This forms the final part of our four-part blog series, following the 4 -session book study group on Mindfulness-Based Supervision and Mentoring: Using an Embodied Dialogue to Support Learning and Reflection. As authors and supervisors, we, too, have been reading and reflecting, using the book as a vehicle for further reflection and exploration.
For the final session, our pre-reading and reflections were focused on a selection of chapters from Part 3 of the book, Using the Mindfulness-Based Supervision Framework. The invitation was to read as many of these chapters as felt currently relevant and possible within the time frame.
- Chapters 9-12 cover a range of topics: MBS within Workplace Mindfulness, Developmental Processes, Challenging, Complex and Sensitive issues, and Group Supervision.
- Chapters 13 and 14 focus on You as a Supervisor, exploring the learning and growth of the supervisor, including the use of supra-vision.
In our dialogue together, here are two areas that we discussed:
Challenging, Complex and Sensitive Issues
We both chose to re-read and reflect on this chapter, finding it one of the areas that we continue to explore -because each situation in supervision is nuanced, this feels like it will always be a place to learn and grow. We recognised that these themes really highlight the sense of responsibility when taking on the role of supervisor, and it is also where we most value the central role of the relationship- at its heart, MBS is a relational process, and a healthy supervisory relationship embodies both safety and challenge. We noticed that the more complex a situation is, the more it helps to have a simple framework to guide the process, and we both regularly use the 3-stage process we describe in this chapter to support compassionate and wise responses.
You as a Supervisor
We discussed how the whole of the book study group over the period from January to June this year has highlighted the value of engaging in a continuous cycle of reflective learning. We noticed that the combination of personal reading and reflections alongside engaged dialogues with our peers at regular intervals has supported us in exploring our strengths and growing edges as supervisors, as well as feeding our passion and enthusiasm for MBS.
We each used the MBS Self-Report Competency Checklist as a map, and having used this tool a few times now, we can see that it takes time to become familiar with it. It has been very valuable to hear others’ perspectives on using it, appreciating that different supervisors will find their own ways of reflecting on their growth and development- while a checklist will work really well for some, for others it may not be so helpful, or perhaps just using part of it would be best.
Final Reflections on the Book Study Group
We have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading and reflecting alongside our peers, with the process mirroring the mutual inquiry at the centre of the MBS framework. As one of the three warp threads (alongside the Container and Space), mutual inquiry is what makes it mindfulness-based. We also see where the other warp threads have shown up:
- The Container: Intention- each person making a commitment to read, reflect, and attend and share within the sessions; Integrity- embodied through the supervisors’ commitment to their own ongoing learning and development; Compassion and Wisdom – conveyed through the conversations and connections, including moments of shared laughter and moments of tenderness and courage; Embodied Presence- each person showing up as their authentic self and bringing attitudes of openness, beginner’s mind and curiosity towards each other.
- Space: creating space within busy lives to read, reflect and attend the study sessions, pausing within the dialogues with each other, choosing when to speak and when to listen, space for moments of reflection and practice within the sessions.
We have had requests to run the sessions again, either for those who want to repeat the whole process, for those who missed one or two of the sessions, or for those who were unable to attend the first series. Please see the dates below and contact us for registration.
Wednesday 28th October 2026 at 12.00 – 1.30 GMT
Wednesday 9th December 2026 at 12.00 – 1.30 GMT
Wednesday 20th January 2027 at 12.00 – 1.30 GMT
Wednesday 3rd March 2027 at 12.00 – 1.30 GMT
To see how our vision unfolds and keep in touch with our work around mindfulness-based supervision/mentoring:
Sign up for the latest news: https://www.vividmindfulness.co.uk/ scroll to the orange section and enter your email
Check out our websites/make contact: https://www.vividmindfulness.co.uk/; https://www.pameladuckerin.com/
Read the book: Mindfulness-Based Supervision and Mentoring: Using an Embodied Dialogue to Support Learning and Reflection
