A few weeks ago, just over thirty Illuman leaders gathered at Trout Lodge in the foothills of the Ozarks for our annual leaders gathering, which we’ve dubbed “Oracle” after our original location in Oracle, Arizona.¹ Though we have changed venues, we’ve found it meaningful to keep the name, especially since one meaning of the term Oracle is “a revelation or the persons through whom the revelation is given.”

We spent most of our time together engaged in a practice known as the Work That Reconnects (WTR), with Ned Abenroth and Terry Symens-Bucher serving as facilitators. Brought into the world by ecophilosopher and teacher Joanna Macy, WTR is an experiential, participatory process to reconnect with our selves, others, and the world of creation. It begins with the wisdom tradition of grounding in gratitude. From the stance of gratitude, we can then see and feel the pain of the world which, of course, is felt in our own bodies. The pain of the world takes many forms: destruction of habitat, climate change, species extinction, wars, political polarization, as well as family disintegration and estrangement. These and other traumas we often carry, hidden and unspoken. This step is called “Honoring Our Pain for the World.” Grieving and allowing our pain to be acknowledged, witnessed, and felt becomes the opportunity to identify ourselves in new ways and create new neural pathways.

In the WTR, this experience of transformation is called “Seeing with New Eyes.” Finally, various facilitated experiences allow us to exercise this new sight and develop an “active hope.” This work helps us to transform the despair and apathy that can result from facing our social and ecological crises into constructive, collaborative action. Thus, the last step of the process is called “Going Forth.” For Illuman leaders at Oracle, this meant recommitting to our mission of transforming men through a power greater than our own. As part of this, we participated in a Fishbowl and Spiral Council with the men involved with the Illuman Reweaving process, followed, on the final morning, by meetings of the Board, Wisdom Elders, and Conveners. As we turned back to the more practical details of Illuman leadership, our conversations were enriched by the intensive inner work we had just completed. We closed the Oracle experience with a liturgy and left feeling inspired and renewed in our commitment to further the work of Illuman.

1 Oracle is an annual leaders retreat attended by men who serve on the Board, Wisdom Elders, Conveners, operations Councils, and other leadership groups within Illuman. Leaders from international Illuman-affiliated organizations are also invited. The retreat is planned by the Program Council.

Each evening at Oracle, our annual leaders retreat held just a few weeks ago in Potosi, Missouri, we gathered around “Grandfather Fire” to offer gifts of poetry, story, drumming, movement, and song. Below is a poem written post-Oracle by Wisdom Elder-emeritus Glenn Siegel, along with links to several other gifts that were offered. You can also access all of the poems and readings on our website.

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Illuman’s signature event, this 5-day, 4-night experience awakens men to the adventure and mystery of their own masculinity, their deep spirituality, their potential for leadership, and their life’s purpose. Follow the links below to learn more about the one nearest you.

May 25–29

The Young Men’s Rites of Passage is 5 days and 4 nights of formal male initiation for men ages 19–29. The program is a deeply prayerful and soulful experience that builds on the classic patterns of male initiation through simple and moving rituals and teaching. During this event you will engage in ritual, drumming, council circles, elder talks, contemplative silence, and solo-wilderness time.

First Rites of Passage is for middle-school boys and their fathers or male elders, introducing them to Illuman’s Rites of Passage. This experience will include bonfires, storytelling, Native American legends and lore, rituals, and time alone in rugged wilderness deep in the breathtaking Ozarks.

M.A.L.E. ANON

(held virtually on Zoom)

Illuman is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose vision is to see men transforming men and, through them, families and communities for generations to come. Our mission is to engage those seeking a life-long journey of spiritual transformation.