ECC Community — Relationship — Inclusivity
Community begins with relationship -- becoming better at creating and deepening relationships. We use the inevitable constraints and conflicts of relationships as part of our inner work. Inclusivity for us is an attitude, a posture, a way of being that commits us to accepting all men as they are.
A true sense of community creates a strong sense of individual personhood…. True individuals create true community. And true community creates true individuals. They are not conflicting. Because we’ve so often experienced bad community and individualism instead of true personhood, we see them as somehow in conflict.
The life of the Spirit is a life of relatedness and relationship. A life of relationship is to be in union with nature, the moment, the person, the prayer, the community. As soon as those moments of relationship are cut off, we cut off the possibility of community, and we cut off the possibility of being a people of any real depth.
Richard Rohr
Community — Relationship
As a human, you are a relational being. To become more fully human you must develop your levels of relationality and being. This requires community. We need community to help us move outside and beyond ourselves.
Individualism has become a primary value in US culture. Community balances individualism. The men of Illuman have discovered that all transformation is relational. We must each do our inner work, but we develop best in community.
Illuman communities emerge organically: in local areas, online virtually, around particular interests, and for specific purposes.
We also participate in national and international Illuman communities.
Conversation
Dialogue is essential for relationship and community. Conversation involves listening and expressing. We practice deep listening “from the heart,” and authentic sharing that occasionally becomes quite vulnerable.
Small Groups — Council
To support these intentions Illuman has developed a practice of Council. It is based on methods of small group circle conversation and the art of convening. Our methods create safe “containers” for sharing, and regularly produces deep connection and empowering experiences. (See Practices page for more explanation)
A Community of Two — The Practice of Walking Shoulder-to-Shoulder
Another practice to develop relationships we call “walking shoulder-to-shoulder with another man.” We encourage men to connect with other men with whom they can develop a deeper, one-to-one relationship for ongoing support.
Inclusivity
The men of Illuman are committed to radical inclusivity as a way of being in all activities. We want all men to feel accepted, that they belong.
We address feelings or experiences of conflict or exclusion that may arise. We do so intentionally, with open minds, open hearts and open will. Our Council is an important practice for this work. This feeds individual as well as collective development.
When you focus on relationship as a primary value, actively participate in supportive communities, and accept and include all beings as inherently worthy, you are on the path to live the truth at the center of the image you were born with.
If you have particular questions about community, relationship or inclusivity, we look forward to hearing them. Let’s talk.
Dave Kraybill, ECC Convener kraybill.1@gmail.com