Illuman NorCal presents
Elders At The Gate
December 2-4, 2022
Registration has closed
What: A Virtual Retreat Experience
When: December 2-4, 2022 - (Friday evening through Sunday at noon, Pacific time)
Where: Virtual (Zoom Meeting)
Who: All men over the age of 18 are welcome. No previous participation in men's work or Illuman necessary.
Cost: Sliding scale, $125.00 suggested donation. Men who were initiated at an MROP in 2022 are invited to participate free. No man will be turned away because of financial concerns.
Presented by Illuman NorCal , Elders at the Gate is a three-day virtual experience inviting men into deeper brotherhood with themselves, others, and the Spirit.
Utilizing story, image, ritual, and council, men are led, shoulder-to-shoulder, through a journey of self-exploration and understanding. Elders at the Gate brings men to the threshold of liminal space, a space where authentic sharing of one's life and story catalyzes spiritual transformation in themselves and others.
The event is truly a first of its kind in being created from the ground up through collective action from Illuman men in tandem with Spirit. Our time together will focus on our individual and collective explorations of the discernment, 'What is Ours to do?' Drawing from the communal wisdom and talents of the brotherhood, as well as video footage of Richard Rohr and other Illuman elders, free spaces for locating, and cultivating a greater understanding of your own answer to the topic will be offered. We gather to assist one another in traveling closer toward our True Self. No matter where you find yourself on your path, whether you are new to this work or have been in it for years, Elders at the Gate offers a welcoming home for You, all of you, to be seen, known, and loved.
Join us at the gate to begin our adventure together!
For any questions or concerns, please contact the event facilitator at
eldersatthegate@illumannorcal.org
A Note from the Facilitator:
Greetings brothers. When the lockdowns began, it became clear that Illuman would not be able to gather physically for our work for the foreseeable future. With heavy hearts, Illuman postponed the US 2020 and 2021 Men's Rites of Passage events. We wanted to offer some alternative for all of the men eager to connect in fellowship that had already signed up for Rites of Passage across the country. From there, brothers across the world got to work turning misfortune into opportunity by creating something truly unique; a new, virtual offering that brings the energy of the brotherhood right into the home.
We live in a time when folks have trouble listening to one another, making space, even just taking the time to see one another for who they are, where they are. The cacophony of daily life screams for our attention, caring little for the quieter voices that may be speaking the wisdom we need to hear. Elders at the Gate emphasizes creating a space to listen: listen to oneself, to each other and to the Spirit. We all have a story to tell. The Elders want to hear yours.
Come join the men in listening to the wisdom of the Larger boldly, intentionally and authentically. The time together is an invitation to open oneself to the bigger implications of Life: we are not separate, autonomous beings in the vacuum of our own routines and mental constructs, but connected, interdependent necessities in the flow of All That Is. We all have a place in the Larger, a beautiful place that reaches out to us in Grace. You are enough. You are loved. Your story matters.
We all need help along the way knowing if we are truly ready for the next step on the journey. Our ancestors and elders have always been the necessary touchstone to affirm our intuitions of the question, 'What is Ours to do?' Initiated or uninitiated, let us gather together to deepen our brotherhood through strengthening our relationship to ourselves, each other and the Spirit. The Elders are waiting. The Elders are waiting for you to show up.
In Appreciation and Love
Joe Gabaeff, Illuman NorCal Convener and Facilitator of Elders at the Gate