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MEET OTHER MEN COMMITTED TO BECOMING MORE AUTHENTIC, SPIRITUALLY GROUNDED, LOVING MEN
Illuman is a community of men supporting men on their continuous journey to a more authentic, loving, fully human life. We help each other heal our childhood, personality, and trauma-based wounds. Our experiences show us that the pain we do not transform we will transmit, so we seek a life changing spirituality, fed by the wisdom traditions of forgiveness and radical inclusivity.
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About • Richard Rohr • Journey of Illumination • Way of Council • Men’s Rites of Passage • Events • Support • Subscribe • Stories • Contact
The Ohio Chapter of Illuman
(We’re not always so formal, most people know us simply as Ohio Illuman.)
We're a community of men transforming other men through a power greater than our own.
The Ohio Chapter of Illuman is a community of men who support men in our life-long journey to: heal our wounds and trauma, deepen our spirituality, and grow as elders to become good ancestors.
We envision men working together to adopt and live from a healthy masculinity, becoming spiritually grounded, and from this posture better serving our families, other men and communities, the global human family, as well as the more than human world — that they all might live healthy, thriving lives.
We foster an environment where:
Men can speak without being judged or shamed
Men can both speak about their emotions and be emotional
Men can forge real and authentic relationships with other men
Men can discuss real life challenges of the different roles we play – husband/partner, father, grandfather, provider, businessman, worker etc.
Men who participate in our work receive support as they journey through life and face some of life’s toughest challenges and transitions. Our programs are centered in ritual experiences rather than in conceptual teachings. Illuman creates opportunities for men that we know they can’t find on their own or anywhere else.
Programs & Events
Illuman sponsors several events annually, including the Men’s Rites of Passage, the Elder Rites of Passage, and Awaken. At Ohio Illuman we encourage men to participate in these events. We also hold our own monthly councils throughout the state. These gatherings are part of what we call the Journey of Illumination which provides men with the opportunity to form bonds with other men in their community and to share life experiences in a supportive environment. Our gatherings are organized in the Way of Council which affirms the importance of listening and speaking from the heart within a circle of men. We also hold retreats and wanderings throughout the year to help engage men and further them in their spiritual journeys. You can learn more about our offerings on our events page.
Please continue reading to learn more about our organization. We hope you’ll be interested in joining us!
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM
Illuman is a global not for profit organization committed to supporting men who are seeking to deepen their spiritual lives. We are an organization that 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. In December 2012, Fr. Richard blessed Illuman as the organization approved to continue the work begun by M.A.L.Es, and the Men’s Rites of Passage.
“Men are asked to come with a willingness to participate from beginning to end and not as an observer. All participants begin at point zero with no agendas to live up to or down to. All that is required is for a man to come with a ‘beginner’s mind’ and the readiness of a young novice seeking wisdom. Ultimately, initiation, like life itself, is not a spectator’s sport.” - Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM
Journey of Illumination (JOI)
We are pleased to invite you into this Journey of Illumination, a process for continued spiritual growth and transformation of men.
Journey of Illumination Flyer
The Journey of Illumination is a five-fold process or practice, informed by rich spiritual tradition, that challenges you to show up and pay attention daily to the need to overcome the weight of your routine. The goal of this process is to realize a full, intense and well-grounded spiritual journey. Doing so is not easy, but it does involve clear elements:
→ Centering - We are men grounded in the power of the here and now.
→ Gathering - We are men who listen deeply to each other's stories.
→ Connecting - We are men who choose another to walk with - shoulder to shoulder.
→ Releasing - We are men who let go of the ways that no longer serve us.
→ Serving - We are men who honor the earth and serve the whole human community.
Way of Council
Illuman understands the Way of Council as a communal contemplative practice. It affirms the importance of listening and speaking from the heart within a circle of men. But it also recognizes the circle as being more than the sum of its parts. Illuman wants to be open to the mystery of the Spirit that arises within the wisdom and discernment of the Council. It recognizes that we run out of words in the presence of something larger than ourselves. This necessarily widens the circumference of the circle, extending our vision to a wider community to which we also have to listen.
Way of Council Flier
The Four Intentions of Council
Listen from the heart.
Speak from the heart.
Be spontaneous and authentic.
Be lean of expression.
Illuman has also embraced technology to develop virtual council circles as another opportunity to connect men on their spiritual journey. We encourage all men to join us in a virtual council circle and we invite you to learn more on our Virtual Council page.
Men's Rites of Passage
The Men’s Rite of Passage (MROP) is primarily designed for men in second-half of life (ages 30 – 65) and 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 participating in group prayer, major teachings on central masculine spirituality themes, quiet time for reflection, and sharing in the context of a home group.
Upcoming Councils and Other Events
Ohio Illuman holds and sponsors a variety of events throughout the year. These include monthly meetings, quarterly gatherings, wanderings in nature, and special events. Please check here often, or follow us on Facebook for the latest schedule of activities and events.
Featured Events
Show your support for Ohio Illuman!
The work of Ohio Illuman is possible only because of friends and supporters like you! Gifts of any amount are received gratefully and are tax-deductible in the United States to the extent allowed by the law.
Your support in all forms, including prayer, service, and money, is met with gratitude and a commitment to honor your gifts by using them well.
Stories
We regularly publish news stories and information with programs and resources for men on a spiritual journey. You can also subscribe to the Ohio Illuman Drumbeat to receive monthly updates via email.
Ohio Illuman Drumbeat
Contact Us
Illuman is a not for profit organization for men who are simply interested in becoming better, more authentic men. We welcome all men to our work without regard for your ethnicity, class, education, sexual orientation, religion or any other characteristic that might make you feel excluded.
If you would like to talk to us about being a part of Ohio Illuman or simply have a question, please get in touch by sending us a message below. Whether you’re looking to discuss an upcoming event or simply want to say hello, we’d love to hear from you!
Chuck Rihm,
The Ohio Chapter of Illuman, Convener
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Ohio Chapter of Illuman
PO Box 294
Medina, OH 44258
✎ info@ohioilluman.org
☎ (440) 503-8021
This inner child work is releasing dynamics and depths in my creative writing I've never seen before. As I continue to develop the stories and characters, it's a roller coaster of emotions from laughter to courage to sorrow.