Green Breath – Sensed Ecology Retreat in Spain May 2023
I have called this programme of Focusing in Nature: Green Breath. Focusing, resonance and nature. Green Breath – Sensed Ecology Programme consists of 4 retreats and personal initiations during 4 of the main Earth seasonal festivities.
The initiation and accompaniment in the process of *Sensed ecology* began in February 2023 during the time of Inbolc and continues until November 2023, during the time of Samhain where the process is completed.
*Green breath* is not a set of healing formulas or techniques learned and repeated over time. Each retreat is a unique experience for each person in relation to the plant, with the time of the earth season, all in connection with resonance for the land and the people.
Due to our close symbiotic relationship, we share common ground with the plants around us. Our lifegiving connection to green beings is inherent in our humanity.
The natural medicine of plants and the emerging communication with green beings is a powerful, soft and kind antidote for the condition of disconnection, isolation and loneliness to which we are subjected without wanting it and too often without being aware of it. Plants are initiators in learning to accompany us, and ecologically accompany life - to be in connection, in privacy, from a new place, present and in contact with the ecosystem which we are part of moment by moment.
In May we connected with Hawthorn in Sierra Espadan, South East Spain. Being with plants and in general with nature in the context of Focusing brings a subtle, gentle and delicate attunement in a person experience. It requires to slow down to the resonance of nature and find within us the space to welcome its vibrating communication and its longing for connection.
Our next retreat is in August and this time we will be welcoming Oak, a common native and ancient tree of Ireland and Spain. Part of the retreat is walking in pilgrimage and fasting with the medicine of the trees for 36 hours. This gives a real opportunity to connect with the plants without distractions and interference.
Hawthorn medicine is connected to the Heart, is the great compassionate ally in the plant world. Supporting us to regulate our heart rate and our whole nervous system and heal our circulatory system. It supports union, communication and authenticity in our path for connection with others and life just as it is.
Green Breath is a call to remember who we are as people, Focusing takes us by the hand and whispers... Remember....and the trees are there, just at the right moment of readiness to share their vibration of medicine with our receiving inner home or, inner musical chamber. Resonance does the rest.
We just have to enjoy the beauty of what is and what is possible.
By Marta Fabregat
New IFN Focusing Workshops
Introducing our brand new IFN Focusing workshops! As part of your Irish Focusing membership you now get to avail of the opportunity to register and attend our latest in a series of online Zoom workshops! This is a new initiative untaken by the Irish Focusing Network Committee to support our members and also support the network. There is a small fee of €10 that is divided between the host and the network. Our workshops plan to be on Tuesday evenings between 7.30 and 9pm but this may vary depending on the availablity of the hosts and other events which may conflict with the schedule. You will need to be a member to register for these workshops.
We began with a very successful workshop on Moving Forward with the Enneagram with Therese Ryan last month. We already have 2 very exciting workshops planned for Autumn and Winter. With Rene Veugelers and Harriet Teeuw giving an 'Introduction to Children's Focusing Workshop' in October and Denise Durocher and Reenie Beunting giving a workshop in December on 'Creative Spirit Focusing'. We are very excited for both of these and more details will follow shortly.
In the meantime, please read this review of our latest workshop from Marian Neary Burke, who we are very grateful to for taking the time to write this.
Enneagram - Moving Forward with the Enneagram Workshop
After her informative presentation at our in-person meeting, Therese agreed to do a follow up on Zoom. For €10 (some of which went back to the Network) we had a wonderful hour and a half of Focusing with the Enneagram. We worked on the wings and the arrows. The wings are the numbers either side of the number we recognise as our personality type and the arrows are the numbers to which we move for growth.
Therese herself agreed it is hard to decide how much information to impart in a work shop (as she likes to share as much as she can). Some would have liked more time to Focus, so Therese agreed the next time she would have less content and more time for Focusing.
Despite the time limit, it was an excellent workshop, very clearly explained. Therese cleverly selected words, to describe the personality of each number. (For example, responsible, trustworthy, energetic, empathetic etc) Having Focused with the words, we chose one that resonated with us (From our wing and arrow number). This was a very simple, useful way to show us what we need to do for our growth work. I love the Enneagram as every time I attend a workshop, I learn more about myself and my relationship with others.
Marian Neary Burke
Dreams Taster Workshop Review - Making Connections
Making Connections
We as the Irish Focusing Network were so delighted to see this workshop come together. A big part of our philosophy is helping people connect together and this workshop was a perfect example of how people who have a common interest can come together and create something valuable to them while also creating a wider space for people to enter and explore together. We are also delighted to see that they will be offering a workshop in person this September (See below) and a number of online Zoom session workshops. Little shoots everywhere, as they say mighty oaks grow from little acorns. We wish them an expansive and vast space to explore.
Rennie Buenting
On several occasions during IFN meetings Tom Larkin had asked if anyone would be interested in getting together to look at ‘working with dreams’.
So, a few months ago, Tom, Marian Burke, and myself got together and focused with some of our dreams. We loved it!
Marian has a big interest in dreams, and has tried out several ways of working with dreams.
