Who are we?
We are a non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian, tax exempt, men's
organization with a threefold mission. Our global statement of
purpose is:
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"We are an order of men called to
reclaim the sacred masculine for our time through initiation, training
and action in the world."
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What
does this mean?
The Sacred Masculine: In our culture, every era had
it's popular male traits. The 50's man was aggressive, liked
sports, never cried, and always provided. In the 90's, the
"sensitive" man has become popular, one who shares child care, is
devoid of gender bias, and in touch with his feminine side.
However these popular visions of manhood
lose sight of both the life giving and protecting, and the destructive
facets
of manhood. The sacred masculine acknowledges both
aspects of
a man's character. It provides a model for men to generate and
maintain
a world in such a way as to include and yet rise above one's own
issues,
for the betterment of one's self, one's family, tribe, nation, and
race.
Initiation: Initiation is a rite where one faces
who he is and is welcomed into a new paradigm. The New Warrior
Network has initiated over 12,000 men in it's twelve year history
through 20 regional centers
in the US, Canada, and England. New Warrior is now expanding to
other continents and cultures making it possible for men all over the
world to
evoke a universal form of masculine initiation.
Training: We have trained hundreds of our
brothers in advanced leadership, facilitation, group dynamics, and
other skills which they
now use in the training and mentoring of other men. New Warriors
are often leaders in men's work such as men's councils, men's
conferences,
men's studies at colleges and universities. In this sense, we are
training men in our culture to imagine, teach, and live out a healthier
form of masculinity.
Perhaps the most important contribution of the New Warrior is
the Integration Group, formed immediately after the weekend initiation,
with the mission of helping men integrate this new paradigm into their
daily lives. As a New Warrior, you will be given the opportunity
to participate in an
eight week Integration Group, composed of men from your training, and
led
by a team of New Warrior facilitators. In this group you will
learn
ritual, group leadership, and skills for facilitating men's emotional
work. Most Integration Groups remain in being for many months or
years, and
create for members a close-knit community of men who support and
challenge
one another to be men and live lives of mission.
Action in the World: The sacred masculine
model calls for men to have a vision of the world in which they wish to
live, and to form around that vision a mission which will help bring
their vision to reality. Each man may have his own personal
mission statement. In New Warrior Integration Groups, men hold
each other accountable for living their mission. Integration
Groups often have their own external missions of service, such as
working with men who have been convicted of abuse, mentoring inner city
youth, tutoring, prison work, park clean ups, sponsoring regional men's
conferences, establishing father-daughter and father-son weekends, and
giving
talks to service clubs, churches, and synagogues.
Order of Men: An order implies an over-arching,
historical objective aimed at a change in the entire culture. In
our case,
the aim is a worldwide shift in how masculinity is defined and acted
out
by men, regardless of race, religion, or economics. We are not a
religion. We are not a front for any specific spirituality or
organization. Simply, we feel called by history to reclaim the
sacred masculine.
We are not the answer or the order. We are an
answer and an order. We are one of many
groups making a contribution to the future through dedicated service to
men. Our viewpoint is that only when we see the sacred essence of
our manhood will the way be open for men to reclaim our rightful role
as guardians and stewards of this earth paradise entrusted to us by the
higher power.
How
did New Warrior get started?
Three men co-founded New Warrior in 1984. Rich Tosi, a former
Marine Corps officer and corporate executive; Bill Kauth, a
psychotherapist and social activist; and Ron Herring, Ph.D., a clinical
psychologist and educator who had designed intensive accelerated
learning events. These three men sat down together to address the
question: "What needs to happen with men today?" Over time they
designed the weekend curriculum which became The New Warrior
Initiation Adventure weekend. They tested
it in Wisconsin and found its impact to be extraordinary. They
continue to refine the weekend experience and expanded it to other
parts of the
country, and then to other regions of the world.
My life is already working, why should I do the training?
If it is, Great! Men who take the training are not broken. They
are already succeeding in life. New Warrior brothers come from
all socio-economic backgrounds and professions, the list is
endless. The question for you may be, "Do I want to achieve a breakthrough
-
a quantum leap forward in my life?"
Will this training help me in my work/career?
While New Warrior is not a management training weekend, it does address
vital issues of leadership, vision, accountability, and
integrity. Because you become more clear and focused, you let go
of emotional beliefs and feelings that no longer serve you. You
will be enhanced as a man, better equipped to manage your life.
Your capacity for taking risks and leading others is also
enhanced. People follow someone who knows what he is about, and
where he is going.
What's the value of the training for my family life?
