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The Shadow and Love: Healing our relationships to self, others and God

Location icon
53 Mill St, Westfield, MA 01085, USA
Date
October 30 - November 1, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Encountering the shadow may lead us into a whole new identity willing and able to make freer decisions. Without shadow work, prayer and grace we may get stuck repeating destructive patterns of self-loathing, incapacity for intimacy and rigid false images of God. The shadow we fear may be the gateway to transformation.

 
Discover the light hidden in your darkness. Each of us carries within a shadow—a part of ourselves we often avoid, deny, or fear to confront. Yet it is precisely here, in the depths of our unacknowledged wounds and desires, that the Spirit waits to meet us. In this retreat, Br. Don Bisson will guide participants into a profound and compassionate exploration of the shadow self as a path toward wholeness and inner freedom.
Encountering the shadow may open us to an entirely new sense of identity—one that is grounded, authentic, and capable of making freer, more life-giving choices. Without shadow work integration, and without the grounding of prayer and grace, we risk repeating destructive patterns of self-loathing, incapacity for intimacy and rigid false images of God - old patterns that limit our capacity for love. The shadow we fear may be the gateway to transformation
Through teachings, guided reflection, and prayerful silence, participants will learn that the shadow we fear may, in truth, be the threshold where divine mercy leads us into an ever-deepening encounter with love.

Getting Here

Location icon Genesis Spiritual Center, 53 Mill St, Westfield, MA 01085, USA

Accommodation

Program Price - Single Occupancy
Program Price - Double Occupancy (Requires Two People)
Program Price - Weekend Commuter

Customer Reviews

4.89 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Taste of Italy
Truly an amazing evening with delicious food, creative ambiance, and delightful entertainment. Congratulations, Genesis, on launching this new experience of bringing people together for friendship and sheer delight. Looking forward to the next Table of Grace.

5.0
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Biospiritual Focusing retreat at Genesis
I recently attended a five day Biospiritual Focusing retreat at Genesis. The program was excellent. The coordinators experience and wisdom were extremely helpful. I also appreciated their caring and responsiveness to anything I needed.
The staff at the retreat house created a caring, welcoming environment in every way. The food was excellent, and much appreciated. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. It was a very positive experience, and am looking forward to my next retreat there.

5.0
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BioSpiritual Focusing Retreat 8/26
I received so many gifts of new knowledge and experiences from all 4 instructors and many participants. As always I enjoyed all of the outdoor spaces, especially the labyrinth. I truly appreciate the space that was freely available in the chapel, carriage house and friendship hall for myself and others to offer optional groups.

5.0
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Italy at Genesis
It was a wonderful evening. Not only was the food delicious, but the teamwork of the staff was admirable and the camaraderie of the guests made for an enjoyable evening. The ambiance was elegant!

5.0
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Table of Grace
Last Thursday evening I attended a Table of Grace Italian dinner with three friends. It was an amazing experience with sumptuous Italian food and beautiful hospitality. The four of us had been part of a Jubilee Year 2025 pilgrimage in Italy last August 2025 with our parish. The food and atmosphere at Genesis was ‘the real thing’!

Looking forward to the next themed event there at Genesis.

Thank you!

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