The Nature of Being Human

Unit 1 of Year 1: Pilgrim SoULL

This course offers a way for students to step into SoULL material without a full year committment. In this course students are introduced to a language of human life that includes growth, aging and dying as we do a somatically-oriented overview of human development. Students learn to see spiritual, energetic and physical experience as deeply connected through the human life span and beyond. On its own, this course helps people reorient their ideas of life and death and know themselves as part of nature, not opposed to it. This radically reduces existential anxiety.

The Nature of Being Human is taught in small classes and, like all SoULL material, is both didactic, interactive and highly experiential. It is sometimes taught online (usually late winter) and sometimes in person (late spring in Wisconsin). Wherever we teach it, we support students in linking insights from this class to existing theories within somatic psychology, especially Neo-Reichian ideas.  However do not think that this course is only for professionals. This material is powerful and completely accessible for people who are not therapists. It is for any curious, open-minded adult.

Who is this for?

• Therapists and other professionals who want to better support their clients through existential anxiety

• Regular folks who struggle to feel connected to their purpose

• People who want to free themselves from the fear of death and dying so they can live more fully

Students are often interested in continuing to complete Units 2 and 3 of Pilgrim SoULL after taking this course. We hope you do this, and we will accommodate as space allows in the class. However, we encourage people to commit to the full program if they are able to do so.

“Aging is pre-programmed enlightenment.”

- Jeanne Denney

Dates for 2025 Programs:

ONLINE: Click here for dates

In Person: Dates and location to be decided soon.

Interested in any of our programs for 2025? We would love to know.

Fill out an inquiry HERE.

We will be back in touch with details when they are available.

Interested in joining us, but need to talk to someone? Book a free call with a past student so that you can understand the profound impact our programming has on people! Email us with inquiries.

Information about 2024 Online Program

Up to now all of our online programs have been live, and taught in two- 3 day weekends (rather than an intensive 4-day retreat). This year we are going to try something different. Jeanne will finally tape her lectures so that students can watch them during their own time during the week. Students will then meet online to discuss, do the experiential work for the course, and process with experienced facilitators. Jeanne will still be coming into class from time to time for questions and experiences.

Why the change? This format allows students from all over the world to explore our curriculum and join in.

This year, the online format of The Nature of Being Human will begin in early 2024 and will take place either on your own time or on weekend mornings in the U.S. Exact times are determined after we know where students are coming from in the world.

Of course, we highly recommend that students do this work in person if it is possible for them. For information on our in-person teaching, read about Pilgrim SoULL.