WAY OF COUNCIL
What is the way of Council?
Bring your pain, strength, power, weakness, glory, blessings or whatever else it is that you are to address at this moment in life. Council is a place for you to tackle life head on, as awake and honest to what is your reality as you dare. It is also a place to practice a radical form of listening to others and to the Spirit.
The Four Intentions of Council
Listen from the heart.
Speak from the heart.
Be spontaneous and authentic.
Be lean of expression.
Our form of council is a communal contemplative practice where we do our inner work in a group. It isn’t a discussion group; it isn’t a place to debate ideas; it isn’t a place to get or give answers or advice; it isn’t a place to be held accountable by others. Council is a place uncommon to the rest of life where you are invited to put down the mantel(s) you carry, where you put down your many identities and roles you play, reconnect to Life itself, and sink deeper into your true self, using a variety of practices that have stood the test of time and come to us from wisdom traditions around the world. A large part of this practice is telling our own stories.
A hunting party
Sometimes has a greater chance
Of flushing love and God
Out into the open
Than a warrior
All alone.
-Hafiz
Council in Depth
Council is structured in such a way that meets the needs of the group. Grounded time in quiet contemplation, reflective readings or poetry, and deepening our connections with open-ended prompts leads those present into new expressions of friendship.
A typical format for a Council might look like the following:
Welcome & Opening Reflection
Quiet Contemplation
Reading of Council Practice Intentions
Sharing of Significant Life Events
Introduction of Council Theme
Dedications
Sharing in Response to Prompts
Intentions
Closing Sharing
Illuman of Illinois practices radical inclusivity, and welcome all men, regardless of religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status or anything else that may divide.
In-person councils gather in several places in Illinois and we are hoping to continue to expand these options as new groups form. Please contact our co-conveners to get involved.
in-Person councils
These are the current Illuman Illinois council groups:
Wilmette Council (IL)
Who: Bill
When: Meets monthly
Where: Contact Bill
Forest Park Council (IL)
Who: Bart
When: Meets monthly
Where: Contact Bart
Darien Council (IL)
Who: Bart
When: Meets monthly
Where: Contact Bart
Madison Council (WI)
Who: Keith
When: Meets monthly
Where: contact Keith
SE Wisconsin Council (WI)
Who: Gary
When: Meets monthly
Where: contact Gary
Emerging Council
Please contact Bart if you are interested in starting a Council with Leadership training.