Our Mission
We are a center for experiential education, rooted in the Gospels, encouraging the transformation of human consciousness through contemplation, and equipping people to be instruments of peaceful change in the world.
MALEs Overview
About Us
The vision of Men As Learners and Elders (MALEs) is to reclaim the spiritual initiation of men through experiential journeying into the True Self, creating a tradition for future generations. Learn more about our history, mission and core beliefs.
Upcoming Events
- April 25-29, 2012 Men's Rites of Passage in Araviapa Canyon, Arizona
- May 9-13, 2012 Men's Rites of Passage in Julian, California
- June 13-17, 2012 Men's Rites of Passage in Perth
- June 20-24, 2012 Men's Rites of Passage in Kiltegan, Co Wicklow
- August 15-19, 2012 Men's Rites of Passage in Princeton, Illinois
Featured Resources
On the Threshold of Transformation: Daily Meditations for Men
A New Book by Fr. Richard Rohr
In these short daily meditations Fr. Richard clearly reveals that every man must be willing to descend into his own vulnerabilities if he is ever to be transformed in a way that leads him to his authentic, best self. This letting go is essential to achieving wholeness, holiness, and happiness.
With Richard as their guide, the path to male spiritual transformation can be found and followed.
Click Here to Order.
Creating Rituals: A New Way of Healing for Everyday Life
by Jim Clarke, MROP 1997, Ghost Ranch, NM
160 pages \ 5 3/8 x 8 \ Paperback \ $14.95 \ 978-0-8091-4716-8
Life is full of ups and downs. Whether we like it or not, we are on a constant roller coaster of successes and failures, major life changes, losses and transitions. For our happiness and inner peace, we often need help in negotiating these passages through turbulent times. We in the North American culture have forgotten the magic our ancestors knew—how to use rituals for a successful life journey. This book will teach you the secrets of how to create personal, family, and communal rituals that will change your life.
Through this book readers will learn:
- how to create rituals for life stages and transitions
- how to heal and transform relationships
- the differences between ceremony and ritual
- the important elements of an effective ritual
- the skills to move forward through times of loss and change
- how to repair ritual failures
Rev. Jim Clarke has an extensive academic background in the fields of spirituality, education, counseling, ritual, and mythology. He has a special interest in men’s work and masculine spirituality. With over 25 years of experience as a ritual elder and teacher, he currently serves as director of spiritual formation and chairman of spiritual theology at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA.
Creating Rituals is available for purchase online through Amazon.com or Paulist Press.
Journey of Illumination
The Journey of Illumination is MALEs’ name for the lifelong male spiritual journey. The journey is an ongoing process for continued spiritual growth and transformation of men.
To learn more about the Journey of Illumination, click here.
The Number 30
MALEs has chosen the number 30 as our symbolic number. Click here to read more about why we chose the number 30 and its practical implications.
Men’s Rites of Passage
The program is a five-day / four night deeply prayerful and soulful experience that builds on the classic patterns of male initiation through simple and moving rituals and teaching. Each day includes group prayer, major teachings on central masculine spirituality themes, quiet time for reflection, and sharing in the context of a “home group.”
Click here for more information on the Men’s Rites of Passage and upcoming dates.
FIRMing
A FIRMing (Fifth Initiation Ritual for Men) is a three-day event designed for men who have experienced the Rites of Passage and who participate in the Journey of Illumination. FIRMing is an intensive event containing solitude, ritual, and other experientials.
Click here for more information on the FIRMing and upcoming dates.
MALEs Regions
Interested in deepening your spiritual journey by (re)connecting with other men or learning about upcoming events in your area? Click here to visit the MALEs Regional Pages.
For more information on any of the information click here to Contact Us
