Contemplative Living

Contemplation is a profound journey inward, inviting us to pause amidst the busyness of life and connect with the deeper currents of our existence. It is an invitation to explore the sacred dimensions of our being through stillness, reflection, and mindful awareness. In a world often dominated by distraction and noise, contemplative living offers a sanctuary—a space where we can cultivate a rich inner life and awaken to the divine presence that permeates all things. By embracing practices such as meditation, centering prayer, and mindful presence, we can transform our everyday experiences into opportunities for spiritual growth and connection. Contemplative living is not just a practice; it is a way of being that encourages us to engage with life more fully, fostering a sense of peace, purpose, and profound understanding in our hearts and minds.

Key Aspects:

• Embracing silence and solitude
• Experiencing the divine in everyday moments
• Developing a heart-centered approach to life
• Recognizing the sacred in all experiences
• The Providence of God: God’s loving presence, active in and through us

At Genesis Spiritual Life Center, the Contemplative Living programs offer a transformative opportunity to deepen your connection with God through intentional practices and supportive community. These programs invite participants to engage with a range of spiritual disciplines specifically crafted to nurture a vibrant inner life and deepen personal awareness. Whether through contemplative prayer practices, engaging workshops, private retreats, or immersion experiences, Genesis provides a nurturing environment where you can experience the profound love of God and discover the transformative power of contemplative living. 

Some Topics Related to Contemplative Living include:

Join us and embrace the opportunity to reconnect with your spiritual essence and enrich your relationship with the divine.

Upcoming Contemplative Living programs

Yoga Foundations: A Gentle Practice for Body, Breath & Being

With Angelica Lopez

Open Dates

Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

This gentle class invites you to explore mindful movement, breathwork, and simple meditation, all grounded in the heart of yoga philosophy. Each week stands on its own, offering accessible movement (with options for both chair and mat), breathing practices, and reflections on the deeper purpose and roots of yoga. Come…

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BioSpiritual Focusing 10 Week Book Study and Practicum

With Mike Smoolca and Peri Boyle

February 18 - April 22, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Envision a space where science and spiritual insight meet, transforming your body into a channel for sacred knowledge.  Join us for a transformative journey of self-discovery with our BioSpiritual Focusing 10-week book study and practicum. Delve into the profound insights of Fr. Peter A. Campbell and Fr. Edwin M. McMahon's…

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Lenten Conversations: A Prayerful Evening with the Psalms – Virtual Program

With Jo Ann Bourquard

February 24, 2026

VIRTUAL PROGRAM

Rediscovering the Psalms for reflection during Lent 2026 offers a powerful, meditative, and communal path to deepening our spiritual life. These ancient poems, born from times of trouble, serve as a relevant, timeless guide to the Holy, offering comfort, inspiration, and a focus on divine hope.  Let us gather for an experience of conversation,…

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Lenten Conversations: A Season of Paradox – Observing Lent through the Lens of Nature – Virtual Program

With Colleen Mollica

March 10, 2026

VIRTUAL PROGRAM

In this tender season between winter’s rest and spring’s renewal, Lent invites us to dwell in the mystery of waiting—trusting that new life will emerge. In early March, traces of winter still linger, yet signs of spring are also beginning to appear. It is an ambivalent time. Themes of life…

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The Divine Feminine: Experiencing Healing and Liberation by Reclaiming Images of the Divine

With Shannon K. Evans

March 13 - 15, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Are you curious about what people mean when they speak of “the divine feminine,” and wonder if you have permission to speak that yourself? This integral perspective of the Christian tradition is often overlooked for more masculine images of God. However, all aspects of God are part of our tradition.…

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Lenten Conversations: Creativity as Spiritual Renewal – Virtual Program

With Deb Ondo

March 24, 2026

VIRTUAL PROGRAM

Much of daily life pulls us toward constant output, gradually dulling our capacity to notice what is alive around and within us. Lent invites a pause. In this one-hour online gathering, we will explore creativity as a form of relationship rather than as individual achievement. Through reflection, silence, and simple…

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Heartwork for Daily Life: An Invitation to Journey with Christian Mystics

With Mark Burrows

March 27 - 29, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

There is a river running through the heart of Christianity, deep and ancient—yet many have never tasted its waters. The tradition of Christian mysticism is an ancient and varied source of inspiration and provocation. Yet it has not always received the recognition it deserves. Those we call “mystics” were often at…

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Silent Directed Retreat – 4 Day – Holy Week

With Jo Ann Bourquard

March 29 - April 2, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Enter into the sacred rhythm of Holy Week through a transformative four-day silent-directed retreat. This retreat invites you to accompany Christ through the days leading to Easter in a spirit of deep listening, prayer, and renewal. Each day, participants meet privately with an experienced spiritual director who serves as a…

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Silent Directed Retreat – 4 Day – Holy Week

