Inviting Inner Wisdom

Learning is not only about the mind. Our bodies often carry what our minds cannot immediately recall. A shift in posture, a deep breath, or the way we hold our hands can awaken memory, quiet distraction, and create space for reflection.

During our recent training with Global Learning Partners in Sofia, Bulgaria, a group from International Baptist Theological Study Centre (IBTS) experienced how our bodies can support learning. We practiced something very simple, yet surprisingly powerful: using physical posture to invite inner wisdom.

Here is one posture you might try: sit with both feet firmly on the ground. Allow your shoulders to relax. Notice your breathing and gently slow it down. Place your hands in your lap with your palms open and facing upward. This position is an invitation, a way of signaling to yourself that you are ready to receive.

When we practiced this together in Sofia, something shifted in the room. The stillness helped us remember insights from the day before and connect with past experiences that were shaping our present learning. By simply engaging our bodies, we created space to listen more deeply.

Think of this as a part of a warm-up, just as a musician tunes their instrument before playing. Before diving into new material, we can take a moment to center ourselves, to bring forward what we have already learned, and to prepare for what comes next.

You might try this before a class, a meeting, or a personal time of reflection. Sit, breathe, open your hands. Ask yourself: What is waiting to be remembered? What am I ready to receive?

These small, embodied practices are not about technique or performance. They are about openness, creating the conditions in which learning, insight, and wisdom can surface. Over time, they shape us into learners who not only absorb content, but also connect deeply with ourselves, with others, and with the experiences that continue to teach us.