Mike Smoolca is a spiritual director and supervisor as well as a BioSpiritual Focusing companion and teacher. He is a contemplative group and workshop facilitator, and a dedicated teacher and student of contemplative practice and wisdom spirituality. Mike is a Contemplative Outreach presenter, trainer, and coordinator, a coordinator and presenter for the Christian Contemplative Experience at Holy Family, Contemplative Outreach of CT and the Northern CT Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society.
Nancy Benben has been a Seeker her entire life, exploring many spiritual paths along the way. She believes that the desire to be in relationship with the Divine is the essence of spirituality and that when we follow that desire, we are led to encounter the multifaceted heart of the Holy. Nancy is a Spiritual Companion, Supervisor and teacher of many years and is part of the core teaching team of the Spiritual Companionship training program at the Spiritual Life Center. She has extensive training using and teaching Enneagram and Bio-Spiritual Focusing as tools for spiritual direction and personal growth. Nancy is a graduate of Northwestern University and Hartford Seminary's Women's Leadership Institute. Nancy and her husband David live in Eastham, MA with their sweet rescue kitty, Misty.
Details of this retreat
Brought to you by Genesis Spiritual Life Center & The Spiritual Life Center
Experienced BioSpiritual Focusing practitioners and teachers, Mike Smoolca and Nancy Benben will lead a comprehensive 5-session program focused on developing BioSpiritual Focusing Companions. This is aimed at all those wishing to learn the dynamics of effective and confident companioning.
The 2-hour sessions will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and will be held over Zoom. Topics will include:
BioSpiritual Focusing Flow and conceptual background
Clearing Space methods
Companioning Process, Methods and Skills
Agape, Affection Teacher and Experience, and Affection Response
Safety and Process Skipping
Beginning to work with the Inner Critic
Next Steps
The monthly sessions will include teaching, small group exercises and large group Q&A /sharing.
Between sessions there will be partnering experiences to practice what has been learned in the session modules, providing opportunities for each partner group to receive coaching and feedback from a trained and practicing BioSpiritual Focusing companion. Readings and various exercises will also be assigned to deepen the student’s Companioning skills.
Participants will need a copy of “The Focusing Student’s And Companion’s Manual, Part One,” by Ann Weiser Cornell & Barbara McGavin. A PDF copy will be supplied to each person attending.
Prerequisite: Completion of a BSF Book Study, BSF Introductory program or equivalent.
Customer Reviews
4.91 out of 5.0 average rating
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Perfect
I had a wonderful first visit during a weekend retreat.
The food and hospitality were just right. Clean, comfortable rooms, comfie bed and pillows, too. Love having a sink in the room. The program I attended was well planned and entirely worth the trip. I plan to return as frequently as I can for future events. Thank you!
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Becoming the Wise Woman: Embracing the Sacred Path of the Elder
Janice led our small group of wonderful ladies through exercises that made us think, helped us remember, and strengthened us our resolve to embrace the life we have this very moment. Through journaling, meditation, yoga, small group discussions and small and large group sharing we grew connected to one another and strengthened ourselves. I would recommend this retreat to my friends. I have attended retreats with Janice before and have made plans to do so again
The retreat house is lovely, clean and well managed. The food was delicious
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Upgrading the Heart: Living Beyond the Egoic Operating System
My experience was one of quiet peace, and unwinding from my busy life. At the same time, I felt an inner excitement to be learning new techniques to contemplative living. The grounds and spaces were quieting, and pleasant. Everyone's quiet friendliness made me feel confident, and accepted. I made friends, and felt refreshed by being around unique people, but with common passion.
Thank you.
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A heart-expanding experience
I recently attended Father Bill Sheehan's Upgrading the Heart: Living Beyond the Ego Operating System at Genesis. It was such an expansive experience that it's hard to believe I was only there for 43 hours. It felt like 4 or 5 days! Father Bill is such an amazing priest. He has been doing and teaching Centering Prayer for decades, and there is no one like him! He is so knowledgable, compassionate, articulate, and humorous. This workshop brought me closer to myself and to God than I would have believed possible in just a weekend.
As always, Genesis provided a warm (literally and figuratively!), comfortable, welcoming and supportive space as the backdrop for our learning to take place. Jen's meals were delicious, nutritious and plentiful. The staff were welcoming, kind and helpful.
I have already signed up for Father Bill's return workshop in December.
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Enneagram for the Inward Journey
This was an excellent retreat and a very spiritual experience. Genesis is a place of peace and transformation.
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