flamy Posted May 29, 2012 Posted May 29, 2012 It seems like a valid and natural question to ask. But, how much and how often is it really asked? And, are there answers? In February, I attended a modern-day initiation for modern men. It was intense and beautiful. It was called the New Warrior Training Adventure (http://mankindproject.org/new-warrior-training-adventure). 31 men including myself went through the ordeal of looking at our deepest fears, shames and scars, limiting beliefs about self-worth, and came out on the other side with more clarity and freedom and with a better understanding of our Shadow sides. I had had a deep longing for a deep friendship with men. I tried to find it among my existing friends, but the depth of authentic masculinity was lacking in most. It feels good to have a brotherhood of men I respect and can trust. I love the feeling of community. With my self-work, I eventually found this, but not enough men are aware that such a support network exists. Initiation, as a ritual and as a rite-of-passage has been lost to men in the modern world. Thankfully, there is more awareness being created now. One of them is this movie: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/112091 Watch the trailer and let me know what you think of it. I'd eventually like to bring Men's Work to India. There is a real need for this back home.
Crookbond Posted May 29, 2012 Posted May 29, 2012 31 men including myself went through the ordeal of looking at our deepest fears, shames and scars, limiting beliefs about self-worth, and came out on the other side with more clarity and freedom and with a better understanding of our Shadow sides. Looks more like woman hood to me. #JK
flamy Posted May 29, 2012 Author Posted May 29, 2012 Looks more like woman hood to me. #JK That is one of the fears, yes. :)
flamy Posted May 29, 2012 Author Posted May 29, 2012 what exactly do u mean deep friendship with men? Men with whom I can talk. Real talk. What holds me back? What am I afraid of? What is he afraid of? Men who hold me accountable and are not afraid to call me on my bullshyt. Men who support me in living my mission. Men committed to living their mission and digging deep into the negative beliefs (Shadow). Men, living in their power, by being absolutely vulnerable. I sit with my Men's Circle every Tuesday. These are men I trust my life with. I have known them for just over 3 months.
Roshanrocks Posted May 29, 2012 Posted May 29, 2012 Something like alcoholics anonymous? what is their /your mission?
flamy Posted May 29, 2012 Author Posted May 29, 2012 MKP's mission: The purpose of MKP is to create a safer world by growing “better” men. We do this by training men and supporting them in circles. http://mankindproject.org/our-vision-mission-purpose-values Each man's mission is different. And, it changes over time. AA deals with just addiction to alcohol. This encompasses everything. Men bring problems stemming from childhood abuse, sexual shame, marriages breaking down, sense of purposelessness, and we come together to just revel in masculinity. Masculinity is not celebrated enough in the present world, with the skewed view of men that is purported. Which is why it was a delight to find a woman making a movie about men. I signed up to be the Executive Producer of that movie :D My personal mission is to empower people. Men's work is one of the ways I do it. Aya is another. And there is other stuff too, that I won't get into here. As part of this, I want to bring Men's Work to India. That is a long-lead project for me. It is tricky because I have to do it remotely. I hope to find some good locals here who are interested in helping me.
flamy Posted May 29, 2012 Author Posted May 29, 2012 The initiation weekend, yes you have to pay for. I started by attending a couple of Open Circles in my city. If you come to Portland, I'll include you in my circle
Nova Posted May 29, 2012 Posted May 29, 2012 Manhood Anonymous? :D I think this is good if something is holding you back to achieve your goals in life. In the process, one feels connected to other people in the group and could develop lifelong true friendships. I see this as a mental and physical conditioning camp. Even highly motivated and goal oriented individuals need mental coaching to cross over something challenging and achieve the extra-ordinary. There so many self improvement books and courses out there. This one, I believe provides a more wholesome approach. I welcome the man (and also the woman) to be more expressive and to be in touch with their emotions. Usually, if we are facing any problems or want to talk about something...we tend to discuss it with our family or very close friends. However, such talks sometimes lack the intensity or are not target oriented. Moreover, even a close friend can feel burdened to hear the deepest emotions of another man. What a group, like this, does is formalize things by bringing like minded people together, through a structured and pro-active goal oriented sort of approach to go through the journey of life. Maximize your potential! Uncover the untapped energy inside you. Develop new bonds..new deeper friendships! So this is what I gather from this. And it probably is only one aspect, amongst other things, of such a social activity.
Nova Posted May 29, 2012 Posted May 29, 2012 And there is other stuff too, that I won't get into here. get into it :woot:
flamy Posted May 29, 2012 Author Posted May 29, 2012 Manhood Anonymous? :D I think this is good if something is holding you back to achieve your goals in life. In the process, one feels connected to other people in the group and could develop lifelong true friendships. I see this as a mental and physical conditioning camp. Even highly motivated and goal oriented individuals need mental coaching to cross over something challenging and achieve the extra-ordinary. There so many self improvement books and courses out there. This one, I believe provides a more wholesome approach. I welcome the man (and also the woman) to be more expressive and to be in touch with their emotions. Usually, if we are facing any problems or want to talk about something...we tend to discuss it with our family or very close friends. However, such talks sometimes lack the intensity or are not target oriented. Moreover, even a close friend can feel burdened to hear the deepest emotions of another man. What a group, like this, does is formalize things by bringing like minded people together, through a structured and pro-active goal oriented sort of approach to go through the journey of life. Maximize your potential! Uncover the untapped energy inside you. Develop new bonds..new deeper friendships! So this is what I gather from this. And it probably is only one aspect, amongst other things, of such a social activity. Agree.
flamy Posted May 29, 2012 Author Posted May 29, 2012 get into it :woot: Too much typing and will derail the thread. :beee: This thread is not my blog :D
Nova Posted May 29, 2012 Posted May 29, 2012 Too much typing and will derail the thread. :beee: You are not going to lose your fingers...open another thread....
yoda Posted May 29, 2012 Posted May 29, 2012 Any gayness involved? That is one wholesomeness I can live without.
flamy Posted May 29, 2012 Author Posted May 29, 2012 Men of all races and sexual orientation are included.
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