Wye Valley

 

Group Aims:

• To be a safe space to communicate authentically, ‘be real’ with other men.

• To listen deeply and affirm each of our journeys

• To celebrate our humanity and masculinity, as we explore our spirituality around the fire.

• To commit ourselves to learn how to live with each other and learn about ourselves as men as we share responsibility for the group.

• To encourage each other to affirm and embody our learning processes as men, by undertaking rites of passage.

 

All are welcome. We are part of a national network of men’s groups.

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Where and when we meet: Our monthly gathering is on the 3rd Wednesday, 7:00pm is gathering social time followed by prompt start of the  sharing circle from 7:30 - 9:30pm.

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Who we are: We use these five touchstones to guide and hold our circle:

• Centring – we are men grounded in the power of the here and now.

• Gathering – we are men who listen deeply to each other’s stories

• Connecting – we are men who choose another to walk with - shoulder to shoulder.

• Releasing – We are men who let go of the ways that no longer serve us.

• Serving – we are men who honour the earth and serve the whole human community

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In our sharing:

• The practice of the Way of Council is the approach of our monthly meetings

• We are not here to ‘fix’ each other, but rather to listen and reflect on what is heard.

• We speak from from ‘I’ statements

• There is no crosstalk - by that is meant that we do not need to agree or disagree with, comment on, judge or critique. We just receive what is said.

• Everyone is invited to share, but no one is obliged.

• We are men transforming men through a power greater than ourselves.

• Confidentiality must be respected at all times. This means that anything which is said in the group stays within the group and is not discussed outside of the group, without permission.

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Our time of sharing includes a social time, a transition time, then out of a period of silence we take turns to speak or respond to what comes, often on an agreed broad theme. This is usually introduced by a member(s) of the group who has agreed to be the facilitator or ‘Stoker’ for that circle. In the transition time and sacred space we are open to what expression may come, for instance: in song, percussion or embodied movement as well as or instead of words.

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We meet: at a Tintern farm that provides the venue at a modest cost in support of the work. Suggested contribution for the evening is £5 or whatever you can afford.

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More information: We would suggest it is helpful to visit www.malejourney.org.uk to get background for our practice. In addition:

• Wild Man to Wise Man – Reflections on Male Spirituality’. Richard Rohr, St. Anthony Messenger Press, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1990.​

 

Contact: Francis O’Leary through the form below.

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Want to know more?

Click here to complete an enquiry form (opens in a new window).

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