Center for Mindful Inquiry & Transformative Phenomenology
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
– Changing Ourselves, Lifeworlds & Professional Practice –
Our mission is to foster caring and compassionate communities by developing self-awareness, supporting collaboration, and encouraging community engagement.
We envision a world where individuals are deeply self-aware, and communities are rooted in compassion and collaboration.
We strive to create spaces where individuals can experience personal and professional growth, meaningful connections, and a deeper sense of belonging. Our efforts aim to inspire and empower individuals to contribute positively to their communities, leading to a more inclusive and empathetic world.

A passion for creating spaces for personal & professional growth
Discover the power of reflective writing to unlock self-awareness, personal growth, and profound change. Contact us for further information about our education programs.
Transformative Writing Workshops
Join our transformative writing workshops offering reflective writing for personal growth. Transformative writing offers a transformative journey of self-discovery, perspective-taking, and connection with both oneself and others. Tap into your wisdom, challenge preconceptions, and embrace the richness of diverse perspectives for personal and intellectual growth.
Somatic Retreats
Our retreats focus on transformative practices that combine body-based interventions, mindfulness, and phenomenological approaches to foster healing and personal growth. The somatic retreats may include activities like therapeutic yoga, meditation, and breathwork to help participants release trauma and reconnect with their inner vitality. These experiences are designed to create a safe and supportive environment for exploring physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of well-being.
Workshops for Groups
These writing workshops are designed to address the unique needs of diverse groups such as veterans, those dealing with trauma, professional leaders in business or non-profits, and individuals who are grieving or facing loss. The workshops raise self-awareness, foster healing, self-expression, and growth. Practitioners (coaches, therapists, social workers, and peer counselors) are able to engage in reflective practices that can lead to enhancement of professional insights and self-care. Business and non-profit leaders are guided through narrative techniques to inspire, communicate effectively, and build authentic relationships. Each workshop is tailored to its audience, creating a supportive and transformative environment.
Understanding Mindful Inquiry
Mindful Inquiryis a reflective approach that integrates mindfulness with various traditions of inquiry, such as phenomenology, hermeneutics, critical social science, and embodied awareness. A core concept is to encourage individuals and groups to increase reflection, increase self-awareness, and become more conscious of their own biases and assumptions. Mindful inquiry emphasizes the importance of being present and thoughtful throughout interactions in order to promote a deeper understanding of others.
Understanding Transformative Phenomenology
Practitioners of Transformative Phenomenology embody qualities of embodied consciousness, wonderment, authenticity, and contemplative practice, seeking to raise consciousness, promote healing, and drive positive change in individuals, organizations, and society. Improving well-being and effectiveness in transformation efforts across various practical domains.
Showcase
David Rehorick and Valerie Malhotra Bentz, in their works such as Transformative Phenomenology: Changing Ourselves, Lifeworlds, and Professional Practice, explore the potential of scholar-practitioners to enact personal and societal transformation. They emphasize the role of phenomenological inquiry as not just a method but a way of being that fosters deep self-awareness and connection to others. By blending lived experiences with intellectual pursuits, scholar-practitioners can uncover new dimensions of understanding and meaning. Their approach highlights how reflective practices and mindful engagement with the world can lead to transformative insights, reshaping lifeworlds and professional practices
An array of resources
Discover the power of Mindful Inquiry to unlock self-awareness, personal growth, and profound change. Contact us for further information.
Publications
- Insight: In-depth knowledge and actionable steps for meaningful personal and professional growth.
- Empowerment: Tools and strategies to embrace transformation and achieve goals.
- Inspiration: Compelling narratives motivate readers to unlock their full potential.
Stories
- Motivation: Ignite hope and spark personal growth.
- Connection: Foster empathy and a deeper understanding of shared human experiences.
- Transformation: Encourage change, offering new perspectives and possibilities.
Podcasts and Videos
- Growth: Unlock potential by delivering for self-awareness and transformation.
- Clarity: Provide tools and insights to help navigate challenges and achieve meaningful goals.
- Encouragement: Empower listeners and viewers to embrace change.
Testimonials
- Validation: Proving the impact of personal and professional transformation
- Motivation: Demonstrating that meaningful change is achievable for anyone.
- Trust: Encouraging others to embark on their own transformative journeys.
“Discover the power of Mindful Inquiry to unlock self-awareness, personal growth, and profound change.”

Valerie Malhotra Bentz, PhD
Co-Author of Mindful Inquiry and Transformative Phenomenology
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