You will be far more in touch with your own feelings and more able
to experience and express a full range of emotions. Your capacity
to connect and relate to others will be enhanced. Your boundaries
are better defined and your self-image heightened. You will be
better equipped to open your heart, connect, relate to family members,
and allow yourself the gifts of vulnerability and trust.
Will the training change my relationships with my wife,
girlfriend, and other women in my life?
Probably. The impact is most often very positive. Most
women want men in their lives who are strong, yet have the capacity to
be compassionate and gentle. The training fosters both fierceness
and gentleness. You will get the opportunity to look at your
reliance
on women throughout your life and the positives and negatives of how
you
relate to women. Overall, you are likely to be more clear about
what you want from female relationships.
Does the training look at the role of the mother?
Men planning to attend the weekend often assume their big issues will
be around their fathers and other male figures. You will get to
look at how both parents shaped your development, and how your
relationship
with your mother growing up may be impacting your close relationships
with
women today.
I fear or hate men. So why come to this training?
A very good question. Many men, perhaps most, have good reasons
to be angry at the many men who have broken agreements with them, not
kept their word, not stood in integrity, and sold out on their highest
choices. The hard truth is that "like cures like". This
means that if we
have been hurt by a man, most often a man will be required as an agent
of our own healing. Most of us have distorted images of men -
either
demonizing men as total tyrants and villains, or idealizing them and
putting
them on unrealistic pedestals. You will see the common humanity
in
all men and begin to see the nature of manhood as it is.
Glorious,
and yet without illusion.
Why can't I get a course syllabus or outline before
the weekend?
If everything about the weekend were explained beforehand the mystery
and beauty of the experience would be gone. You would not
experience "your journey" as it is happening. Explaining the
concept of personal transformation is far different from the experience
of actually being in the cauldron of transformation.
How about, "I'll do it later . . . "
A "no" to now is still a "no". Which may be a metaphor for
putting your life on hold, rather than being in your life with
high intention and purpose. As men we are more often human doings
than human beings. We do do do! The New Warrior experience
invites a man to look at
his standing as a human being. As men, we are adept at ignoring
or
putting off handling our emotional lives. We assign that job to
mothers,
wives and girlfriends, and we are unhappy with how they handle the job
we
gave them. We encourage you to take charge of your own emotional
life,
to stand up for yourself, ask for what you need, and to make your own
choices as a man amongst men. Enroll now! Choose to be in
the training. Once you feel the commitment within you, the money
and time will be there.
I feel anxious, unsettled before attempting this. Why?
If so, this is a good sign. Initiation of men by men is a
powerful and deep experience which has been lost in our culture.
It involves risk and reward. The risk of truly facing yourself,
and the reward of having a safe container in which to achieve
that. The intuitive, creative part of you may sense a deep need
for initiation. Every
man requires this for mature masculinity.
Can I get a shorter, cheaper version of this initiation?
No. The training is what it is and stands on a twelve year
history of results and performance. Thousands of men have
validated the
impact and usefulness of the process we use. There is no free
lunch
in life. To achieve the breakthroughs men want, the initiatory
experience
requires the time and design we use. The cost of the New Warrior
Initiation Adventure is comparable to other transformational
weekends.
A better question may be, "Are you willing to invest time and money
in yourself?" Money is a symbol of the value men place on
things.
Are you not worth it? We encourage you to look closely at
your commitment to the being dimension of your life. If
you
are ready to invest in yourself now, we look forward to welcoming you
to
the next New Warrior Initiation Adventure.
How do I know if this is right for me?
We can't answer that question for you. However, if you want to
achieve breakthrough in your life, if you want to feel better about
yourself as a man, and feel more at ease around other men, if you want
to be able
to trust and connect with other men and relate with your own deepest
self,
you are probably ready to take on this training.
What are the age limitations of doing the Weekend?
You must be 18. The majority of men in our trainings are between
30 and 50. However, the training is valuable for younger and
older men. Men in late-mid life, or elders, have done the
training and received great value. Even men in their seventies
and eighties have received great value from the training.
Explain how you men are able to trust one another when most
men don't trust other men.
We are a spiritual community of men. The weekend experience
places a man in ritual time and space where profound transformation
happens. This experience of standing in "the outer world" creates
a common bond
of identity and shared purpose. Men of New Warrior are not naive
about men. We have a very deep awareness of what the shadow side
of men is capable of, but we are discerning about opening our hearts
with other men who have been through the same initiatory
experience. We have experience dealing with physical and sexual
abuse, suicide, and other severe traumas. The framework and
container of the weekend is strong enough to handle any life experience
a man has ever had. We welcome you.
Answers to Frequently Asked
Questions provided by
The ManKind Project Canada West.
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