We help men get out of their heads and into their hearts.
To be more respectful of each other and to take ownership of their own behaviours.
To live and speak from their hearts.
Men with heart
Celebrating Men –
Their Images & Stories
for more info on what’s on and how to book click here
October 8 – 14
Waterside Pavilion, Mawson Place, Hobart
us on facebook
Celebrating Men, Their Images and Stories an Exhibition whose time has arrived, come along and celebrate With Us, please share this post.
At Waterside Pavillion, Mawson Place, Hobart Tues 9th Oct. to Sunday 14th October. Opening Wed 10 Oct 6pm.
Further info: tasmen.org.au ph or sms to 0423 353 752
Just love the positive male energy these young men display when they farewell their teacher
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz7DzheCeuQMr. John Adams Retires At assembly this morning we bid farewell to Mr. John Adams, the school Guidance Counsellor, who is retiring from teaching. Mr. Adams i...
Darvis's musings on the recent Sydney National Men's Gathering
Wild Walkers
Hey folks,
I’ve just returned from the National Australian Men’s gathering hosted just outside the township of Katoomba in the blue mountains. As always, I’m deeply touched and feel that the extraordinary principles that underpin these transformative events need to be shared and integrated.
Whats this got to do with Wild Walkers? Everything. Mens gatherings are the perfect manifestation of creating space in culture, space that allows us to be, the feel, to share, to laugh, to grieve. Such gatherings are literally
walking the wild (spaciousness) back into the world.
In the absence of a culture that prioritises this, its no surprise to me that men, or women who are challenged with anger end up doing crazy things. Perhaps they've had no training, no mentors, perhaps they see no options. Such emotional dysfunction is so often intergenerational, passed down over decades, perhaps centuries.
We all need safe space to share our lives, without it we bottle it all up. This is not a justification, this topic is extremely complex and requires careful examination of the conditions within our culture that lead to anyone, male or female perpetrating acts of violence. Therefore, its high time we start to get more more active with promoting safe space in culture. This is my bit.
Its no secret
For too long we’ve held to a cliché of secret men’s business. I reckon that’s rubbish, to be fair mostly this cliché is perpetuated by the stereotype of what men’s work is, which in my expereince is far different to the reality of what mens work is.
I think some distinction is needed here.
Confidentiality in these spaces is implied, no one will feel safe if theres not a strong commitment to this, but outside of that, theres nothing secretive about mens work for me.
Perhaps the amazing care and intimacy that occurs at a mens gathering is something that in the past men have been shy to talk about, hence theres a reclusivity around the work. I understand that, but today more than ever we need to broadcast our pride in these events..
For almost 20 years, these events have been the safest place in the world for me. Ultimately my take on mens work is this, that our world is so devoid of "held, safe space" that when we get it, we naturally thrive.
All we need is safe, confidential space to be held to enable us to explore ourselves in reflective way. Theres no need for degrees, certificates or any formal qualification in this arena and the proof is in the pudding. Thats a ferfy, such gatherings have been held for milennia with no "tickets" certifying credibility. Certainy compentancy, presence, empathy, confidentiality etc are qualaties that are required, but they don't require a degree.
99% of men at every gathering ive attended have departed arm in arm, full of love and ready to give their best back to their family, their community, the world and ultimately themselves.
We’re not there to fix each other, we're simply holding a space for each man to explore his life with support around him. By sitting in the presence of loving attentive listening, I feel validated, heard, seen, respected, understood, connected, grateful and loved. Its so simple.
Mens gatherings are a safe harbour, the specifics of each gathering may change, the processes may differ, but these things are peripheral to the heart of the work..Safe, held, sacred space.
I'm deeply proud of our mens culture here in Tasmania, for any man that wants to share in the riches of the Tasmen gathering, check out the website for details on next years gathering.
www.tasmen.org.au
Heres to safe space growing in the world
Darvis
Waiting times for Tasmanian colonoscopies increase to nearly six months
abc.net.au
As new figures reveal Tasmanians are waiting longer for colonoscopies, an advertising campaign is launched encouraging people to return bowel cancer test kits.Exploring Our Personal Boundaries. Is a workshop being offered by Lawrence at our Mid Year Gathering, Campbelltown, Sun? June 24,2018. tasmen.org.au/tasmen-mid-year-day-gathering
Lawrence, originally from the US, explored men's work with the Breakthrough Men’s Community in California. He is now a Launceston boy. He recently completed a humanities degree in Seattle and plays an active role in the Tasmen community. He talks about his workshop below:
Examining the container that holds our unique Self.
We are not born with boundaries. We need to learn them in order to fully develop and express who we are in the world. Good boundaries develop when, as children, all aspects of our realities are treated with respect by our caregivers, teachers and role models. Our bodies, thoughts and feelings are protected and respected. To the extent we were not protected, respected and guided, we need to do the work now. Doing this work as an adult can be difficult but very rewarding.
Lawrence will lead exercises and a discussion that is intended to allow us to consider the state of our boundaries and what we may want to change about them in order to better contain and express our unique Self.
Get along to our Day Gathering - Theme - Reframing the Journey. Sunday June 24 2018
Hanging out, sharing, reflecting, lunching, options for change. Programme Below: Register with Paddy email: - padriacmurray@gmail.com or phone/text 0427837830
Tasmen Midy Year Day Gathering
Sunday June 24 Campbelltown
Share lunch together, participate in mens circles and three special workshops, themed around Reframing the Journey
Location Scouts Hall Campbelltown map will be sent to registrants.
Cost $20 per person to cover costs of lunch and hall hire.
Start 10.00 am. Morning Tea
1015 - 10.45 Group check in
10.45 - 12.15 break into smaller groups. Topic - how it is for me now, challenges and wins
Lunch 12.15 - 1.00pm
1.00 - 2.45pm choose one of three workshops -
Ranald:- The father without and the father within, reframing the narrative.
Lawrence:- Building better boundaries, understanding and tuning our personal boundaries.
Paddy:- Adding more Joy and Beauty spices to our recipe for living.
2.45 -3.15pm Afternoon Tea reflection and checkout.
3.15 - 3.30pm clean up and leave.
Email, text or ring Paddy to register: email - padriacmurray@gmail.com mobile: 0427837830
A great portrait by Paul Hoelen at our recent gathering. On the right is Chuck, horticulturist. On the left is Lawrence masseur and philosopher. Lawrence was our gathering gatekeeper and Chuck a mens group facilitator.
Watching the space where men finally get a voice and support. So needed within our society. 🙏🌏🙏🏿Thankyou for stepping up and helping our beautiful men.
Their warm sparkling eyes say so much 💖
Eighty men, 27 for the first time turned up to our gathering last weekend. A great success, with lots of positive outcomes for all. Images below are from first night ceremony on a nearby hill
Bloody awesome guys your doing a great thing eh . Cathup when I'm back in Tassie. Cheers guys keep up the great work 😎
This is great I'm thrilled to read about your activities
Great work guys <3
Fantastic!
