Body Presence and Contemplative Awareness

An Introduction to

BioSpiritual Focusing

Presented by

Mike Smoolca

Saturday, February 12th, 2022

9:30 AM to 2:15 PM (Central)

[ 10:30 AM to 3:15 PM (Eastern ) ]

Co-Sponsored by

and

Workshop Theme:

Discover a deeper awareness of healing and wisdom accessible to each of us through our bodies. BioSpiritual Focusing, like Welcoming Prayer, is a practice that allows you to become more aware of welcoming and holding your body feelings with curiosity and loving care. BioSpiritual Focusing allows you to directly access the Wisdom of your Body and the healing experience of God's grace that comes with attending to the body feelings you carry within. At its most profound level it gives you access to your membership as the collective Body of Christ. In this experiential workshop you will be introduced to the overall method of BioSpiritual Focusing and be given some tools and awareness you can apply to enhance your own sense of Body Presence and Contemplative Awareness. We'll cover the following material:

Conference 1: How BioSpiritual Focusing fits into the Landscape and Spirituality of Body Presence and Contemplative Awareness practices.

Conference 2: Introducing BioSpiritual Focusing - Clearing Space and The Felt Sense - The fundamental building blocks and tools

Conference 3: The method of BioSpiritual Focusing with demonstration, discussion and next steps

Presenter:

Mike Smoolca is an experienced contemplative group and workshop facilitator and a dedicated teacher and student of contemplation and contemplative practices. He is a commissioned Contemplative Outreach presenter of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divine and Welcoming Prayer. Mike is coordinator for the Christian Contemplative Experience at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, Contemplative Outreach of Connecticut and the Northern Connecticut Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society. Mike is a practicing spiritual director and supervisor, as well as a BioSpiritual Focusing companion and instructor. 

Registration Information:

Price is $40 per person.

A Zoom link will be sent to your email February 11th at Noon (US Central Time) along with any workshop materials.

Workshop Timeframes (all times US Central Time - add one hour for Eastern Time):

• 9:30 AM - Welcome and Community Check-in
• 10:00 AM - Centering Prayer
• 10:35 AM - Conference 1 (BioSpiritual Focusing placement within Body Presence and Contemplative Awareness practices)
• 11:45 AM - Conference 2 (BioSpiritual Focusing Introduction)
• 12:55 AM - Conference 3 (BioSpiritual Focusing Method)
• 1:55 PM - Wrap-up

There will be breaks after Centering Prayer and after each conference.

Scholarships are available, contact registrar@centeringprayerchicago.org for more information.

Registration will close February 11th at Noon (US Central Time).

Questions?

Please email registrar@centeringprayerchicago.org for any questions.