For most men, the question of what it means to be a man is perplexing. Most men have a longing for the support and guidance of other men in their journey towards masculinity, maturity, and a deeper experience with the divine. In ancient cultures initiation rites and vision quests were used to help boys make the journey into adulthood.

Opening the door to this journey can start with the Men’s Rites of Passage (MROP) retreat. This retreat can help awaken men to the adventure and mystery of their own masculinity, their deep spirituality, their potential for leadership, and their life’s purpose.

Living a shallow unexamined life is an empty experience. The Journey of Illumination begins with the age-old traditions that teach the five things every man needs to learn before he can fully engage in the adventure and mystery life will bring. MROP opens the door to the adventure.

The retreat is a five-day / four night, deeply prayerful and soulful experience that builds on the classic patterns of male initiation through simple and moving rituals and teaching. Each day includes participating in group prayer, major teachings on central masculine spirituality themes, quiet time for reflection, and sharing in the context of a “home group.”

Men are asked to come with a willingness to participate from beginning to end and not as an observer. All participants begin at point zero with no agendas to live up or down to. All that is required is for a man to come with a “beginner’s mind” and the readiness of a young novice seeking wisdom. Initiation, like life itself, is not a spectator’s sport.

This is not about religion but about spirituality, about age old traditions that guide us into manhood, about coming to trust that there is something much greater at work in our lives than we could ever imagine.

Why Males Need Initiation

“Transformation, initiation and getting the great vision can’t happen inside of the brick and mortar. You always have to take the boy into nature. There’s not a single exception to that.”

Read how the MROP has changed men’s lives here > Our Blog

The Journey Of Illumination

Becoming an Initiated Man on the Men’s Rites of Passage is the start of your Journey of Illumination. It will last throughout the rest of your life.

We are now men transforming men through a power greater than ourselves. We are seeking a life changing spirituality. Our primary concern is inner work that makes a difference in the world. We are fed by the wisdom traditions of forgiveness and radical inclusivity. Our work recovers traditional patterns of male initiation, affirms a masculine path to healing, reveals the true and false self and honours the path of descent. We do this through the power of ritual, image, story and council. These are our five touchstones:

• Centering – we are men grounded in the power of the here and now (e.g. your regular spiritual practice).
• Gathering – we are men who listen deeply to each other’s stories (e.g. your engagement in men’s groups and networks).
• Connecting – we are men who choose another to walk with – shoulder to shoulder (e.g. mentoring, coaching and spiritual guidance).
• Releasing – We are men who let go of the ways that no longer serve us (e.g. setting-down reviews and rituals).
• Serving – we are men who honour the earth and serve the whole human community (e.g. your service to others).

We seek to form future generations of men who will restore these practices – serving to build a world that celebrates the beauty of all beings.