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:
Listening Deeper: An Advanced BioSpiritual Focusing Companioning Workshop
With Genesis BioSpiritual Focusing Team
September 25 – 27, 2026
Step into a deeper way of listening, one that honors both the wisdom of the body and the movement of the Spirit. This advanced BioSpiritual Focusing (BSF) workshop invites trained practitioners to refine their companioning skills through guided practice, expert coaching, and shared reflection. Over the course of an immersive weekend, participants will engage key challenges while cultivating a supportive community of fellow companions committed to growth, healing, and grace-filled awareness.
This program is for those who have completed Level 3 of BSF Companioning training (or its equivalent) and are actively practicing with BSF.
- $445.00 – Single Room Program Price
- $370.00 – Double Room Program Price (Requires Two People)
- $285.00 – Weekend Commuter Price
- $235.00 – Virtual Program Price
Date & Time Details: Check-in begins Friday, September 25, 2026, at 3:00pm – Check-out & Departure Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 10:00am
Location Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
Address 53 Mill St, Westfield, MA 01085, USA
Contact: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
genesis@genesisspiritualcenter.org
(413)-562-3627
Virtual Registration Option: To register to attend this program virtually, please call us at (413)-562-3627
October 19 & 26, November 2 & 9 at 6:30-8:30pm eastern
As a way of exploring October’s theme of Courage and November’s theme of Healing in more depth, Soul Matters is thrilled to offer a four-week online class in BioSpiritual Focusing. The class will be run by UU and trained BioSpiritual Focusing teacher, Nancy Benben. Learn more about Nancy here and on our Team Page. BioSpiritual Focusing is a contemplative awareness practice that taps into the body’s wisdom to deepen spiritual awareness in a way that leads to personal growth and healing. Participants will not only experience this process but will learn how to make it a part of their personal on-going spiritual practice routine.
This 4-part series will introduce participants to the basic concepts of BioSpiritual Focusing and how it complements other contemplative practices. Here are the topics that will be covered:
- Psychological and spiritual foundations of BioSpiritual Focusing
- Learning the practice of “clearing of the space” – opening your awareness to your body’s wisdom
- Learning how to notice a “felt-sense” and “felt-shifts”
- Working with your inner critic using “process skipping”
- Learning to do BioSpiritual Focusing with in a group of fellow practitioners
- Using BioSpiritual Focusing as a regular personal discernment practice
Dates & Times: Four meetings – October 19 & 26, November 2 & 9 at 6:30-8:30pm eastern
(*Note: We will run this intro group again in the winter-spring term on March 1,8,15,22)
Cost: $110 total
Online: Monthly BSF Supervision at Genesis
Register: Genesis
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Guided BioSpiritual Focusing Weeklong Retreat
Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive BioSpiritual Focusing Silent-Directed Retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. This retreat is open to individuals with BioSpiritual Focusing training and background.
Date & Time Details: Check in Wednesday August 12, 2026 at 3:00pm – Check out Tuesday August 18, 2026 at 10:00am
Location: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
Address: 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA 01085
Contact: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
genesis@genesisspiritualcenter.org
(413) 562-3627
Cost: $600.00
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Listening Deeper: An Advanced BioSpiritual Focusing Companioning Workshop
Step into a deeper way of listening, one that honors both the wisdom of the body and the movement of the Spirit. This advanced BioSpiritual Focusing (BSF) workshop invites trained practitioners to refine their companioning skills through guided practice, expert coaching, and shared reflection. Over the course of an immersive weekend, participants will engage key challenges while cultivating a supportive community of fellow companions committed to growth, healing, and grace-filled awareness. This program is for those who have completed Level 3 of BSF Companioning training (or its equivalent) and are actively practicing with BSF. More info
Date & Time Details: Check-in begins Friday, September 25, 2026, at 3:00pm – Check-out & Departure Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 10:00am
Location: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center and Virtual
Address: 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Contact: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
genesis@genesisspiritualcenter.org
(413) 562-3627
Cost:
- $445.00 – Single Room Program Price
- $370.00 – Double Room Program Price (Requires Two People)
- $285.00 – Weekend Commuter Price
- $235.00 – Weekend Virtual
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BioSpiritual Focusing: Day of Presence
This workshop is an overview and introduction to the history and 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. You will deepen your connection to the One, “in whom we live and move and have our being.” No prior experience with Focusing is needed. More Info
Date and Times: Begins at 9:00am and Ends at 4:30pm
Location: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
Address: 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Contact: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
genesis@genesisspiritualcenter.org
(413) 562-3627
Cost: $85.00
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BioSpiritual Focusing Silent Directed Retreat – 4 Day
Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive BioSpiritual Focusing Silent-Directed Retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. This retreat is open to individuals with BioSpiritual Focusing training and background. More Info..
