Jennifer Bell
Thinking Environment Facilitator & Spiritual Director
jennifer@spiritdirection.com
Lunchtime Thinking Pairs
COST - FREE
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WHEN - Every Wednesday, 12:00–12:45pm PT (via Zoom)
Give yourself 45 minutes each week to think clearly, be deeply heard, and reset your mind in the middle of your week.
Have you ever had something important on your mind that you just needed to talk through?
Something that’s bothering you — and you know that if you had a little time, and the right kind of listening, you could find relief, clarity, or even a solution?
But the problem is… you don’t have someone who will simply listen.
Someone who won’t jump in with advice, won’t try to fix you, and will stay truly neutral.
This is a place for that.
Once we arrive and settle, you’ll be paired with a partner who will offer you the kind of attention that helps your thinking unfold.
They will not interrupt you — that’s the promise.
They will not give you advice — another promise.
Most people discover they leave with relief, clarity, or a decision — sometimes the decision not to engage, and sometimes the insight they’ve been looking for all along.
SIGN UP FOR A LUNCHTIME THINKING PAIR SESSION HERE ->​​
What is a Thinking Pair?
Equal turns for two people to think for themselves about topics of their individual choice.
There is no dialogue or comment on each other’s thinking.
The ten components or ingredients for a Thinking Environment are maintained.
Attention is an act of creation – it generates thinking in another person. Generative attention is listening to ignite another person’s thinking, which is different than listening to reply. Attention is driven by genuine interest in where the person’s thinking will go next.
Being the listener in the Thinking Pair – settle back, keep your eyes on the eyes of the person thinking, cultivate fascination with what they will say next, know that your job is to help the person think for themselves
How to do Thinking Pair process with a partner
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Find time and space that supports generative thinking – comfortable, free of distractions, private
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Decide with your thinking partner how long you want to think. This should be the same amount of time for each partners thinking.
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Partner #1 goes first, sets timer for the agreed upon time.
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Partner #2 asks “What would you like to think about and what are your thoughts?”
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Partner #1 thinks about a topic of their choice aloud or silently until time is up.
(Note: If the thinker says they are done, they are likely not but have just finished a wave of thinking. The thinker might ask for a follow up question “what more do you think or feel or want to say” to ignite further thinking for themselves.)
Repeat
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Partner #2 sets timer for agreed upon time
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Partner #1 asks “What would you like to think about and what are your thoughts?”
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Partner #2 thinks about a topic of their choice aloud or silently until time is up.
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Each person gives the other an appreciation that is sincere, succinct, and
I am always grateful for level of confidentiality which includes not commenting on another’s content. This retains the deep psychological safety of the Time to Think way.
Ten Components for a Thinking Environment
Attention
Equality
Ease
Appreciation
Encouragement
Feelings
Information
Difference
Incisive Questions
Place