ALL Genders Invited To Awaken the Healthy Masculine
Healthy Masculine circles are rooted in sharing, deep listening, and skillful reflection.
James facilitates circles (online due to covid) to explore the Healthy Masculine, providing an opportunity for people of all genders to share, be seen, and to offer each other witnessing and learning. Participants explore the many meanings of "the Healthy Masculine" and honour one another's experiences in order to harness a positive masculine presence in our families, friendships, and communities.
Supporting Responsive and Effective Societies
I have witnessed plenty of destructive immature masculine energy in my life, international politics, and my community development career; it is time to call in, remember, and co-mentor what the Healthy Masculine provides in our society. I hold a non-gendered conversation about "masculinity", recognizing that "masculine" qualities are embodied by all genders. It is not a "male vs. female" conversation, but one that explores the masculine aspects of being human. These circles contribute to a cultural shift away from "right/wrong" or "good/bad" ways of 'acting' masculine, towards a balanced way of being, moving into a more authentic, emotionally-connected and life-affirming masculine consciousness.
“This is an important time in human history: In order to address major social, environmental and political crisis, we are again being called to re-member, re-skill and co-mentor each other in our communities, by practicing how to live into our Healthy Masculine, supporting a reciprocal and nourishing relationship with the Healthy Feminine.”
By exploring and understanding how the immature / adolescent masculine – or the shadow side(s) of masculinity – show up in ourselves (and are often promoted in current societies), we can bring a balanced awareness to practice and integrate the healthy (or mature) sides of the masculine archetypes: Sovereign, Warrior, Magician, Lover. Once there, a deeper dive begins, as we contemplate what the Healthy Masculine awakens in the Healthy Feminine. These circles are not simply serving the masculine, they are supporting a reciprocal and nourishing relationship with the feminine.
Facilitation Structure
James holds all-gendered circles in a way that creates safety, trust, and vulnerability by:
Grounding in “Council” format;
Using "Compassionate Communication (NVC)";
Exploring ourselves and witnessing others through movement to embody the various masculine archetypes;
Centring around short summary readings and the "Map" from "The Four Archetypes of the Mature Masculine"
The readings are used to anchor the Circle, and tune-in to the personal explorations, and sharings in Council;
They are not held as "lessons", they are not "taught", nor are they "truth", they are simply an anchor for the Circle;
There are other archetype models, naming these 4 allows us to anchor the sharing circle as a starting point.
As Council Circle sharing is based on participants' own experiences and heart centered explorations – in a safe held format where vulnerability and trust are built into the structure – these Councils are not for offering advice, nor are they intended to be therapy; rather, they provide an opportunity to come together in community to witness, appreciate, and explore with one another the Healthy Masculine.
join a Healthy masculine CIRCLE to:
Learn about & discuss masculine archetypes, and their shadow sides;
Gain deep connection through sharing life stories & experiences;
Listen to and learn from each other's joys & difficulties;
Improve positive presence in families, friendships & communities.
Be willing to participate with fierce loving kindness for themselves and others.
Support a reciprocal nourishing relationship with the feminine — within a rare all-gender circle experience.
1-1 Mentoring
Through deep listening, reflection and movement, I hold a trusting 1-1 space for you to “sense & respond” to your inner Masculine. I invite awareness of your own Being/Doing, Giving/Receiving, Yin/Yang energies within you. With my training in “Council” and "Compassionate Communication (NVC)", I support you to find your own inner balance, while modelling the rooted energy of staying grounded, and the vital and expansive energy of being open and responsive to the emergent nature of life within your Masculine consciousness.
Methods of Exchange
Group Circles:
Introduction circle of 2.5 hours:
Suggested fee of £45.oo
Series of 4 circles covering 4 archetypes, 2.5 hours each:
Suggested fee of £220.oo
1-1 Mentoring:
£45-£75/hr sliding scale
Gift Exchange:
There are many ways we can support each other's wellbeing via monetary/non-monetary value, in both the short- and long-term.
No one turned away due to lack of funds.
Solidarity economy:
Additional contributions are gratefully accepted if you feel called to financially support James' offering of ongoing Healthy Masculine circles.
Testimonials — FROM PARTICIPANTS
“James is an extraordinary facilitator. Not only does he appreciate the fluid nature of gender, but he is committed to the continuing emergence of a healthier human community. Using archetypes that have been crafted across his/herstories, James’ course weaves models of humanity and ritual in careful balance to help participants honour their own experience and ritualize ”becoming” wholly human. This is no simple task! And I, a lifelong lesbian feminist, would never have registered for a program called “Healthy Masculine” (or “Healthy Feminine, for that matter). Yet, James’ approach honoured all of my all my borders, concerns and considerations. It invited me into a sacred space where listening and being witnessed mattered more than any stereotype. I highly recommend this course for those of you who are lesbian and feminist, particularly for those of us who have nephews, brothers and others in our lives for whom our understanding of “healthy” may inform the evolution of “masculine” in a new & non-gendered society. ”
“Awakening The Healthy Masculine is completely brilliant and has given me a sharp and reliable compass with which I can direct my personal development. I feel so lucky to have been in circle with such a beautiful bunch of beings with such interesting illuminating contributions. I’ve never witnessed anything like it in my life. Very special. I would urge anyone who is in two minds to let down their guard and open up to the healing power of vulnerability, as James’ facilitation so carefully allows.”
“ James’ facilitation in comforting, offering safety and awareness, while still offering the challenge to lean into vulnerable concepts. The weekly readings encourage participants to consider quality community engagement from themselves, and explores the idea that engaging with unhealthy forms of masculine expression is a learned behavior in us all.”
“I participated in this mixed gender council where we co-mentored each other within the conversation of The Healthy Masculine. This journey, facilitated by James, with clear communication, warmth and technical savviness! I felt safe and welcome here. We dived deeply into the realms of the masculine. We touched on where the feminine meets this, no matter the gender. I am so grateful to all participants of the (international) council for all that was shared and witnessed. This journey came at the right time for me on a personal and professional level. It has been deeply nourishing for my own psyche and the relationships of my life. It is a map I seek to weave into the toolkit of resources I hold for working with people in nature, especially my expedition work with young males. As patriarchy and capitalism crumbles, I believe this is part of the big work, inner and outer, that the world needs at this time. I now have a deeper understanding of holding council as well as trust in the translation of this sacred ceremony to online medium. I encourage you to connect with James’ offering.”
“I had some serious doubts and fears going in to the Awakening Healthy Masculine course given that it was going to be Co-ed. I had preconceived opinions about “this is men’s work, and it should be men only”, but then I found myself signing up. I am so glad I followed through and got to experience both genders in the work. We all have masculine and feminine in us, no matter what gender we are. The exploration of the material and each other was rich, honest and deep, and I would encourage anyone drawn to the material, to jump in and find your own value, and your own place in the Circle. It is a great 5 weeks of safe container and honest unpacking and inquiry / exploration individually and as a group. James does a beautiful job as facilitator / lead and participant.”