Date & Time Details: Check in Tuesday November 3, 2026 at 3:00pm – Check out Sunday November 8, 2026 at 10:00am
Location: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
Address: 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA 01085
Contact: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
genesis@genesisspiritualcenter.org
(413) 562-3627
Cost: $600.00
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BioSpiritual Focusing Immersion Experience (2026-2027)
With Dawn Turgeon, Mike Smoolca, Donna O’Connor and Nancy Benben
When: January 1, 2026 – June 19, 2027
Discover the wisdom your body longs to share. Wrap yourself in the study and experience of BioSpiritual Focusing.
The BioSpiritual Focusing Immersion Experience is an 18‑month journey of embodied spirituality and self‑discovery. Rooted in the pioneering work of Dr. Eugene Gendlin and further developed by Fr. Peter Campbell and Fr. Ed McMahon, for the purpose of deepening one’s spirituality, BioSpiritual Focusing invites gentle awareness of the felt sense—the subtle stirrings within the body that carry meaning, memory, and the mystery of the Divine.
BioSpiritual Focusing (BSF) is a guided contemplative practice that helps individuals connect with their inner wisdom by intentionally noticing and nurturing the body’s subtle felt-senses, rather than relying solely on thoughts or emotions. Through quiet attention, participants learn to be present to sensations or feelings that arise within, offering them gentle presence and compassion. This process can foster a deeper sense of wholeness, self-understanding, and healing, while enhancing one’s spiritual awareness and ability to experience grace in daily life.
With the support of a guide and through compassionate presence, participants learn to listen to these inner movements as pathways to healing, grace, and deepened connection—with self, with others, and with God. More than a program, we invite you to fully engage yourself in an experience that cultivates everyday mysticism and an embodied way of living.
The experience unfolds step by step, beginning with an introductory retreat, continuing with a BSF book study, and culminating with BSF Companionship training, ultimately equipping you to accompany others in this transformative practice. Along the way, you’ll share in retreats, a book study, days of presence, monthly focusing circles, and one‑on‑one sessions.
Program* Components:
- BSF Days of Presence (3 separate days)
- BSF Book Study Practicum (10 weekly sessions)
- Weeklong BSF Retreat (5 days)
- BSF Companionship Training (6 monthly sessions)
- BSF Community Gathering (1 day)
- Monthly Focusing Circle
- Monthly One-on-One Peer BSF
Optional components at reduced cost:
- Companioning Supervision
- Individual sessions with an experienced leader
- Silent directed retreats.
If you feel called to explore BioSpiritual Focusing more deeply—and to grow into the sacred story held within your body—the BioSpiritual Focusing Immersion Experience offers a profoundly transformative path.
Program Cost: $1,575
* The BioSpiritual Focusing Immersion Experience brings together a series of programs from the Genesis calendar (BSF Days of Presence, BSF Book Study Practicum, Weeklong BSF Retreat, BSF Companionship Training). You can learn more about each program offering by visiting each programs description on the “Our Programs” page.
Location: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center Address, 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Contact: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
genesis@genesisspiritualcenter.org
413-562-3627
- Cost: $1,575.00 – Program Price – 18 months
- Register now
