Becoming an Initiated Man on the Men's Rites of Passage is the start of your Journey of Illumination.  The Journey of Illumination challenges you to show up and pay attention daily to the need to overcome the weight of your routine in order to realise a full, intense and well-grounded spiritual journey. Doing so is not easy, but it does involve clear elements:

• Show up and observe (Centring)

• Show up and get together (Gathering)

• Show up and share (Connecting)

• Show up and let go (Releasing)

• Show up and act (Serving)

By choosing to participate, you will enrich and enliven your existing spiritual practices, and create or restore balance in each step of your journey through a commitment to do the work that is the essence of spiritual discipline. What drives this process is accountability, both to yourself and others.

As the product of the collective efforts and consciousness of hundreds of initiated men, the Journey of Illumination awakens men to two essential challenges of the Journey—to choose a specific action (show up) and to be present (pay attention) in the body, the heart, and the mind. 

Your personal investment in yourself and in the process is very important so that a group of elders can be raised up who live the values of Men As Learners and Elders and are not just into “joining” or “attending.” While much of the “work” will be on your own, we will walk together in preparation.

We trust that many of you have already begun incorporating these disciplines into your spiritual journey. This is indeed an exciting time and we trust that the Spirit has much to teach us and lead us into. Thank you for your willingness and openness. 

Here in the UK we aim to support men on their Journey of Illumination through mentoring, local small groups and specific events each year.

To find out about a group in your area, or for help in starting your own group then contact Roger Ellis

To request a mentor, or for any other JOI queries, contact Dave Bingham