Lately she had worked with Jeremy Taylor’s method. Tom has recently followed a dream course with Leslie Ellis. My own experience, apart from studying some of the dream theories through psychology, has been with dream focusing workshops, which I found very helpful.
We liked our dream sessions so much that we decided to organise a Dream Taster Workshop for everyone that was interested, and possibly a longer workshop at a later stage.
In the taster Marian Burke gave an overview of the historical background and Tom Larkin talked about Eugene Gendlin’s approach and his 16 questions.
We suggested to work with a few of these questions, and after a short demo, everyone had the chance to get into the break-out rooms to focus on a dream they had brought.
Following on from this we are working towards organising a weekend ‘in person’ workshop, as well as a number of zoom session workshops, so that whomever cannot make the ‘in person’ workshop, can come to a zoom series. So for those of you interested, you might like to start writing down your dreams.
The best way to remember a dream is to have a notebook ready beside your bed, so that you can write down your dream when you awake. Lying still in the position you wake up in, helps to recall as many details as possible. Then write these down. You don’t have remember all of the dream to be able to work with it.
Start practicing and watch this space for more information on the next Dream Workshop!
Marian Neary Burke
Expressing our interest in dreams (through the newsletter) brought Tom, Rennie and myself together, which resulted in the workshop.
Here is feedback from some of the participants.
“I had a little difficulty grasping all the information. I had a fragment of a dream, and when we went to Focus, I was a bit anxious about remembering all the instructions. However, I put all that aside and was amazed and surprised in my session. I had a profound experience by simply giving it attention. I had forgotten how dreams represent where we are in our lives. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to doing more”
Another. “A dream is alive and wants to be carried forward by our interaction” (Gendlin). This set the tone for the evening. I enjoyed the history of dreams and the presentation of “Dreamwork Movements,” with the guided questions. I had a profound experience in relation to one character in my dream, revealing more from a past life experience. I have downloaded Dr Lesley Ellis free book, from the resources shared at the workshop. The experience has continued to connect me more consciously, with my dreams in a deeper way.”
One more. “It was great to reconnect with my dreams. The research and background were very interesting. I am writing out my dreams now and staying with the felt sense.”
I would encourage anyone with a topic, to get together and offer a workshop.
Any Dream Will Do … A 2-Day workshop on Focusing with Dreams
Facilitated by: Rennie Buenting, Marian Burke & Tom Larkin
Where: The Dominican Retreat Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
There is plenty of parking space available there and the centre is easily reached by public transport from central Dublin. Website: www.retreats.dominicans.ie
When: Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th September 2023. Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm each day
Cost: €120:00 (includes lunches on both days, teas, coffees etc.)
Accommodation/B&B is available in the centre at €60 per night
Note: If are interested in this topic and you can’t make this workshop, we intend to offer a five-evening online version in early 2024.
Closing date for bookings: Friday 15th September (unless the places are filled before then)
For enquiries, deposits, booking etc contact:
- Rennie at 086 3898061 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Marian at 087 970 3640 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Tom at 087 2734475 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ards Friary May 2023 Reflection
The setting was Ards Friary in Donegal, Ireland. The natural beauty of this place established the environment where 15 strangers gathered to explore the process of BioSpiritual Focusing over 6 days.
The weather was beautiful and invited us to rest in the splendours of nature – surrounded by 200 acres of woodlands and set directly on the beach.
As we explored the foundations of the process, it became apparent that each participant was different in their experiences and understandings of Focusing and BioSpirituality. It was encouraging to see how each person began to take responsibility for their own process – living from where they were now, rather than where they wished they were.
As our bodies began to sense the safety of the group – we were gifted by the individual stories that each person courageously shared. It is miraculous to witness how our willingness to share our vulnerabilities creates the space for grace and transformation. As Fr Ed often said, “That which we protect from our own knowing, we also protect from God’s grace.”
The energy of the group shifted palpably on the 3rd day when we experienced a new exercise created by Louise and Joe Colletti called “Your Affection Timeline”. The impact on the group was that of recalling experientially the gifts of love and gentleness on their journey, and many commented that it was also an exercise in gratefulness. The direct impact of this exercise was how it facilitated the holding of “the affection teacher within” in a more fluid and natural manner.
As a facilitator, it is so exciting to witness the shift in energy that emerges organically when the community of those gathered comes to the fore and they begin to carry and support one another. The individuals become a community of love and healing. It is also interesting to see the physical transformation in the participants as they come home to themselves, to one another, and to the beauty of nature.
An aspect of this experience that also played a crucial part was the community and staff of Ards Friary. The Franciscan Capuchin community in Ards welcomed us into their home. Their hospitality and kindness, and the way that the group were treated by all the staff added to our sense of being at home. And of course it is important to mention how well we were fed – I was glad that there were so many beautiful walking trails to work off some of the wonderful food.
I am forever grateful for this life enhancing experience, and I carry each of the participants gently in my body, thankful for how they have gifted my living in their own unique ways. I needed to sit with an inner sense of loneliness as we went our own ways, but that has shifted into a sense of how privileged I am to share this gentle and life enhancing process.
by John Keane
