ABOUT ILLUMAN
men transforming men through a power greater than ourselves
Illuman of BC, based in British Columbia, Canada, is a community where men connect to do their inner spiritual work to become healthier and more authentic human beings. We are non-denominational, interfaith and spiritually inclusive, welcoming all male-identified persons to our work without regard for your religion, race, ethnicity, class, education, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that might make you feel excluded.
Illuman emphasizes contemplative spiritual practices and unique ritual experiences more than conceptual teachings. Through story, image, nature, rhythm, and stillness, Illuman creates one-of-a-kind opportunities for men to explore what matters to them most.
Our programs and offerings provide men with an opportunity to do their inner work in the company of other men. We know that walking beside other like-minded men opens us up to personal healing, deeper connection with each other, and to a loving presence in the world.
In this community, you’ll find Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, other faiths and plenty none-of-the-aboves. Our community is made up of men who are left of this, right of that, wealthy, poor, young, old, elders, and elders yet-to-be. We are joined together on this quest to live rooted and loving lives of depth.
Awakening men to their belovedness so they might love the world
We are men transforming men through a power greater than ourselves.
We are seeking a life changing spirituality.
We are focused on inner work that makes a difference in the world.
We are fed by the wisdom traditions of forgiveness and radical inclusivity.
We recover traditional patterns of male initiation.
We affirm a masculine path to healing that reveals the true and false selves and honours the path of descent.
We do this through the power of nature, ritual, image, story and council.
Our Five Touchstones
This Journey of Illumination is one we take together involving five touchstones. For further information and resources, see the US Illuman National website here.
Centering
We are men grounded in the power of presence. We centre ourselves not to escape, but to return to the sacred hum of the web that holds us. We breathe with the Earth, with each other, and with the stories that brought us here.
Practices: centering prayer/meditation, mindful breathing, fasting, yoga/body work.
Gathering
We are men who recognize the need to gather and tend to the important things of life. We seek to do together what cannot be done alone. We gather across differences, knowing that meaning emerges in the friction, not the uniformity. We do not gather to fix. We gather to be with.
Practices: council groups, 12-step support groups, retreats.
Connecting
We are men who share deeply. We connect not to convince, but to witness. We journey together, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with friends, and listen deeply to each other’s stories. Our stories are not fortresses, they are fires. We warm others with them, not burn them.
Practices: soul brother check-in, elder check-in, work with a Spiritual Director, work with a Therapist.
Releasing
We are men who let go of the ways that no longer serve our planet, our neighbour, our families, and ourselves. We release the illusions of control, certainty and moral superiority. We let go so something wiser can take root.
Practices: Exercising forgiveness, journaling, shadow work, grief work, wandering retreats.
Serving
We are men who honour the earth and stand in solidarity with all that is in it, finding ways to serve our family, community, and the world. We serve not as saviours, but as soil. We act from care, not status; from humility, not hierarchy. We serve because we are already being served by life.
Practices: engage in a form of service that supports family, community, the planet, and/or your men’s spirituality work.