A reader (“Stephen”) contacted me with the request to promote this text on my blog. And as it’s about a worthy cause for men and their empowerment, I’m happy to accept.
Last summer I spent a powerful few days at a men’s ‘rites of passage’ event in Scotland. This was quietly recommended to me by a friend-of-a-friend, and I was immediately drawn to the talk of drumming, fire and wilderness; and of male rites that would push me out of my comfort zone and into closer contact with the real man hidden inside me.
In today’s western culture where do we get the teaching and encouragement in what it means to be a man….from our emotionally-absent fathers? from lager-swilling macho pub culture? from ‘metrosexual’ hair-gel adverts? from a philosophy of getting more money, sex and power?
Where do we learn that a man is strong, compassionate, kind, creative, authentic, honourable, protective, brave and loving?
The event was a real ‘initiation’ for me and has been the start of an invaluable journey.
You can read more about this year’s event at www.mrop.org.uk (13th-17th June 2012)
I actually don’t know these guys. I’m interested in learning more. If you have already done the New Warrior Training adventure, this looks like a place to go for additional soul food.