The rains did not keep us down. It helped us descend.
In the middle of October 2011 over 100 men converged in the highlands of West Virginia… searching for something. They were not searching for gold, but something golden. They were not searching for a wise man, but for wisdom. And they were not searching new technological ideas, but to be skillful.
These men came from all walks of life: PhD’s to GED’s, black, white, European, American, Christian, non-Christian, single, married. They came searching for a deeper, honest place to connect with their own soul, and the souls of other men.
The Men’s Rites of Passage (MROP) was founded by Richard Rohr, OMF, fifteen years ago. It meets men at several different junctures along their spiritual journeys. For most, it’s an oasis and desert at the same time. This MROP was no different.
The first three of the five days, this MROP found the ground saturated from continuous rainfall. Unlike those who were able to be in cabins, many of the men stayed in tents throughout. For all, however, shoes were caked in mud, squishy sounding and cold. It wasn’t the most “pleasant” of living conditions!
Some of us on the MROP Planning Team were disappointed that the event started with rain. I mean come on, this was our event, after all! Besides us, we thought we might hear complaints and grumbling from the men. We didn’t hear one word of complaint!
The rain became a symbol of the path that men need to follow to find their inner gold. It’s the path of descent, the path of letting go of old macho dualistic religious legalistic thinking. It’s the path of deliberately breaking free from a safe and comfortable self-image, and embracing new ways to see our masculine spirituality, i.e. ways that may be dangerous, bloody and uncharted.
Since the MROP many men have stayed in contact with each other. I hear of renewed hope and confidence in their spiritual journeys. Some have even said that they always carry with them their “sack” of gold! God’s love is taking more shape and space in their masculine hearts and lives, particularly as they claim their “Beloved Son-ship.”
The rain was a gift to all of us reminding us that we cannot control much of anything. Rohr said that we men often try to “push the river.” As the rains filled the West Virginia rivers, creeks and pathways this past October, these 100 men found a richer reality in that statement, and hopefully in life!
Call or email me if you want to learn more.
Kevin Barwick
KevinBarwick@Anew-Place.com
www.Anew-Place.com
301-552-6688
