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.

BioSpiritual Focusing is a contemplative awareness practice that opens a conduit to the body’s wisdom, allowing for deeper spiritual awareness and moments of grace that can lead to inner reconciliation and new awareness. Those who have been trained to guide others in this powerful practice are welcome to participate in a weekend workshop to hone and deepen their BSF Companioning skills. Topics will include working with the Inner Critic, process skipping, encountering barriers and obstacles, and companioning coaching. Join experienced BSF teachers Nancy Benben and Mike Smoolca for a weekend that will broaden and deepen BSF companioning skills and build kinship and community among other BSF practitioners.

This program is for those who have completed Level 3 of BSF Companioning training (or its equivalent) and are actively practicing with BSF.

Objectives and Goals

1. Explore more deeply key topics, including working with the Inner Critic, process skipping, encountering barriers and obstacles.
2. Include ample time for practice and coaching with Nancy and Mike.
3. Build community of BSF practitioners and companions.

Prework: Complete “Love is Where I’m From,” and Inner Critic Assessment

Retreat Schedule:

Friday
3:00 Check-in begins
6:00 Dinner
7:00-9:00 Welcome, Session I

Saturday
8:00 Breakfast
9:30-12:00 Session II
12:00p Lunch
1:30-3:00 Session III
3:30-5:00 Session IV
6:00 Supper
7:00-8:00 Session V (Optional Fireside Chat)

Sunday
8:00 Breakfast
10:00 Check-out & Departure

About Nancy Benben: Nancy is a lifelong spiritual seeker who believes a relationship with the Divine is at the heart of spirituality. She is an experienced Spiritual Companion, Supervisor, and teacher, and serves on the core teaching team of the Spiritual Companionship training program at the Spiritual Life Center. Nancy is extensively trained in the Enneagram and BioSpiritual Focusing for spiritual direction and personal growth. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and Hartford Seminary’s Women’s Leadership Institute and lives in Eastham, MA, with her husband David, and their rescue kitty, Misty.

About Mike Smoolca: Mike 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.

About Peri Boyle: Peri completed her training in the art of Spiritual Direction under the supervision of Sr. Nancy Brousseau of the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2020. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, Peri is a BioSpiritual Focusing Companion, experienced in 12-step Wisdom, and is especially gifted as a certified ©iEnneagram Motions of the Soul Practitioner which blends the Enneagram and Ignatian Spirituality.