Our Mission
We are a center for experiential education, rooted in the Gospels, encouraging the transformation of human consciousness through contemplation, and equipping people to be instruments of peaceful change in the world.
Small Group
We have made 30 our symbolic M.A.L.Es number. It is the symbolic age when men often begin to ask mature questions of themselves, and leave the image of themselves as boys. It is the age when Jesus “made his statement” about life and death. In keeping with this concept, we suggest that 30-30-30 might be a structure for starting a men’s group.
BASIC FORMAT
The meeting would be an hour and a half – subdivided into (3) thirty minute segments.
Segment I (first 30 minutes) – Background (welcome, silence, possible drumming, check-ins)
becoming present to the moment, sharing of “where I am right now” (emotionally, practically) – share for approx 3-5 minutes – other men say “thank you _____” when a man is finished so as to acknowledge his “check-in”. There is no cross-talk during check-ins.
Segment II (second 30 minutes) – Mid-Ground (sharing on a selected theme) - Possibilities:
A. Use a chapter from Richard Rohr’s books From Wild Men to Wise Men, Adam’s Return, or Quest for the Grail.
B. Use one of the Beloved Sons (CD) videos/DVDs or the video Quest for the Grail (book).
C. Suggested topic/theme starters
D. A man from the group prepares the topic/theme (could rotate each time to a different man)
* Richard Rohr materials can be purchased through Mustard Seed Resource Center, 505-247-1636 or www.cacradicalgrace.org
Segment III (final 30 minutes) – Foreground (sharing of what I need to do/change, act on/improve for myself or others) and then a Final Prayer
A. Men could journal on this for about fifteen minutes and then make a statement to the group about the “to do”.
B. Men could each have about 3-5 minutes to share on his “to do”
C. Men could take a walk and then come back for some sharing at the end
Final Prayer could be spontaneous (have men circle and each share a part of the prayer) OR they could use the “Father Prayer” composed by Father Richard Rohr, OFM.
- Group size would be around 5-8 men.
- Group meetings do best when they are set to a consistent day and time (bi-weekly, monthly, etc.).
- Official time is held to, so men know what they can expect and have committed to.
- Meetings occasionally get bumped for an outing in nature (a hike), or a gathering/fun thing (potluck, meal together, etc.) – You want to keep things balanced.
What you can expect from the Men’s Group
- A safe place to be your TRUE self
- A recognition that you have been heard by the group
- A place where you can share without expecting to receive judgment or feedback (unless you ask for it)
- Confidentiality
- Respect for your different perspectives and opinions
What the Men’s Group expects from you
- To share openly where you are at in your life’s journey
- A vulnerability (to be real, honest with no need to pretend)
- An openness to silence
- An openness with participating (speaking, drumming, facilitating the group on a given topic after a sufficient period of orientation to the group)
- A desire to be on a spiritual quest
- To be present to the established meeting time A respect for other men’s different perspectives and opinions
Show up and BE REAL!
