Circles of Spiritual Formation

a)  Anam Cara

Year One of Soul Care Spiritual Formation

Combining monthly gatherings (12 person maximum per circle), Spiritual Direction, audio meditations and weekly reflections, individuals are invited on a journey of ‘in and down’.

The Anam Cara (soul friend in Gaelic) journey is one where a friendship begins with one’s own soul.

So many of us are disconnected from our true essence, the true self within.

It is a slow journey to take off one’s masks and begin to uncover the inner voice that is always there.

Through practices of breath meditation, silence, rest and listening, individuals are invited to return ‘home’.  Home to their true essence and begin to live from a place of greater inner integrity and freedom.

Subjects Explored:

  • Contemplation
  • Silence
  • Listening
  • Centering Prayer
  • Prayer of Examen
  • The journey in and down
  • Psalm 23
  • Stories as pathways for transformation
  • Essence
  • Enneagram Introduction

Next group begins in August 2023. Registration opens in early Spring 2023.

Books in the Curriculum (some of these vary given the different circles)

  • When the Heart Waits, Sue Monk Kidd
  • Falling Upwards, Richard Rohr
  • Psalms for Praying, Nan Merrill
  • Reaching Out, Henri JM Nouwen
  • Anam Cara, John O’Donohue
  • Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer
  • Enneagram, Riso & Hudson
  • He, Robert A Johnson (depending on the circle)
  • Women Who Run With Wolves, C.P. Estes (depending on the circle)
The Anam Cara journey has been like drinking from a refreshing and deep well. As a Spiritual Director, Pastor and a person with many caregiving roles, my Soul Care Circle has been the place where I can receive, rest and replenish. The community experienced in circle along with Cathy’s writing, meditations, music and mentorship have held, healed, and energized me to live with greater freedom into the Love that is within and all around.
Beth Woelk

My experience with Anam Cara has been a blessed, beautiful and inspiring time with people of my tribe. To sit, reflect and share with these humans has fed my body, mind and soul. The monthly readings have given me the structure I need to frame my inner work. It is Spiritual Direction for the soul for Spiritual Directors. Cathy provides embodied learning and expression. I highly recommend it.
Rev. Janice Lowell

Anam Cara is a life-changing experience. It’s like a feast for my hungry soul. The table is set with abundant opportunity to learn who I am and who Divine Love is calling me to be. I was weary and thirsting in my spirit and now I feel waves of renewal coming into my life. I am deeply grateful for all that Anam Cara has to offer.

A refreshed Reverend in British Columbia

I am so thankful that I made the choice to join Anam Cara. To be with a group of women and have a depth of connection that is like no other; it was something I had been looking years for. I have learned so much about who I am and my relationship with LOVE being a part of this group. The depth of connection with LOVE, the depth of connection with myself and the depth of connection with my soul sisters has truly been a gift. This is a YES I have never regretted, and to go further, there are very few things that can get in the way of this group for me; it is that important. Truly life changing.
Corrina Arnold

MA MC RCC, Registered Clinical Counsellor

b)  Cloister

Year Two of Soul Care Spiritual Formation

Combining monthly gatherings (12 person maximum per circle), Spiritual Direction, audio meditations and weekly reflections, individuals are invited to deepen the journey that began with Anam Cara.

Deepening spiritual practices, developing awareness of shadow-work and dreamwork, participants continue the slow walk of aligning with their essence and learning to live from a place of greater integrity and freedom.

Subjects Explored:

  • Contemplation
  • Healing of Feminine & Masculine Energies
  • Shadow-work
  • Centering Prayer
  • Fidelity to Soul
  • Union with Love
  • Life of love and service
  • Stories as pathways for transformation
  • Essence
  • Enneagram
  • Vocation
  • Living from the gaze of Love

Books in the Curriculum (some of these vary given the different circles)

  • Here All Dwell Free, Gertrud Mueller Nelson
  • Cloister Walk, Kathleen Norris
  • Dark Night of the Soul, Gerald May
  • Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis
  • Invisible Partners, John A Sanford
  • Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron
  • Christian Mystics, Ursula King
  • One Drum, Richard Wagamese

c)  Red Cedar

Year Three of Soul Care Spiritual Formation

Combining monthly gatherings (12 person maximum per circle), Spiritual Direction, audio meditations and weekly reflections, individuals are invited to deepen the journey that began with Anam Cara and Cloister.

Subjects Explored:

  • Forgiveness
  • In the Womb of God
  • Healing of Feminine and Masculine Energies
  • Contraction and Expansion
  • Archetypes
  • Equanimity
  • Fidelity
  • Integration
  • Dreamwork

Books in the Curriculum (some of these vary given the different circles)

  • Embers, Richard Wagamese
  • Listening for the Heartbeat of God, J Philip Newell
  • Amazing Grace, Kathleen Norris
  • Dance of Intimacy, Harriet Lerner
  • Dance of Anger, Harriet Lerner
  • The Wizard of Us, Jean Houston
  • Wisdom Jesus, Cynthi Bourgeault
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