With Fr. Michael Broderick

March 29 - April 2, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Enter into the sacred rhythm of Holy Week through a transformative four-day silent-directed retreat. This retreat invites you to accompany Christ through the days leading to Easter in a spirit of deep listening, prayer, and renewal. Each day, participants meet privately with an experienced spiritual director who serves as a…

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By His Cross and Resurrection: A Triduum Retreat

With Fr. Michael Broderick and Joseph Krans, OFS

April 2 - 5, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Imagine stepping away from the noise and chaos of everyday life into a profound spiritual sanctuary. You are invited to walk alongside Jesus during His most intimate and pivotal moments, to witness His passion, share in His suffering, and ultimately celebrate the hope of resurrection. Experience these holy days not…

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Exploring Presence: Tending the Presence We Offer – And the Presence We Are

With Lucy Abbott Tucker

April 24 - 26, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Presence is a sacred art, one that shapes not only how we accompany others, but how we awaken to ourselves. As spiritual directors and companions, we offer our presence to our directees and strive to provide a safe space for their true essence to emerge and flourish. In that striving,…

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Silent Directed Retreat – 8 Day – Nurturing Your Spirit

With Lisa Hudkins

April 26 - May 3, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as…

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Silent Directed Retreat – 8 Day – Nurturing Your Spirit

With Lucy Abbott Tucker

April 26 - May 3, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as…

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Nature Immersion Experience: The Forest as Companion – Relationships, Reciprocity, and Justice in the Outdoors

With Jeanette Banashak and Simon de Voil

April 28 - May 3, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step into the forest as if entering a sacred conversation—one that listens as much as it speaks. Enter a sacred space of silence and wonder, where the forest becomes a mirror of your inner life and a source of renewal. This week-long Nature Immersion Experience retreat invites you into a…

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Present to Presence: A Centering Prayer Retreat

With Anne Simpkinson

May 22 - 24, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

God is always in and with us—closer to us than our own breath—but we are not always with God. Our harried, over-scheduled, noisy lives and patterns laid down in childhood prevent us from simply being with God. Centering Prayer is a way to re-member disparate parts of ourselves, gather scattered…

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Thresholds of Hope: A Spiritual Practice Retreat

With Cami Twilling

May 29 - 31, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step across the threshold into a weekend of renewal, where prayer, movement, and the ancient wisdom of Celtic spirituality awaken hope and courage for uncertain times. Here, amidst sacred listening, discover the strength Earth and Spirit offer—inviting you to live and act with deeper compassion. Join us for an experiential…

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Silent Directed Retreat – 6 Day – Nurturing Your Spirit

With Nicki Verploegen, Ph.D.

June 16 - 22, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as…

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Silent Directed Retreat – 6 Day – Nurturing Your Spirit

With Nancy Sheridan, SASV

June 16 - 22, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as…

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BioSpiritual Focusing Silent Directed Retreat – 4 Day

With Mike Smoolca

June 17 - 22, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

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. During a…

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Stories of Forgiveness: Letting Go, Living Light

With Eileen Epperson

July 11, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Each of us carries a story about forgiveness—times we’ve given it, withheld it, or longed to receive it. Sometimes, letting go of hurt feels impossible until we hear how someone else found their way through. Join us for a day of reflection, connection, and renewal in a warm, confidential setting…

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Tending Soul Through Dreams

With Liz Walz, MA

July 17 - 19, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Dreams whisper divine secrets, beckoning us to listen—will you heed their call? Without a vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 In Biblical scripture, for people to receive dreams and visions is common. In fact, the absence of dreams or visions is sorely noted. Life in modernity tells a different story;…

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Silent Directed Retreat – 6 Day – Nurturing Your Spirit

With Nicki Verploegen, Ph.D.

July 28 - August 3, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as…

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Silent Directed Retreat – 6 Day – Nurturing Your Spirit

With Nancy Sheridan, SASV

July 28 - August 3, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth during our immersive silent-directed retreat, where you will have the opportunity to explore the guiding presence of the Spirit in a deeply enriching environment. During a silent-directed retreat, each participant meets daily with an experienced spiritual director who serves as…

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Guided BioSpiritual Focusing Weeklong Retreat

With Donna O'Connor, Mike Smoolca and Dawn Turgeon

August 13 - 18, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Unlock the hidden wisdom of your body and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery with BioSpiritual Focusing. This silent guided retreat offers a unique opportunity to delve deep into your inner world, connecting with the sacred story woven into the very fabric of your being. Through a powerful blend…

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Escape to a Summer Sanctuary- A Weekend Silent Directed Retreat

With Mary C. MacGillivray, CSJA

August 21 - 23, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

As summer begins to slip by, are you longing for some rest, solitude and connection to the Holy? Allow yourself time for a sacred pause. Come to savor the prayerful surroundings, silence, and spiritual companionship for a weekend. Arrive on Friday afternoon at 3:00, enjoy dinner and conversation at 6:00,…

