I want to share the deep gratitude I hold in my heart for each and every man who showed up this past weekend. To be surrounded by men who; live in service, act from their heart, speak boldly with passion, hear me when I share my truth and support me in becoming the most authentic version of me possible, encourages me to share those gifts with all of my relations! Being with you men reminds me that I am capable of stepping into these places of strength. So thank you for YOU, exactly as you are… you remind me of my own beauty and glory.
— Larry
Being a Journeymen mentor has given me an opportunity to impact the lives of young men I would never meet in my ordinary life, and share with them the passions and gifts that I am uncovering on a daily basis in hopes that they will be inspired to share their own. It’s given me a chance to look at my own adolescence and ask how I wish that men had shown up for me at that time in my life.
— Michael
It was an honor and a privilege to work and play with you all this past weekend. It was one of the sweetest experiences of my life, and I am so happy to have met you all. I am still amazed and energized from the amount of courage, trust and vulnerability (in my judgment) I witnessed this weekend. Thank you all for sharing, and for the teachings I now embody. You all hold a very special place in my heart.
— Brenton
The weekend was awesome and powerful for me. Although I do not think I can exactly put into words how it has changed me, what I do know is that I walk in the world with a different perspective. Something in my soul was affected deeply. I know that soul work is often unspoken and with out words, and that this weekend was full of those experiences for the boys and for me. Getting to be a witness to it and participate in the numerous rituals has had an impact on that part of me that is eternal and that is connected in oneness with each and everyone of you and with all the sentient beings and even the rocks and plants on this planet. I know that may sound corny, but as I said, my perspective has been opened and widened.
I feel more connected to my ancestors and want to experience that more. For me, I have little connection with my dad and grandfathers and don’t know any ancestors past that. So the consciousness that was raised in me to imagine the men on whose shoulders I now stand and whose shoulders my sons now stand as well, is inspiring and brings tears to my eyes as I think about my own mortality and what kind of world I am creating and will ultimately leave behind for the next generation.
— Todd
When I left the weekend I was full of awe, excitement, love, and in an altered state. I have been part of conscious initiatory experiences going on 18 years and I found this one to be one of the most potent, powerful, and loving. I stepped into my elder and the elder role in a new way and am thankful for the opportunity to figure out what this is for me and how to share it. On my journey through life I have been mostly void of teachers and mentors to guide me along the journey. That scenario I believe is both due to myself and our culture at large. I grew up not trusting men so I did not seek out the mentors for fear of being controlled and shaped the way they wanted me to be rather than guided, coaxed, and encouraged into finding my creative expression in the world. And I believe our culture let me down as well. Where were these men I needed? Once again I find myself out there piecing together the place of the elder and who I am as an elder. Where are the mentors? I find myself relating to these boys.
I left the weekend inspired to continue stepping up to the journey, being there for these boys, moving further into the place of the elder and being present with what is. I am grateful to all of you men for showing up. I am moved by these boys. And I give thanks to the ancestors and all that is.
— Jeffrey
My experience of the weekend was as a caterpillar building a cocoon, then fighting it’s way out, emerging as a fresh and new being, fluttering weakly with new wings. As much for myself as for the boys.
Firstly I was in awe at many, many points during the weekend of the power of the work that we/they did. Many times getting this by transposing myself at my teen age, and realizing the difference that could have been if I would have had this initiation and support. I am blessed to have found such a future altering place to do service.
I so appreciate seeing the beauty of 18 teen boys stepping into their journey to man. Knowing that my showing up makes a difference.
— Dan
