Focusing is usually a very quiet and personal affair. Even when partnered with another, increasingly our ‘bodies’ are not in the same room, as most partnerships occur via Zoom.
Our bi-annual in-person gatherings, therefore, are a real treat - a chance to meet face-to-face, reconnect, catch up on all things Focusing (and life); laugh together, lunch together, and partner in person. It was lovely to see some new faces there.
This September, we were gifted two excellent workshops, hosted respectively by John Keane and Mary Jennings, each offering rich group discussion, partnering, and individual work.
John Keane’s workshop, “Process Skipping,” was full of insight into how we often ‘skip’ over what most needs our attention. We do this every day, usually without noticing it: scrolling, making more tea, peeking in the fridge (food is my big distraction!) - all ways of avoiding an unwanted feeling inside ourselves. It’s an easy habit, especially in a culture that favours us always feeling ‘something better.’
I loved how John reminded us that we don’t need to drop these habits overnight or dive into a long inner process each time. Simply pausing to check inside before reaching for the familiar distraction can, over time, be quietly transformational. John shared a phrase from Fr. Ed McMahon (co-founder of BioSpiritual Focusing): “What in my body right now most needs my caring, loving presence?” A beautiful practice to carry into daily life.
Our second workshop, led by Mary, offered an inspiring introduction to the Olive Tree project - an initiative supporting community leaders working with Arabic-speaking refugees in Iceland to rediscover some inner safety. The programme grew from earlier work with community leaders in Palestine.
Blending Focusing with psychological first aid, mindfulness, and insights from neuroscience, the project offers a powerful, adaptable framework for anyone supporting people healing from trauma. We tried several of the exercises ourselves and felt their impact. (If you’d like to read more about the Olive Tree project and its origins, you can do so by clicking here)
As ever, meeting in person strengthened both our practice and our connections. We look forward to carrying what we learned into our everyday lives - and to gathering again in the spring. If you haven’t yet been, we would love to welcome you.
by Fiona O'Meara
Irish Focusing Network Members
John Keane
Mary Jennings
