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…

see more...

Sacred Soul: An Online Evening Retreat

With Cami Twilling

November 13, 2025

What if rediscovering your own sacredness could transform not only your life, but also the way you see the entire living Earth? Join Cami Twilling, Director of Earth & Soul, for a virtual evening retreat as we draw from the wisdom of John Philip Newell’s writings on Pelagius from Sacred…

see more...

Journey to Wholeness: Forgiveness as a Spiritual Practice

With Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI

November 20 - 23, 2025

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Discover the profound freedom and healing that forgiveness offers as you set out on a sacred journey to renew your spirit, deepen your faith, and transform your life. Forgiveness as a Spiritual Practice invites participants to explore the transformative power of forgiveness within their spiritual journey. Through reflection, silence, and…

see more...

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

With Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner

December 1 - 22, 2025

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…

see more...

Present to Presence: A Centering Prayer Retreat

With Anne Simpkinson

December 12 - 14, 2025

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Are you yearning for a profound spiritual experience that transcends the noise and chaos of everyday life? Discover a transformative journey into the depths of silence and divine connection, where you'll learn to open yourself to God's presence through the contemplative practice of Centering Prayer. A practice that promises healing,…

see more...

Mindful Transitions: A Contemplative Year End Retreat

With Joseph Krans, OFS

December 30, 2025 - January 2, 2026

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 2025 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…

see more...

Contemplative Living Immersion Experience (2026)

With Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI, Mark Burrows, Anne Simpkinson and Joseph Krans, OFS

January 1 - December 31, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

“God is nearer to us than our own soul, for God is the ground in which our soul stands.” * The Contemplative Living Immersion Experience is a year-long invitation to deepen into the stillness and spaciousness of God’s presence. Through silence, prayer, and sacred attentiveness, participants are gently guided into…

see more...

Embrace Newness: New Grace, New Life, New Promise

With Nancy Sheridan, SASV and Nicki Verploegen, Ph.D.

January 2 - 4, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Like fresh-fallen snow, the new year invites us to wrap ourselves in newness. Through reflection, ritual, Eucharist, and spiritual companioning, we will pause to recognize grace, life, and promise as 2026 unfolds. Together, let us welcome these gifts with open hearts. In the gentle rhythm of these sacred days, you…

see more...

BioSpiritual Focusing: Day of Presence

With Donna O'Connor

January 10, 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…

see more...

Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love – Virtual Study Group

With Joseph Krans, OFS

January 15 - February 12, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Imagine a world where everyone feels deeply known, unconditionally accepted, and powerfully connected—where love becomes the lens through which we see each other, healing divides and transforming lives. Cherished Belonging by Gregory Boyle invites us on such a compassionate journey, guiding us to rediscover our shared humanity in times of division…

see more...

Closing Circles, Opening Horizons: A Reflective Journey from 2025 to 2026

With Eileen Epperson

January 16 - 18, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

As we stand on the threshold of 2026, we have an opportunity to pause and reflect on our experience of 2025. You are warmly invited to join a group of people like you who are also committed to living in the driver’s seat of their life. What were the lessons…

see more...

A Virtual Silent Directed Retreat – Nurturing Your Spirit (5-Day or 3-Day Options)

With Jo Ann Bourquard

January 19 - 23, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

Sometimes the most profound journeys happen not by going somewhere new, but by becoming still enough to listen within. Begin the new year with a sacred opportunity to step away from the noise of daily life and spend time in silence, prayer, and reflection. Whether you choose the 3-day or…

see more...

Enneagram for the Inward Journey

With Nancy Benben

January 23 - 25, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

“The purpose of the Enneagram is not self-improvement, which would be our ego’s goal. Rather, it is the transformation of consciousness so that we can realize our essence, our True Self…The primary goal of any spiritual tool is union with God/Truth, and then we get united with ourselves in the…

see more...

Upgrading the Heart: Living Beyond the Egoic Operating System

With Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI

January 30 - February 1, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Within each of us lie two distinct “operating systems” that shape how we move through the world. Cynthia Bourgeault describes these as the Egoic Operating System—rooted in self-preservation, fear, and separation—and the Operating System of the Heart, which perceives life through connection, compassion, and wholeness. Join Fr. Bill Sheehan for…

see more...

GENESIS: Sacred Story of Birth and Rebirth – A Virtual Retreat

With Diarmuid O'Murchu, MSC

February 6 - 8, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

What if life’s deepest mysteries are always inviting us to be born anew? This retreat invites participants to enter a sacred space of reflection and renewal with Fr. Diarmuid O’Murchu, international author and spiritual guide, who has graced Genesis with his wisdom since the early 1990s. Across the weekend, we…

see more...

BioSpiritual Focusing 10 Week Book Study and Practicum Copy

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…

see more...

The Wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi

With Simon de Voil and David Wallace

February 20 - 22, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step into a world where radical simplicity and profound joy illuminate the path—what happens when ancient wisdom meets modern longing for meaning? Join Simon de Voil and David Wallace for a transformative 5-part journey into the spiritual depth and beauty of the Franciscan tradition. Through conversation, reflection, and song, we’ll…

see more...

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.…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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,…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

Present to Presence: A Centering Prayer Retreat

With Anne Simpkinson

May 22 - 24, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Are you yearning for a profound spiritual experience that transcends the noise and chaos of everyday life? Discover a transformative journey into the depths of silence and divine connection, where you'll learn to open yourself to God's presence through the contemplative practice of Centering Prayer. A practice that promises healing,…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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;…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

Becoming a BioSpiritual Companion

With Mike Smoolca and Nancy Benben

September 22, 2026 - February 23, 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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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

The heart's deepest truths often emerge when pen meets presence and prayer. What if your writing became a sacred conversation—one where surprise and transformation await just beyond certainty? Step boldly into the unknown, and let your words become a living dialogue with life’s mystery, dedicated to discovery and wonder. “……

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

Access Your Inner Room with Centering Prayer

With Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI

October 29 - November 1, 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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...

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…

see more...