New England Chapter:
The New England Chapter consists of the Genesis Spiritual Life and Retreat Center, Holy Family Monastery Retreat Center and the Spiritual Life Center.
Program Offerings:
Online: Monthly BSF Supervision at Genesis
An invitation from Genesis Spiritual Life Center to join us via Zoom for BioSpiritual Focusing Companioning Practice and Supervision during the next year.
The nature of the evening is such that we arrive, take a moment for grounding, and then offer it up to the group as to who would like to practice as companion and who might like to be companioned. We will have the ability to break out into smaller groups on given nights. After the focusing session, we all come back to the space for discussion and questions that allow for deeper learning of the practice.
For the year 2025, the remaining dates are as follows:
The third Monday of every month, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm EST
Feb. 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21,
August 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15.
An email will be sent as a reminder just prior to the next scheduled meeting.
Please contact Mike Smoolca at msmoolca@hotmail.com to be added to the email list.
For any other questions, please contact Donna O’Connor at deejam@comcast.net.
Register: Genesis
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Guided BioSpiritual Focusing Weeklong Retreat
Where: Genesis Spiritual Life Center, Westfield, MA
When: August 14 – 19, 2025
Begins with supper at 6:00pm on Thursday and concludes at 11:00 am on Tuesday.
Cost – $745 Deposit $150. Balance due 10 days prior to start of retreat.
In this guided retreat, we will explore the practice of BioSpiritual Focusing as based on the work of Eugene Gendlin and further developed by Frs. Pete Campbell and Ed McMahon. Participants will attend morning group sessions of learning and discussion, and each afternoon, will meet one-on-one with a Focusing Companion. There will be two optional evening discussions, providing observations and opportunities for questions regarding the process of BioSpiritual Focusing. Silence during the rest of the day is suggested, as in any directed retreat. As you participate in this life-giving and life-changing experience over the course of the week, you will become more and more aware of the sacred story you carry in your own body and the movement of grace in your life.
Leaders: The Genesis BioSpiritual Focusing Team
Register: Genesis
Here are a collection of upcoming BioSpiritual Focusing offerings in this area:
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- Sept 23, Oct 21, Nov 18 2025 ,Jan 20. Feb 17, Mar 17 2026 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. ET. – Becoming a BioSpiritual Focusing Companion – Companioning Basics (Level 3) with Nancy Benben and Mike Smoolca Experienced BioSpiritual Focusing practitioners and teachers, Mike Smoolca and Nancy Benben will offer a comprehensive 6-session program focused on developing BioSpiritual Focusing companions. This is aimed at all those wishing to learn the dynamics of effective and confident companioning. This program has a prerequisite of completion of a BSF Book Study and Practicum or equivalent. This session is currently full, but a waitlist is being taken should slots become available and to establish a priority for future offerings. You can email me to be added to this waitlist.
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- A BioSpiritual Focusing Approach to Supervision for Spiritual Direction Nancy Benben and Mike Smoolca on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm to 8:00pm, beginning September 2025. Additional information will be available soon. Using BioSpiritual Focusing during spiritual companionship can open the door to new insights and deep noticings of the movement of the Spirit. Using it in the context of peer supervision can be equally powerful. If you are familiar with BioSpiritual Focus and would like to hone your skills within the supportive peer supervision circle, please join facilitators
On-Site: A Day of Presence: An Introduction to BioSpiritual Focusing
When: September 27, 2025 9:00am – 4:30pm
Where: Genesis Spiritual Life Center, 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Imagine a space where science meets spirituality, where your body becomes a conduit for divine wisdom, and where every breath draws you closer to the essence of your being. Embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening through the practice of BioSpiritual Focusing. Through prayer, presentations, experiential exercises, reflection, and discussion, you will become more aware of your own sacred story and the movement of God in your life.
Cost: $85
- March 6-8, 2026, Learning and Opening to the Body’s Experience of Living in God – BioSpiritual Focusing weekend Retreat with Nancy Benben, Donna O’Connor, and Mike Smoolca (Overnight Retreat – currently offered at a discount until 10/15/2025)
