by OracleSeeker

A few years ago, a very dear (and departed) friend of mine, and I put together a group. There in Port Angeles, a very small, and conservative town, we formed a group of men with similar feelings.

We had determined that we wanted something more than a place to sit around talking about who had a bigger, faster car... Or who was sleeping with whom... Or who we thought would win the Rose Bowl.

We drew our knowledge from a mutual friend of ours, a Tribal Elder. He taught us some of the traditions that he had grown up with...

The men of their tribe would gather together once a week at the sweat lodge. Here they would perform a "Smudging Ritual" or a spiritual cleansing. They would shed their wants or worries from their daily life, and enter their Sacred Space.

Here, in the confines of this very warm room, the Elder would begin by taking his staff, which was referred to as a "Talking Stick". While he was holding this stick, all eyes and attention were given to him, as he spoke his truth. He would set a main theme, and then pass this "Talking Stick" to the next man, who in turn, spoke his truth from his heart, and then pass this on to the next.

At the end of this time of sharing, was a time for meditation, and grounding. It was a time for communication with the "Great Spirit". Then, one by one, they would exit the Sweat Lodge and gather around the bonfire. Here they would, again, pass the Talking Stick and share their visions of hope, strength and guidance with each other.

There were, of course, many drumming sessions with their women-folk. But, they seemed to find it important to share their hope, and strength among themselves -to help each other grow in their spiritual path. Then they felt they had more to offer to their mates...

This, gentlemen, is my vision of what a men's group could accomplish. Oh, sure, we probably have no need for SweatLodge, and we might not need to bang our drums... But, I feel there is something to be learned from coming together and sharing our fears, doubts, and insecurities with each other, and then sharing our personal strengths, our experiences, and hope. Reaching out our hands to each other, and growing together in our spirituality...

This is what I am looking for, and what I think could truly benefit any and all who might be interested in stretching and strengthening their own personal and spiritual life. Maybe this would aid in making our magic work much stronger, making our work at home healthier... This is my vision.

Joseph aka OracleSeeker