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 23^rd & Sunday 24^th 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 15^th 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.