Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda, IL - Sunday, October 4, 2009

Why is there a spiritual connection for men and nature? Why is nature such a good teacher and even a healing presence for men? Over two hundred men gathered north of Chicago last October for a day-long spiritual program seeking these answers and more. The program was held at the Lakewood Forest Preserve, about 45 minutes north of Chicago, and provided a natural setting of prairie fields and 200 acres of woods with hiking trails. These trails started about 200 yards from the main ritual tent that was set up in a picnic grove for the event.

Men came from far and wide for the experiential day of teaching. Many men brought their friends and colleagues and some brought their sons. The program was equally divided between teachings, small group interaction, ritual, and guided reflection in nature.

The morning opened with a skit based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi performed by men from the local team. The key message of the skit was to help men connect with St. Francis' teachings about nature. Nearly 800 years ago, for example, St. Francis understood that nature can be a window into our own soul.

Richard Rohr's teachings focused on the theme of why men connect with God in nature and the archetype of the "wanderer." Richard advised that we should be "wanderers" on our own spiritual journeys. We don't need to know where we are going, but it is important to embrace taking the first steps. For men, Richard offered, it is often easier to find God in a natural setting than even in church or at a religious service because nature is experiential and raw, modalities men understand at a deep level.

Stephen Picha led the two guided reflection sessions for men to do in nature. His engaging exercises were based on the teachings of Bill Plotkin, author of Soulcraft. In Soulcraft, Plotkin serves as a spiritual trail guide for us with his description of how to journey deeply into nature and how this can heal our souls. [More on Soulcraft is available at http://www.animas.org/whatIsSoulcraft.htm]

"For me," Jack Moller, one of the participants, reflected, "The male energy of men getting together was powerful. I was also moved by the time in nature. I spent time just being present to a dead tree. The more time I spent there, the more I noticed how the dead tree was really about life. It was life for animals, insects and other things growing from it."

During the lunch session, men were encouraged to gather by geographic areas. "One younger man in our Southeastern Wisconsin group was so on fire about the Men and Nature teachings [that] he wanted to start a men’s spirituality group right away.  His passion was contagious and a new men’s group has been formed since the Men and Nature program," said Gary Meagher, a Milwaukee native and founder of the new men's group.

Gerry Aylward, one of the team members and a musician during the closing communion service, reported a profound experience during the time in nature. He shared with his small group, "I was amazed at how nature connected for me during the silent time in the woods. I felt a deep presence."

The day ended with a Eucharist led by Richard and accompanied by soulful music from Gary Daigle and other musicians who were part of the event team.

The event was hosted by Illinois Midwest Men As Learners and Elders and co-sponsored by M.A.L.Es, the men's spirituality program of the Center for Action and Contemplation. Spencer Foon, from the region's leadership team led a volunteer group of 20 initiated men who spent 8 months organizing and planning the day-long program.

Next up for the Illinois Midwest M.A.L.Es. Chapter is the convening of the Men's Rites of Passage from August 11-15, 2010. For information and registration, visit http://www.illinoismalespirituality.org/