Men’s Spirituality

Is the such a thing as male spirituality?

This group has gathered from various churches across Edinburgh to reflect on male spirituality. Is there such a thing? Male initiation, fathers, archetypes, sexuality, powerlessness and ageing are topics worthy of reflection and discussion. The group met on a monthly basis to explore these issues through Richard Rohr’s book From Wild Man to Wise Man, then the various Christian traditions: contemplative, holiness, charismatic, social justice, evangelical and incarnational - as described in the Richard Foster inspired ‘A Spiritual Formation Workbook’. 

One of the group has remarked: ‘The men’s group is valuable for two reasons. One, it addresses male issues directly, in a non-judgemental way. Secondly, there was a range of traditions, assumptions were challenged and for me, at least, appreciation of other traditions deepened.’

This group has recently been reconfigured as pairs or triads. Those wishing to join us to reflect on life and faith as men with or without reading through agreed materials are cordially invited.

Topics we have explored:

• Emotions- Locating a few emotions!
• Relationship with/to time- Christ has laid hold upon time and sanctified it, giving it a sacramental character, a sign of our union with God.  (Thomas Merton)
• Home- No matter how much the world shatters us to pieces, we carry inside us a vision of wholeness that we sense is our true home and that beckons to us. (Frederick Buechner)
• Temptation- Distinguishing between what is creative and what is destructive in our own hearts.
• The father archetype- The move from childish heroism to adulthood is neither easy, and nor is it much encouraged. (Kester Brewin)
• Taking another look at the Prodigal son- Do we want to return from our self-imposed exiles?
• Gender stereotypes- Bridges or obstacles?
• The trinity, an asian perspective- Trinitarian community and the harmony of masculine and feminine
• The male spiritual journey (Rohr)- Ascent: The “heroic” journey (first half of life) and Descent: The “Wisdom” journey (second half of life)
• Androgyny- What are we supposed to look like?
• Shadow boxing- It takes so much energy and effort to suppress what we find unacceptable in ourselves that we can have very little energy left for anything else.  (Richard Rohr)
• Male archetypes- King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
• The ordinary- How small is that with which we wrestle; what wrestles with us - how great it is!  (Rilke)

Sources of inspiration

For those wishing to tap further into this the topic of specifically male spirituality here are some suggestions.

• Read Richard Rohr’s book Adam’s Return. It covers male initiation and topics such as men and power, men and anger and also the five substantial messages of life - I am going to die, I am not that important, Life is hard, I am not in control, My life is not about me.
• Go to the Bield retreat centre near Perth for one of their men’s weekend retreats. These are often influenced by Rohr’s work.
• Read David Whyte’s book Crossing the unknown sea (or the Heart Aroused) on work and identity. Whyte is a poet who works in the corporate world exploring poetry and storytelling’s ability to give meaning to the workplace. Topics include Ambition, Horizon and Arrival, Exhaustion and Wholeheartedness.
• Visit Richard Rohr’s Centre for Contemplation and Action web site and click on MALE (Men as Learners and Elders) for a range of downloadable articles.

If you are interested in male reflection in a triad or pair please contact Andrew.