Illuman SoCal is collaborating with our brother Jim Heaney by co-sponsoring this special program. Open the link below to view a video presentation of the program:
Choosing Presence is a guided spiritual formation experience in learning how to live in the only place where God can be encountered — the present moment. Rather than managing stress, rehearsing the past, or projecting fears into the future, presence invites us to become receptive to the movement of the Holy Spirit here and now.
Richard Rohr often says that “God is only ever found in the present moment,” a truth consistent with contemplative and sacramental tradition. The Holy Spirit does not reside in our imagination of what might happen, nor in the replays of what has already happened. The Spirit meets us in reality as it actually is. Presence becomes the doorway through which peace, clarity, and transformation can be received. This course accompanies the men through that doorway with teaching, stillness, reflection, spiritual practice, and community.
There are eight modules, which will all take place on Zoom:
1. April 18, 2026 — Module 1: The Unconscious Self
2. April 25, 2026 — Module 2: Meeting God in the Moment
3. May 2, 2026 — Module 3: Stillness
4. May 9, 2026 — Module 4: Accessing Presence
5. May 16, 2026 — Module 5: Inner Conditioning
6. May 23, 2026 — Module 6: Resistance
7. May 30, 2026 — Module 7: The Courage to Stop Negative Thinking & Gossip
8. June 6, 2026 — Module 8: We All Want Peace
Teaching Team
The Zoom sessions will be led by the Choosing Presence team:
• Jim Heaney, author, SoCal Illuman Elder
• Jim Taylor, Illuman Weaver
• Brian Mueller, Illuman Ohio Elder
Choosing Presence Retreat (optional)
Saturday, June 13, 2026, Big Bear City, CA for 18 men. Friday night arrival and return home on Sunday morning. If needed, more accommodations will be made.
• Jim Taylor, companion/facilitator
• Deadline for holding a space for the retreat: May 13th
FEE: Free will offerings to Illuman SoCal are welcome. The entire program is being underwritten by our host and author of the program.