Illuman men in east coast states have organized as a collaborative community to support men in our life-long journey of personal and spiritual growth.
As a non-denominational, interfaith, and spiritually inclusive organization, we support local communities of men in their "inner work:" to heal wounds, addictions and traumas, to deepen spiritually, and to grow as elders.
We know that the pain we do not transform we will transmit, so we seek a life changing spirituality.
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience,
we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
Our primary concern is inner work that expands the depth and breadth of love in ourselves, and that makes a difference in the world. A masculine path to healing and spiritual development is our method. Our practices are based in nature, story, ritual, council and imagery.
“The glory of God is a human being fully alive. ”
Our aim is to help men become mature, fully alive and generative elders, who make our world a place where everyone, and all of life, has the opportunity to thrive.
We take guidance and inspiration from our founder, Fr. Richard Rohr, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM.
men's rites of passage
Think of this time as jumping into a life-changing stew where you simmer for five days in the transformational mix of silence, wilderness, and powerful ritual that holds the possibility of breaking open your heart, allowing you to see new possibilities for yourself, and creating "living questions" that will percolate within you and guide you for years to come.
journey of illumination
The Journey of Illumination is a five-fold practice, informed by rich spiritual tradition, that invites you to show up and pay attention to the presence of God in your life. The goal of this path is to realize a full, intense and well-grounded spiritual journey. In observing them all that is not important is stripped away, and you discover more deeply that which is deeply important.
the way of council
Bring your pain, strength, power, weakness or whatever else it is that you are to address at this moment in life. Council is a place for you to tackle life head on, as awake and honest to what is your reality as you dare. It is also a place to practice a radical form of listening to others and to the Spirit. Council is a communal contemplative practice where we do our inner work in a group.
illuman worldwide
Illuman is a global not for profit organization committed to supporting men who are seeking to deepen their spiritual lives. Illuman is open to all men based on the simple belief that we are all brothers. While Illuman was founded in 2012, it emerged from the remarkable work of Men as Learners and Elders (M.A.L.Es) founded by Fr. Richard Rohr.