Breaking Through My Own Resistance

I'd known of the Men's Rites of Passage for a number of years and always thought, "Some day, maybe I'll try that." That was my life--always saying "some day maybe I'll do this, or maybe I'll do that."

Then I did a men's weekend that really held a mirror up to my eyes and showed me how often I defer living my life to "some day." That men's weekend was powerful for me and I am still in a men's group that formed from that original weekend almost 8 years ago. I learned a lot about myself and I learned to take accountability for what I do or fail to do.

In the next year or so the notion of attending the Men's Rites of Passage kept coming to mind. I soon realized it was time to break through my own resistance, which, as it turned out, was more like walking through cobwebs than busting through a brick wall. My desire to go out into the wilderness to encounter the Living God had shown itself to be far greater than my petty fears.

And I made a commitment to myself to attend the next one available. I applied and was accepted. I read and prayed every day in preparation for the Rites. I prayed for the grace to have Beginner's Mind in the days leading up to leaving for the retreat, and I became aware that my nightly dreams were full and rich and my emotions were stirring.

It was clear something big was about to happen to me and I prepared to give myself over to the Rites--to stand defenseless before the God of All Creation. Deep in my heart, I am so very grateful that I responded to this call which I had ignored for so long. The original men's weekend had opened me up to my own human life as a man. The Men's Rites of Passage grounded that original experience in the ultimate truth of my deeper identity as a beloved son of God. If you are hearing a calling, I urge you to listen to your heart. Let your desires lead you to the wilderness.

Tom McGrath
Men’s Rites of Passage - Ghost Ranch, New Mexico 2003