Male and Female God created them
We were encouraged to enter small group conversation with the heart and not the head, and reminded that groups very rarely went “deeper” than the ethos with which they began. The idea of “Cell Memory” – the body-wide repository of accumulated feelings, was introduced. Sergio spoke of mourning as a process of owning our own feelings instead of projecting then outwards or suppressing them. The central idea of the “Father Wound” which marks so much of our Western civilasation was futher opened up.
We began exploring the idea that the Genesis account demonstrates that the image of God was expressed in the creation of male and female aspects. We touched on Rohrs idea that “all healthy spirituality will always have a truly ’sexual’ character to it, a desire for re-union”. (Rohr p 13)
In our small groups we were asked to talk about the masculine and feminine aspects of ourselves. This was deep work, and imbued with pain, the pain of life threatening illness, absent parents, the fear of chaos, but what was very encouraging was the level to which people accepted and were at home with their other-gender shadows. If anything, the men in the small group were more at home with their feminine sides than their masculine, and again, visa versa. For the most part, participants could only listen and hold the feelings released.
This post is part 2 in the series Richard Rohr “From wild man to wise man” with Sergio Milandri of relating.com. The session was held on the 2nd November 2009 at Sans Pareil, Hout Bay, South Africa.
Peter said
The “Wild man to wise man” series is held weekly in Hout Bay on Mondays at 7:45pm. Anyone is with an interest is welcome to attend. Have a look at the relating.com website and follow the links to “A Mentoring Journey with Richard Rohr and Sergio Milandri.”
Don Rogers said
I’m very impressed by what Rohr has to say. My friend, Ernie in Houston who leads a community of folks there has had Rohr there to speak to the group and has shared Rohr’s words on Ernie’s blog: http://www.lrchouston.com/
Nic Paton said
Thanks Don. I love the look of that fellowship, the evolution of LRC to Life Revealing Community from “Liberty Revival Church” says a lot.
What about you Don: are you in touch with the wild man?
Dom Hone said
Nic, well summarised, this blog is great, consider me a regular visitor.
Was another powerful and challenging session with Sergio on monday night. I am constantly challenged by living in the present moment, being aware of the spirit in others and my inner wild man state. Being real and authentic to my true self. I must confess I find it difficult, and as Sergio says it is because of our conditioning, we have not had mentors to show us the way.
Blessings Dom
nic paton said
Hey Dom – wonderful to have you here.
I find this so fascinating, to ask : what is your “wild man state”?
Dom Hone said
It is non conventional at heart in relation to the world expected norm. My experience of ‘wild man state’ is when I allow silence to enter my inner being, listen to that small still voice. There I am at home, I fell centred in my being, my true self.
nic paton said
Dom thats a “wild” thought, that wildness itself appears not in the mighty roar, but in the still place. I am going to be thinking about this for quite some time, so thanks a lot.
Dom Hone said
Nic, I would be interested to know what this means to you, after you have gone through your experiential thought process. I am constantly brought to this inner space to dwell for a period. A lot of the time I feel I am in a desert, nothing happening, no sense of safety, anxiety reigns. It seems as if at times there is no map, no navigational tool, no guide. Life is such a paradox. Blessings to you Nic…
Peter said
Hi, the recording of the Part 2 Monday meeting is now up on http://www.relating.com
Don Rogers said
I have always been a very emotional person. As a young man this was something I sought to suppress. But, in recent years, I feel at ease with my feminine side. I learned later in life that we have two aspects and sometimes they are both “near the surface”. The fact that I have a gay son has brought to my attention feminine/masculine aspects within all people whether they display them or not.
I am one of those men who never felt the need to dominate other people. However, in the classroom, this was a paradigm (domination) that seemed to be expected of a male instructor. Maybe that is why I never was at ease in that paradigm, in spite of my love of history. I feel that today, without an iota of that paradigm present in me, people see me as more genuine, compassionate, loving. I get strange looks sometime from my sons when I am exhibiting those qualities, but they seem to understand this life as I live it in the now.
Dom Hone said
Some comments from the people who attended this nights session:
“I need to create a more healthy, wholesome structures in daily life that will nurture my inner feminine creativity.” anno
” The group sessions help me grow, through the opportunity to share and learn.” anno
“The session was very insightful and honest.” anno
” I need to become more fully present in my body.” anno
“My feminine side is stronger than I thought.” anno
“I realise how much my parents and circumstances affected me.” anno
“I realise that people are a lot more whole than one would think.” anno
“I need to keep on my journey.” anno
“I realise my huge need for security and that i have to maintain it for myself.” anno
” I realise I need to expose the inner to allow healing and wholeness.”
“I need to practice to become more aware of my feminine and masculine sides.” anno