What is Men’s Work?

Men are living in an unprecedented time in history. We are being asked to change, and this request isn’t exactly optional if we are interested in the collective survival of our species.

To respond to this opportunity for growth in a good way we need each other for support. Only other men can understand the challenges we face. Society divides us, but we need to be united more than ever.

A solution that works is men’s groups. I have participated in or led over 500 men’s circles in the 15 years I have been involved with men’s work, and have seen the massive levels of support men can give and receive, the deepening of many connections, and the magic of men who are showing up to do their personal work.

Men’s group is a sacred space where we can connect with other men, share our wisdom and get support in facing challenges, identify and release blockages in our lives, and honor each other’s progress.

What a Men’s Group is Like

The facilitator of the group sets the mood and invites the men to the chosen location. On arrival there is an opportunity to be cleansed with sage, copal, or palo santo. We invoke the sacred masculine archetypes and the seven directions, creating a safe, secure and sacred container for our work to happen in.

We do our work in rounds. The first round is dedicated to the Lover. The facilitator may lead a short meditation or embodiment exercise, then we share our feelings one by one. Round two is about the warrior- this is where we hold ourselves and each other accountable for our agreements and make stretches into our mission.

In the third round we honor the warrior. This is where the magic happens! We have an opportunity to touch our shadow (that which we hide, repress or deny) and engage in some deep process work.

The final round is dedicated to the King or Sovereign- we share wisdom and honor each other’s progress. The container is closed and we have a opportunity to socialize before heading home.

Repeat weekly for best results!

Where does this model of men’s work come from?

Over 20 years ago the Mankind Project (MKP) came into being as a response to our society’s profound disconnection from itself, and specifically the lack of a coherent and grounded understanding of what it is to be a man. The goal was to assimilate and re-frame men’s work into something that could be synthesized and delivered to men who were ready to shift into the fullness of living in integrity and mission.

Now there are active circles in 12 countries, with over 50,000 men worldwide who have done our New Warrior training, a weekend retreat experience carefully designed and presented to replicate the process of the archetypal hero’s journey.

During the weekend we present an introduction to the sacred masculine archetypes and learn how we can support each other in growing these inner personalities into mature expressions. Mature archetypes are essential to a balanced life.

Weekly circles are an outgrowth of the weekend training, though men who have not yet done the weekend workshop are free to attend some groups. Each group is autonomous and can therefore determine it’s own requirements for membership.

Men’s group supports us to develop missions of service and then use them as a reference point to create the life we envision. A mission of service is the natural outgrowth of a mature or third-level man.