In the tumultuous ocean of time and toil there are islands of stillness, 
​where upon entering their harbor you reclaim your dignity. — Abraham Heschel

When a system is far from equilibrium small islands of coherence in a sea of chaos
have the capacity to lift the entire system to a higher order.
— Illya Prigogine

New Offerings

Sacred Odyssey: Ordeal and Opportunity Amid Ongoing Crises

With Terry Chapman and Carolyn Baker

10 Weeks—Virtual
September 14 - November 16
Monday Evenings 7:00 - 9:00 AM EST (US)

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​Integrative Leadership
for Men  ​
​(IL4M)
Living, Loving and Leading
​Through Disruption
Virtual & In-Person
(waiting list open)

​Allies in Practice
Working Together for a world that works for all, not just for some.
​Monthly-Virtual
​Meeting the first Wednesday of each month
8:00 - 9:30 PM  ET ( US) 
​

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Learn MOre

Preparing for
Cross-Racial Dialogue
Sponsored by Illuman DC
Held Virtually on ZOOM
3 Tuesday Evenings
July 28, August 4 & 11
Open to all Men
​

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We are a growing network of people who love to create and nurture strong communities that are 'harbors' or 'holding spaces' for people to experience resilience, wholeness, transformation, and hope in tumultuous times. Such holding spaces are needed so we learn how to respond to the challenges we are all facing with purposeful compassion and not react in contracting fear.   

​Ancient practices and emerging social technologies provide the structure of belonging needed to make transformation possible. On our journey together we will help you find your bearings on the tumultuous ocean of personal and systemic upheaval that we are all encountering.

From our perspective...

ALLIES: The journey into the emerging future is challenging. There are many pitfalls, detours and temptations along the path as well as many joyful discoveries. Together, we can thrive through these challenges, nurturing hope and deepening compassion. It is essential to know we are not alone. An ancient Celtic phrase, 'Anam Cara' meaning ‘soul friend’ describes the heart of the matter for us. Through our retreats, workshops, spiritual direction and coaching, we help you access the resources you need to thrive. You are not alone!

JOURNEY: We are all on a journey, awakening to something new that yearns to be born—in me—in us—in the world. And as we all sense, birthing is messy and stressful. That is why we need a field guide as well as allies, wise companions along the way, mid-wives whose skillful hands and loving presence help bring the new into the world and the world into the new. Love is on the move! ​

HOLDING SPACE: We are passionate about nurturing safe spaces in which we can gather, speak what is so for us and relate at deeper levels. We call them "harbors or holding spaces." We have found that there is a deep wisdom from within each one that surfaces in such spaces. It is through our collective intention and willingness to open our hearts and minds that we can walk alongside each other and as a community of allies. Whatever journey your are on, you will feel supported and encouraged in a space of acceptance, without feeling judged, without anyone trying to fix you or even trying to impact the outcome.

RESILIENCE: "...the capacity of a system, enterprise, or a person to maintain its core purpose and integrity in the face of dramatically changed circumstances." (Zolli, Andrew; Healy, Ann Marie (2012-07-10). Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back)

DISRUPTION: ​"Finance. Food. Fuel. Water shortage. Resource scarcity. Climate chaos. Mass poverty. Mass migration. Fundamentalism. Terrorism. Financial oligarchies. We have entered an Age of Disruption. Yet the possibility of profound personal, societal, and global renewal has never been more real. Now is our time." ​(Scharmer, C. Otto; Kaeufer, Katrin - Leading from the Emerging Future: ​From Ego-System to Eco-System Economies)

GOD: There is a saying in Buddhism, "Don't confuse the finger with the moon." There are many words used to help describe or point to the ineffable, that which is beyond words. We believe everything and everyone belongs to and exists in what we call God, the Sacred, Divine Reality, or the Universe Story. This Reality informs but remains distinct from the intrinsically limited lens through which we view it. When we confuse our particular lens, or perspective, with Divine Reality we begin to lose sight and start to bump into each other. This is the source of much suffering. You may use other words to point to that Reality that is beyond words. We welcome this diversity and playfulness.

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY HERE