Men’s Circles
A Men’s Circle is a place for men to been seen for our true selves, and for all of our personal gifts and limitations. It is a trustworthy container for men to connect on a deep level and share with authentic vulnerability. From this place of deep care and trust, we can support each other to become better men.
“The first act of violence that patriarchy demands of males is not violence toward women. Instead patriarchy demands of all males that they engage in acts of psychic self-mutilation, that they kill off the emotional parts of themselves.”
-Bell Hooks
Intro
A men's circle is a container for being seen for who we really are - inherently beautiful and worthy people, deserving of love and support. The trust and safety of a strong circle allows for being more authentic and vulnerable - so we can know ourselves and connect with others on a deeper level than we can in our everyday society. None of this is exclusive just to men, and this kind of work can exist with people of any gender, but this group is for people identifying as men. The norms and practices of a men’s circle have a strong structure that creates a feeling of trust and safety, which then allows for safety, softness, vulnerability, and growth. Watch the video below to hear an explanation of the format of a standard men’s circle, as I learned it from my training with The ManKind Project.
Structure
For our next 8-week session this is the tentative structure:
Week 1: Intro and Foundations - establishing relationships and practicing group norms.
Week 2: Lover Work - getting in touch with feelings, emotions, embodiment, and sharing more of our stories.
Week 3: Topic TBD - We will connect and share around a topic.
Week 4: Warrior Work - practicing clear and clean agreements, accountability, and clearings of emotional charges.
Week 5: Topic TBD - We will connect and share around a topic.
Week 6: Magician Work - delving into transformation possibilities by examining our unconscious parts.
Week 7: Topic TBD - We will connect and share around a topic.
Week 8: King’s Circle - We will honor and bless each other for the work we have done.
Discussion Topics
We can customize our circle to the interests of the group. Some potential discussion topics are:
Romantic Relationships, Work Relationships, Partnership, Marriage, Sex, Money, Parenting, Fathers, Mothers, Siblings, Ancestry, Personal Goals, Career Goals, Life Purpose, Addiction, Abuse, Self Love/Hate, Depression, Anxiety, Religion, Spirituality, Inspiration, Poetry… or anything else that is alive for you.
Disclaimer
This is not group therapy and I am not a licensed therapist. This work is community oriented and each man is expected to be fully present to support the strength of the group. The group has strong agreements, including confidentiality, that help create the safety for vulnerable sharing and personal growth.
Financial Commitment
To help maintain a strong container and commitment to the group, a sliding scale fee of $20-$40 per session is requested before the first group. If that amount is prohibitive, a lower amount can be requested. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
If you are interested in participating in a men’s circle, please fill out this form and I will respond soon. Cheers!