"BEING MEN" evening workshop series:
Being Real, Evolving, & Empowering each other
Suitable both for beginners and ongoing menswork explorers.
For men to get together in an experiential investigation of what 'being a man' means in the face of limiting cultural stereotypes.
Each series is four evenings, usually over four weeks, but occasionally with a break of one week in the middle. And will occasionally have a sweat lodge as an optional evening in the middle or at the end, and/or an afternoon workshop that serves as a refresher and an intro to the next series.
This work is not a classical men's talking circle (though we do use the circle as a structure so that everyone is on an equal footing, and we do have sharing spaces each session). Every evening follows a frame of transpersonal exercises and embodiment practices, though not at some crazy pace. Typical activities include: Golden Warrior Qi Gong, witnessing/sharing dyads & small groups, presence-deepening exercises, dynamic & guided meditations, breathwork, and more.
Each series significantly varies the content offered, as well as offering new perspectives on core material.
Practicalities:
Next Series: "BEHIND THE MASKS" (An investigation into some of the deep foundational parts of masculine identity. How alive -or not- is your Warrior, Your Lover, Your King, and others? A deeper exploration into this very rich field.) Revealing both the shadow and light of these aspects of ourselves, and integrating the whole man through journeying some key male archetypes. [Different practices and some new archetypes from our previous Masks workshops.].
four evenings in February/March 2012 (exact dates t.b.c.)
In East Brunswick - exact directions available after booking.
Super-earlybird pre-payment price is $100 ($80 low-income conc)
Payment required from nearer the date will be $120/$95
Paypal link will be available in the New Year. If you'd like to attend and want to go on the list prior to that, mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Groups are anywhere from 8-16 participants. If you haven't worked with us before, and would like to try out one evening before deciding whether the whole series is for you, please contact us directly as usually we will be able to let 2 or 3 people do this. Also, previous attendees may be allowed to drop-in to part of a series if they can't make all of the dates.
Each evening starts at 7.00, so you are asked to arrive 10 minutes before then so we can do admin and begin on time. We typically finish around 9.30 and then have some optional chill out time for those who can stay on. It is a basic indoor venue in a natural setting (Ceres in East Brunswick), and we occasionally do some of the work outside.
Cancelling: Before booking please refer to our cancellation policy at the base of our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Late entry into a course: If you can't make all of the evenings it may be possible to start a series late if there are still spaces. Contact us directly.
Travelling the Medicine Wheel
Each series is based around the Medicine Wheel. Some men enrol in just one series, others attend two or three. Some follow the whole program. Choose what works for you.
The Medicine Wheel is a shamanistic tool, a metaphoric examination of aspects of life (challenges, transition, goals and relationships). Our version is based on the Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society model.
Previous workshops series:
The East: Vision, Purpose & Creativity. Beginning to create a life vision and starting to develop our abilities to bring that to existence in the world.
The North: Courage, Stillness & Dignified Determination. Confronting your self-imposed obstacles and recognizing them as that. Calling in the specific resources and strengths that are required for your journey.
The West: Transformation, Embodiment & Manifestation. Being in your body. Being active and effective whilst operating from a place of still strength and deep self-awareness.
The South: Wisdom & Intuition: Inner Guidance. Reconnection to Inner & Outer Nature and reclaiming the lost or disconnected parts of ourselves.
Who is this work for?
These series are for men who might describe themselves as wanting to live more 'consciously' and courageously. Check out the rest of our website for deeper ideas about the work and what it can offer. These particular workshops are geared towards those 27 or older (because of the life transition that happens around this time), though occasionally we make exceptions. Attendees will need to have a basic reasonable level of health and fitness.
Who is the work not for?
If you are seeking a talking-focussed 'men's group' in the classic style we are not offering such a space, though we do incorporate sharing and discussion. Nor is this a substitute for therapy or any twelve-step programme, though it can work very well alongside such things - if you have already made significant progress in coming to know yourself and being able to deal with your own feelings and sense of worth.
If you have a heart condition, severe physical injury that prevents you standing up for some exercises or from breathing strongly for periods of time, or have a psychiatric illness that is severe and/or requires medication, then these groups will probably not suit you. If you are at all unsure of whether this is you, it is your responsibility to contact us and describe your circumstances before booking a place.
We also hold a drug and alcohol-free space, and anyone arriving 'out of it' will be asked to leave.