What Is Compassionate Inquiry and How Does It Work?
Introducing the CI approach through the lens of deep listening
“When we are heard, we feel lighter. When we are truly listened to, we begin to heal.” – Dr. Gabor Maté
Have you ever felt like people are listening to respond, but not truly hearing you?
Or maybe you’ve shared your struggles, only to be met with advice like: “Be strong,” or “Forget about it.”
Compassionate Inquiry (CI) offers something different.
It is a gentle, trauma-informed approach to emotional healing developed by Dr. Gabor Maté, a globally respected physician and trauma expert. At its core, CI is about deep listening — creating a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your emotions, beliefs, and patterns with compassion.
What Makes Compassionate Inquiry Unique?
In a world full of quick fixes, CI doesn’t try to “solve” you. Instead, it helps you understand yourself — deeply, patiently, and with kindness.
Here’s what makes it different:
- Deep Listening: The facilitator doesn’t just hear your words — they notice your tone, body language, and the emotions beneath what’s said.
- Gentle Exploration: Through thoughtful, open-ended questions, you are guided to see the root of your emotional patterns.
- Body Awareness: Emotions live in the body. CI helps you reconnect with these sensations, which often hold unspoken truths.
- No Judgment, No Rush: You are met with compassion, not criticism, so healing can unfold at its own pace.
How Does a CI Session Work?
In my program, The Art of Witnessing using Compassionate Inquiry, a session typically involves:
- Arriving in the Present: We begin with grounding — settling into the here and now.
- Exploring Your Story: I gently guide you to share what’s alive for you — a thought, feeling, or challenge.
- Compassionate Inquiry: Through mindful questioning, we explore where this emotion or pattern comes from, often tracing it back to its roots.
- Noticing the Body: We pause to sense what your body is communicating — tension, heaviness, or even relief.
- Integration: We end with reflection — helping you leave with clarity and a sense of emotional safety.
This is not about fixing you. It’s about helping you witness yourself with new eyes.
Why Does Deep Listening Heal?
When someone listens to you with full presence:
- Your nervous system relaxes — you feel safe enough to open up.
- You discover patterns you couldn’t see alone.
- You realize your pain makes sense — it’s not weakness, but a natural response to past experiences.
This is the heart of CI: Compassionate listening creates the conditions for real transformation.
Final Thoughts
Compassionate Inquiry is not clinical therapy.
It’s a healing dialogue — one rooted in compassion, curiosity, and presence.
When you experience this level of deep listening, you begin to uncover what’s been holding you back. And slowly, you learn to meet yourself with the same compassion.
If you’re ready to experience this gentle but powerful approach, I invite you to explore my program:
The Art of Witnessing using Compassionate Inquiry — a safe space to listen deeply to your story, and to yourself.
With care,
Amulya Parmesh
Join Glitz Arogya and begin a journey of authentic living — through the Art of Witnessing.
About the Author :
Amulya Parmesh, MSc Psychology (BPS), YCB-certified Yoga Teacher & Evaluator, and Holistic Therapist (CI, PRT, CBT), is the founder of the Glitz Arogya Mind-Body Program. She brings a unique blend of scientific understanding and yogic wisdom to her practice. Glitz Arogya is dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve holistic well-being through integrated mind-body therapies.