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Escape to a Summer Sanctuary- A Weekend Silent Directed Retreat

With Jo Ann Bourquard

August 21 - 23, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

As summer begins to slip by, are you longing for some rest, solitude and connection to the Holy? Allow yourself time for a sacred pause. Come to savor the prayerful surroundings, silence, and spiritual companionship for a weekend. Arrive on Friday afternoon at 3:00, enjoy dinner and conversation at 6:00,…

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Speaking with Grace: Turning Difficult Conversations into Connection

With Eileen Epperson

August 22, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Have you ever replayed a painful interaction in your mind, wishing you’d found the right words? Do you tiptoe around certain people to avoid conflict—or silently swallow your true feelings? In this inspiring, day-long experience, you’ll discover new possibilities for communicating that you may never have thought possible. You’ll learn…

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The Jonah Silent Retreat

With Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner

September 17 - 20, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Immerse yourself in the ancient practice of sacred silence with a creative, new twist.  Inspired by the story of Jonah, we will explore creative, prayerful and playful ways to nurture a life of faith that is both deeply contemplative and socially active. Every morning, we will gather in community for…

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Becoming a BioSpiritual Companion

With Mike Smoolca and Nancy Benben

September 22, 2026 - March 16, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Brought to you by Genesis Spiritual Life Center & The Spiritual Life Center Experienced BioSpiritual Focusing practitioners and teachers, Mike Smoolca and Nancy Benben will lead a comprehensive 5-session program focused on developing BioSpiritual Focusing Companions. This is aimed at all those wishing to learn the dynamics of effective and…

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Sacred Story, Modern Myth: Praying with Pop Culture

With Eric Clayton

September 25 - 27, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Discover a faith alive in every story—where God speaks not just in quiet prayers, but through the media that move us. This program invites participants to experience God’s presence not only in their personal journeys but also in the stories that animate our culture—movies, songs, books, and comics—echoing Ignatius’ invitation…

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Presence, Prayer, and Writing from the Heart: A Contemplative Writing Retreat

With Anne A. Simpkinson

October 2 - 4, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

We are never closer to our Creator than when we are creating. In writing, we engage in God’s infinite creative impulse to birth the new, the unexpected. Silence and stillness can assist that process by opening a portal to inner depths where we connect to ourselves, to others, to God,…

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BioSpiritual Focusing: Day of Presence

With Donna O'Connor and Dawn Turgeon

October 3, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

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. “When you seek me, you…

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Restoring Sacred Conversation with Earth

With Victoria Loorz

October 9 - 11, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

The wisdom and guidance we need for this time of tragic ecological and political collapse will not be found in the dominant ways of thinking. Over fifty years ago, Thomas Berry urged us to turn and face these challenges by pointing to the root cause of the problem, "We are talking only to…

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BioSpiritual Focusing Silent Directed Retreat – 4 Day

With Donna O'Connor

November 3 - 8, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

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. During a…

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Sacred Shift: How Faith is Evolving in the 21st Century – A Virtual Retreat

With Diarmuid O'Murchu, MSC

November 6 - 8, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Is religion truly dying—or is it being reborn in new and unexpected ways? While popular culture often insists that faith is in decline, we are also witnessing a widespread search for new forms of spiritual connection—practices that honor our inner wellbeing, nurture community, and recognize the sacredness of the natural…

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Finding Wholeness in the Midst of Everything with Julian of Norwich

With Mark Burrows

November 20 - 22, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

We all long to be gladdened by what Julian of Norwich imagined as the inner music of love in our lives. She knew that the melodies that shape us—some in the major key, some in a jarring, discordant minor—are part of a larger symphony, if we learn to listen deeply…

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A Simply Centered Advent: Mandalas, Candles and Prayer – Virtual Retreat

With Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner

November 30 - December 21, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Begin your Advent journey this year with creative prayer, calming candlelight, and contemplative coloring. The beauty of Advent can easily become lost amidst the busy-ness of the season. If we are not careful and intentional, the sacred invitation to “wait with bated breath” quickly becomes the cultural compulsion to “shop…

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Access Your Inner Room with Centering Prayer

With Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI

December 10 - 13, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Discover the transformative power of centering prayer as you learn to access your sacred inner sanctuary. Join us to explore the practice of entering your "inner room," unlocking a deeper connection with the divine and finding profound peace within yourself. Accessing our inner room and exploring its transformative effects is…

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Mindful Transitions: A Contemplative Year End Retreat

With Joseph Krans, OFS

December 30, 2026 - January 1, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

As we prepare to welcome a new year, we invite you to participate in a transformative program that honors the journey of 2026 while igniting hope for what lies ahead. Take a moment to pause, reflect on the experiences that have shaped you over the past twelve months, and look…

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