In this newsletter you'll find some important updates:

1. How to register for our Conference (Nov. 7 - 9, 2014).
2. How to register for Soularize 2014 (open to initiated men only: Nov. 5 - 7, 2014).
3. "The Five Touchstones" - a framework for thinking about the masculine spiritual journey.
4. Links to upcoming Men's Rites of Passage.

And don't forget to check out our Elder Profile and Reflection features.

  

1. Illuman Conference 2014 - Register Now. 

Click here to register for our conference     Save The Date: November 7-9, 2014    The Hyatt Regency Tamaya Bernalillo, New Mexico    To book your hotel at discounted rates, please click here.

 

This event will precede the annual conference and starts on November 5^th and concludes on November 7^th (the conference begins at 4:30 PM). In previous years, suggestions about how to make this event better were:

• Don't restrict who can attend and
• Make this about my/our spiritual journey (and less about business)

So this year's event will be:

• Open to all initiated* men affiliated with an Illuman Chapter or interested in having a relationship with Illuman.
• All about your/our spiritual journey.

It will also see us launch a new way of being with each other: The Illuman Way of Council. Initiated men who attend this year's Soularize will have an opportunity to engage in our usual activities of contemplative prayer, ritual, personal time and small groups (all in the spectacular environment provided by our venue in New Mexico). And all of these activities will be based on learning and integrating the Way of Council into our individual and collective work.  This promises to be a rich experience for initiated men.*

*While there are many forms of initiation, for the purposes of Illuman, a man is considered initiated if he has attended a Men's Rites of Passage.

3. Introducing Five Touchstones of the Spiritual Journey 

The Journey of Illumination (JOI) is the pathway of growth and transformation for men. This lifelong process challenges us men to take responsibility for our own spiritual maturity. We journey together but within the space of our own lives. JOI awakens men to the two essential challenges of the Journey-to choose a specific practice (show up) and to be present (pay attention) in the body, the spirit and the  soul. Your personal investment, in yourself and to the process, is very important so that a group of  elders can be raised up who live the values of Men As Learners and Elders, helping to better our communities and, hence, our world. This is the primary focus and work of Illuman-to assist men in this ongoing process.

Some of the varied tools that can assist men in this work are: the Men's Rite of Passage, Wandering Retreats, Home Group Sharing, the Way of Council, foundational reading, ritual practice, Firming weekends, centering prayer, the annual Soularize gathering, and Regional/local gatherings. While these communal tools are very helpful, the real work is our own spiritual practices.

In the following months we will highlight and give a detailed explanation about five specific, clear spiritual practices that focus on authentic presence. These touchstones are central to a man's way to God. They are:

1. Centering
2. Gathering
3. Connecting
4. Releasing
5. Serving 

When lived faithfully, these five touchstones serve as a pathway to aid men on their journey to God. In turn, these men discover their own unique meaning and vision for their life in serving others. Therefore, we are intentionally bringing these five touchstones into all our gatherings as M.A.L.Es, which includes workshops, conferences, retreats, local gatherings and home sharing groups.

5.  Upcoming Men's Rites of Passage for 2014

Are you interested in attending an MROP, or do you know someone who wishes to attend? Here's our 2014 schedule:

• April 23-27, 2014 - Aravaipa Canyon, Arizona
• June 18-22, 2014 - Oberösterreich, Austria
• July 23-27, 2014 - Perth, Scotland
• August 6-10, 2014 - Princeton, Illinois

For contact information, click here.