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)

*Anam Cara Registration Form*

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