealing with, whether in the outside world or our very own inside world.
Inquiry allows for possibility.
To inquire means there is a curiosity in getting to know something or someone. It means you are open to learning. And this is beautiful.
When we approach with inquiry we are more open than ever. We begin to see things we never would have seen. We begin to feel things we never would have felt.
As an experiment, try it today! Whether it is with a difficult emotion you are encountering or headed into work and seeing old & new co-workers, start with inquiry. See what comes up before your brain goes on auto-pilot. Ask yourself:
- What’s new here?
- Why am I feeling this way?
- Why am I thinking this way?
- What can I learn from this?
- Is there anything else I can learn from this?
- With assumption X, can I know this to be absolutely true? (ref, Byron Katie)
And watch what happens. Observe the response, and even in the response inquire even more.
You see, when we inquire we not only allow for possibilities and higher resonating qualities within us, we are, as a byproduct, being mindful of what is in front of us as well as what actually arises.
Here’s to a bit more inquiry in our lives and seeing what newness unfolds.
In wellness,
Susan
Photo by Cody Davis on Unsplash
