The % figures in Workshop Descriptions indicate the relative percentage of presentation, discussion, and experiential activity.
Saturday Workshops
Three Hours (choose one and one alternative)
S1. Cosmic Desire: The Beauty of the Holy
In this workshop, we will explore the centrality of desire in the life of the human spirit and of the cosmos, using sources from Plato, to the Buddha, to the gospels, to insights drawn from the sciences of cosmology and psychoneuroimmunology. We will delve into the power of attraction, described by Brian Swimme as one of the basic operating principles of the cosmos. We will consider the corrupting effects upon desire of consumerism; and ask how we may reclaim desire as pure spiritual energy, to be fanned into flame recognizing the beauty of the holy in our deepest desires. 33%, 33%, 33%.
Dr. Anne Benvenuti, professor of philosophy, religious studies, and psychology, and a clinical psychologist, has done post-doctoral work in psychoneuroimmunology. She most recently presented on science, religion and public policy at
S2. Letting God Guide: A Contemplative Approach to Spiritual Guidance
Together we will explore the spiritual terrain of the "inner cosmos" and our willingness to allow God to guide us. We will look to aspects of the new cosmology as well as to the lives of three God-centered spiritual teachers (Julian of Norwich, John of the Cross, and John Woolman) for examples of attitudes that can free us to be available to the Spirit's Guidance in the present moment. Through prayer, experiential activity and plenary conversation we will learn from one another the diverse ways in which God works through our personalities to attend to the Spirit in holy conversation. 30%, 20%, 50%.
Martha Campbell is the Director of the Spiritual Guidance Program at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in
S3. Awaken Your Senses: Creating Sacred Circles and Gardens
This experiential workshop consists of meditation, art making and a sharing circle. You will create a mandala, a symbol of the human experience found in all cultures. Using your sacred, intuitive way of knowing, the mandala and the theme of gardens will connect you with your greatest gift: imagination! Through this process you will become aware of the unique patterns of your own Spirit and your process of spiritual growth. Mandala's have a centering effect, creating wholeness and calmness in the individual. This sacred circle is healing to self, others and your connection to the earth. 25%, 50%, 25%.
John Griffith, United Church of Canada clergy, is director of Spiritual Directions in
S4. Points along the Way: The Astronomical Year as Template for Spiritual Guidance
"Navigating the spiritual journey" is a worthy metaphor for the work of spiritual direction. Given that navigation is linked to the heavens, the observation of our experience of the cosmos can enlarge our sense of vocation and inform the work of providing guidance. The first half of this workshop will examine the course of the astronomical year from an objective standpoint. We will construct a model of the earth's orbit around the sun and note particular aspects of the relationship between sun, earth and the background of stars. In the second half, we will move to a subjective consideration of the course of the year, plotting into a schematic drawing the position of the sun from the perspective of the earth. Using the result, participants will examine their lived experience for images associated with significant points along the way and discern applications of the model to their role as directors. 40%, 40%, 30%.
Rev. Dr. Murray Groom is a spiritual director and lifelong amateur astronomer. He holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematics with an emphasis in number theory and systems analysis. In this workshop, he continues his efforts to integrate the "music of the spheres" with "the rhythm of the saints."
S5. SH'MA! The Soul of Listening
This workshop will explore how we may become more open to the transformative power of listening to ourselves, our directees, and to God. We will use the wisdom of Jewish mysticism to help us experience the multi-faceted nature of listening, and to learn how to draw deeply from the well of this life-giving, life-changing practice. We will focus on learning more about our inner landscape so that we can traverse this territory using all of our experiences as "Sh'mas!"--calls to wake up to the holy gift of listening soul-to-soul. 33%, 33%, 33%.
Sandy Jardine, MS, LPC, is an interfaith spiritual director, licensed professional counselor in private practice, who directs the Connecting to God program in group spiritual direction at
S6. Animals in our Midst: Companions for the Journey
As companions, guides, sustenance, and a source of beauty, animals are an integral part of our human existence. Together, we share an ancient and mysterious bond.
Here, we will learn how animals and animal imagery can be touchstones to establish and strengthen relationship to all beings, the Sacred and our innermost selves. We will explore the human-animal bond, grief related to pet loss, and methods to incorporate animal wisdom as a tool in spiritual direction. Wisdom from a variety of spiritual traditions will be used. Participants are encouraged to bring a personally significant animal related object or picture. 33%, 33%, 33%.
Carrie La Jeunesse, DVM, CGC, is a spiritual director, Certified Grief Counselor, ER/Critical Care veterinarian, consultant, wife, mother, and an inveterately hooked pet "mom."
S7. Creation Awaits Your Homecoming
How is spiritual direction a journey into the heart of our Creator God? How does one who greets the rising of the sun each day find a home-coming experience at sunset? Each of us seeks a path through the rhythm of our lives, through the yin and yang, through light and darkness, through our humanity and divinity to arrive in harmony with ourselves, with our Creator God and with all of creation. This workshop explores the experience of being at "one" with the "other." As creatures, we continually birth into the dance of life, into the cosmic canvas where silence awaits to embrace us again into its womb of love. 25%, 15%, 60%.
