A great resource for men who want to start a men’s group – a book entitled “A Circle of Men”. Written by Bill Kauth, one of the founders of The ManKind Project. You can buy it at Amazon.

This is a great book that provides both format and content for a men’s group. Bill gives great detail on a number of processes that men can use to develop trust, respect and intimacy – three characteristics of a men’s group that I think are key to long-term success.

I’ve sat in one men’s group for the last six years; and two others for a couple years before that. A couple of important things from my perspective….
You need a format for the meeting – some ritual at the front end to call men to presence; and at the back end to release the energy of the circle. It’s nice to have some definition for what happens in between as well.
No one man should be considered a “leader”. Having a different man lead every week calls men to step outside their comfort zone, and access the leader within.

What’s really interesting about a mens group… when men speak from their hearts, they’re speaking from a place of vulnerability. Our society tends to equate vulnerability with weakness. But what I’ve found is that when a man is vulnerable with me…. when he shows me what’s eating him up, and how painful that is for him – my heart opens to that man, and I trust him like a brother. I don’t see weakness… I see true masculine power in authenticity and connection to one’s feelings.

I can honestly say that I’ve had more growth as a result of sitting in a men’s group for 8 years, than from any of the other (considerable) personal growth work I’ve done.

Jayson

I’d like to read this, please!