By Annick Nevejan, January 20, 2012
Postgraduate Studies in Mindfulness MSc, Aberdeen University
Part One of this paper explores the process of integration within the person as a whole, or so called ‘intra-personal integration’, which is fundamental for real healing to take place and to fully embody our humanness in the here-and-now. To give insight into the inner workings of the internal environment the insight model by Rob Nairn (Mindfulness Association, 2011) is used in relation to the emerging understandings in social neurobiology as described by Daniel Siegel (2011) and personal insight meditation practice by the author. The aim is to give insight into the complexity of internal human experiences and what it takes to liberate the innate drive toward integration, and finally transformation.
Part Two of this paper explores the process of inquiry in teaching mindfulness, which enables participants to access the deeper world inside and enriches the flow of energy and information in and between members of the group. By orienting the exploration towards b‘nowness’ intersubjective resonance takes place that is ‘snagging the brain’, stimulating neural activation and growth, which promotes intra- and interpersonal integration. Sytems theory based “functional subgrouping ’is discussed as a valuable tool for mindful group inquiry. Part two ends with exploring the qualities of a mindfulness teacher in facilitating the co-creation of mindfulness among teacher and participant, and how to optimize a sense of freedom and belonging to serve the river of integration towards harmony and well-being.