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Men’s Wisdom Council, Massachusetts
August 27, 2020 - August 31, 2020
Guided by: Sparrow Hart, Dan Roden, Noah (Noble) Chute, and Sebastien Butterfly
Please share information about this week with a friend or someone who would benefit.
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Men’s Program Men’s Wisdom Council, MA
$750.00
The World Needs Men Who are Fully Alive!!
Welcome. Come and join us as we celebrate the 26th year of men gathering to learn, grow, and challenge themselves together! For over two decades men have journeyed to western New England to renew themselves and drink from the rich waters of the male spirit, drawing sustenance from the deep emotions and passionate spirituality that take root and flower in this extraordinary environment.
The ills and issues of modern men are not just a result of problems in one’s psychological history or daily life — work, relationships, money, or bad parenting. They are part of a mythic dismemberment, being cut off from the great cycles and stories that have guided humanity through the millennia. Each year we use one of those profound stories — The Grail; Water of Life; the Garden of Eden; Wizard of Oz — to dive into our griefs, gifts, hurts and healing within the context of connection to the earth, elements, animals, ancestors… the great movements in the larger web of life. This year we’ll do so again, unpacking our relationships with Father, Mother, Nature, and God to come closer to that dream we’re meant to live.
Through this reconnection to something larger our healing takes place, for it’s only within our modern, unexamined myths of individualism, isolation, and disconnection — from the feminine; from our bodies, feelings, and dreams; from nature and the earth — that the ills and issues of modern men take root and play out. We come, committed to breaking open that box whose walls separate us from ourselves and each other.
Our community creates nurturing yet provocative processes for us to unmask and unburden ourselves, face our fears, speak our truths, and heal from wounds carried for decades. Among us, we’ve faced death, battled depression, been through divorce and dating. We’ve lost jobs, love, and hope and then found reasons and resources to be happy again. Children, cancer, partners, parents — someone here shares your struggle or has found a solution outside the box.
Watch the “Out of Our Heads” trailer recorded at the 2012 Men’s Wisdom Council
The Men’s Wisdom Circle invites men to open the door to all they have forgotten and connect with a larger, sacred story. For thousands of years, men have gathered together — told stories, faced danger, hunted, and done what must be done to protect and serve what we’ve loved. Together we’ve celebrated the joys and grieved the losses that came with these tasks.
Today, our greatest dangers are not “out there” anymore. The frightening darkness lies inside the human soul. But the need for courage, mythic guidance, and good companionship is no less than ever. MWC invites men to reclaim our potential to be heroic. Some who come here find their way from the head to the heart and are shocked — even stunned — by the richness of their inner life as ritual, breathwork, community, and communion bring them face to face with a self far larger than the self they thought they knew. Their stories brim with passion, playfulness, or power. Others find friendship, the excitement, and exuberance they felt as children, or the commitment to follow a dream worth living.
We invite you to come join us for a week of wonder and wildness, a week you won’t forget. This year, in a smaller and more intimate setting, we’ll explore the themes inherent in a classic myth or legend to illustrate the need for initiation into the brotherhood of men. In these classic stories, our hero must leave behind all that’s expected and prescribed to follow the lure of what’s wild and natural… a necessary journey to discover his unique and authentic self… and to claim a path that’s powerful and a purpose large enough for his soul.
Directions
- From Boston, Eastern Massachusetts: Take Route 2 West to Charlemont, MA. Then, take Route 8A South 6 miles to West Hill Road. Turn Right and continue up the hill for one mile.
- From Hartford, Most of Connecticut: Take I-91 to Route 2 in Greenfield, MA (Exit 26). Then take Route 2 west to Charlemont, MA. Next, take Route 8A south 6 miles to West Hill Road. Turn right and continue up the hill for one mile.
- From New York City: Drive to Hartford, Connecticut, then follow directions above.
Note: From Northampton, Hartford or New York City, you may be able to save a few minutes by taking back roads as shown on the map above. More turns are involved, and the roads may be less well maintained in winter weather.
Beware! Some computer map programs or GPS devices will suggest routes that involve roads which have been closed for decades! Refer to this map
Also – The last mile is very steep. Cell phones don’t work as you get closer to Stump Sprouts.
Food and Lodging
Food:
Our meal times will be somewhat flexible to accommodate the timing of the various exercises and activities, but in general we will have dinner in the evenings around 6:30 or 7:00… Mornings — coffee/tea/light snack will be out early, with breakfast around 8:00. Lunch will be something simple – bread, cold cuts, condiments to make sandwiches, etc. Snacks will be available most times.
Our kitchen organizer and we’ll create a schedule whereby everyone will contribute to the preparation and clean-up.
Lodging:
The week takes place at Stumpsprouts Retreat c Center – www.stumpsprouts.com in Hawley, MA.
The Stumpsprouts Guest Lodge:
Hand-built and furnished almost entirely with wood harvested from our land, the Lodge has seven guest rooms, a large living room and a complete kitchen and dining room. Everywhere there are large windows taking in the magnificent view. Lofts, cozy nooks, art work, plants, and a fireplace.
Not exactly a hotel, motel or B&B, this place is in a unique category of its own. In keeping with our simple philosophy, overnight guests share bathrooms and bring their own sleeping bags, sheets and blankets, pillows, & towels (we do have a limited number of sets for rent if you cannot do this for some reason).
All rooms have a double bed in them and most have a single or bunk bed as well. Rooms are decorated with original art, barn board, old farm implements, etc.
The lodge has 20+ beds, and if that’s not enough, the west end of the farmhouse across the street has a separate entrance with three additional bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room and screened porch. Camping on the land is also an option. Limited wireless internet available via satellite at no charge.
What to Bring
Bring clothing appropriate to the season (summer) and weather. We will be spending some time outdoors each day, so it’s important to bring clothing that will keep you comfortable.
Stumpsprouts provides beds with a mattress and bottom sheet, but you must bring a pillow and your own bedding. Most people bring a sleeping bag, but you can bring sheets and blankets if you prefer. Also bring whatever personal toiletries you require, a writing pad or journal, a pen or pencil, and whatever sacred or ritual objects are important to you. We will have a central altar to remind us of our connection to a Greater Story, and you can add your energetic presence to the space by bringing things that are significant to you.
Drums, rattles, and musical instruments are also encouraged. Part of reclaiming our lost selves is learning and expressing ourselves in ways that are outside of our habitual tendency to stay in our heads.
Clothes:
You should bring towels, toiletries, and comfortable clothing. In June we can expect warm temperatures during the day, but cool nights are possible.
- Boots: Light hiking and other footwear for sitting/relaxing time.
- Raincoat or poncho;
- Jacket
- Clothes for warm weather: Shorts, T-shirts, light shirt
- Something for your head: A bandana may be adequate, but if it is sunny (we hope), a hat which shades your face will be welcome.
- Clothes for cool weather: Hat, light jacket.
Other Equipment:
- Small day pack, flashlight
- Journal, pen or pencil.
- Water bottle.
Personal items:
- Toiletries – toothbrush, paste, floss, biodegradable soap, hairbrush, towel, washcloth, razor, etc. Sunscreen, sunglasses, Chap Stick
- Bedding: sleeping bag or sheets and blankets; pillow
- Insect repellant
Optional items:
- Musical instrument
- Sacred or ritual objects
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