Elizabeth Lim, RGS, MA, is regional coordinator in
S8. Supervision: Contemplating Reality in a Multicultural, Multifaith Context
Contextual realities for supervisors today include the challenge of cultural dynamics within the spiritual direction session. Sensitivity is called forth on the part of the supervisor. Participants are asked to bring reflected spiritual direction experiences and to participate in group dynamics including role demonstrations, real plays, and supervision. Participation in groups includes reflective observation. This workshop hopes to challenge and support a "contemplation of reality" to deepen the awareness of The Mystery of God at work in the ministry of spiritual direction and supervision. 30%, 50%, 20%.
Dr. Kathleen McAlpin, RSM, and Maureen McDonnell, DMin, are engaged in adult faith formation, spiritual direction, and currently work with ministry programs and the Spiritual Direction and Supervision program at
S9. Writing the Sacred: Psalm-Writing and Sacred Poetry for Embracing the Cosmos
Honoring the wisdom of the circle as a way to gather, this workshop will invite both writers, and those who have never put pen to paper, to articulate their soulfulness through the aliveness of language. Particular emphasis will be given to the Hebrew Psalms as a type of sacred poetry; and to some of the poetic forms found there that are present in other sacred poetry from the East and West. We will explore our thanksgivings, laments and vision for renewed relationship with the Holy as we seek to come home to the cosmos. Step-by-step practical guidance will be given with time provided for everyone to compose a new creation-themed sacred poem. 35%, 30%, 35%.
Ray McGinnis has taught over 5000 people the power of writing as an aid to spiritual growth and healing, is author of Writing the Sacred, and lives in
S10. Money, Work, and Identity
Life crises are often occasions for an awakened interest in exploring the spiritual as we cope with life changes and re-evaluate meanings. This workshop will provide an opportunity for reflective work on the meanings of money and work as we find them in our culture and clients. A select reading list in Financial Counseling and Career Counseling areas will be provided to interested participants at the end of the session. 40%, 40%, 20%.
David William McKay, MTS. His work as a credit counselor has opened an understanding of how financial crises are rooted in spiritual values and practices.
S11. The Promise of Interfaith Spiritual Direction
In this workshop, Rabbi Ted, Rev Don and Jamal will each present some crucial teachings from Judaism, Christianity and Islam that relate to living with an expanding spiritual awareness, helping individuals learn to better assist those seeking to walk their spirituality into the world with compassion and love. They will focus on how metaphors of Creation from each of their traditions can support personal spiritual awakening. 33%, 33%, 33%.
Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, guides Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue, in
S12. The As If Relationship: Transference and Counter-Transference in Spiritual Direction
(recommended for experienced spiritual directors)
This workshop will deepen directors' understandings of Transference and Counter-transference in the spiritual direction relationship. Particular emphasis will be on expectations of directees related to the director's spiritual qualities and presence. It will probe director's comfort and discomfort related to these projections, and possible counter-transferential reactions and their consequences. Special attention will be given to the new understandings of the "use of the self" in pastoral relationships in general and spiritual direction in particular. The need for competent supervision and personal work for spiritual directors will be explored in order to benefit directees in this sacred relationship. Spiritual directors are encouraged to bring examples or case material with them. This workshop is for experienced spiritual directors. 40%, 30%, 30%.Dr. Janet Ruffing, RSM, is professor in spirituality and spiritual direction at
S13. Cosmic Story--Spirit Path: Deepening the Practice of Story in Spiritual Accompaniment
We are story beings, naturally attracted to the storyteller, intuitively making our lives in a narrative that is written into the great storybook of the cosmos. Our stories do not live in isolation, but connect into a vast sacred web of story that includes the great archetypal stories of the human journey, a few of which are recorded in texts like the Bible. Seeing ourselves as practitioners of story can transform our relationship with the story people who come to us for accompaniment and direction on their spirit path. We will be a story circle, telling pieces of our experience and story as a way of more deeply appreciating how story can deepen our living and our accompaniment. 25%, 25%, 50%.
Tim Scorer is an educator, writer, spiritual director and retreat guide, thinks in story, finding ways to illuminate the journeys of individuals and groups through the light of metaphor and narrative.
S14. Expanding Circles of Compassion: Coming Home to the Cosmos
This workshop focuses primarily on experiential embodiment of the wisdom we all hold, as accessed through our theme, "Coming Home to the Cosmos." Through language, reflection, and silence we will open to a place within us that knows more than we are aware that we know. You will discover the sacred space of "
Sally Taylor is a 15 year practitioner within the Tibetan Buddhist Gelugpa Tradition. She hosts "Hermitage Cottage" in Co. Down,