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Writing of the Week
from Wil
Poetry
Page -
A collection of
favorites and your contributions
Stories
Page -
Stories that offer
insight about ourselves
The Dark-fish Steering Committee Page
- Photo e-mail links to us.
The Dark-fish Gallery - Photos
of some past events and retreats.
Wil's Page
- A special message from Dr. Wil Smith.
Meetings & Events
Favorite Links -
A collection of other
resources related to Men's Work
Further Resources -
Our collection of
other groups and organizations doing Men's Work
Write Us - Send us your
comments and questions
A
message from
Robert Harrison
Soul Talk Writings by Wil Smith
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"Before this longing, I lived as serene as a fish."
...Roethke
| "Dark"
... as in depth of soul, that which is hidden or to be
explored and discovered, that which lives in the shadows and
is unknown or unknowable. "fish" ...
one of the most ancient creatures of the earth in story and
spiritual symbol.
"Men's"
... the masculine gender of the species.
"Council" ...
those who come together to be in community with others,
experience a sense of belonging and explore self in
relationship to each other, the world, and a meaningful
purpose in our lives. |
In 1991, a group of men began gathering monthly,
in a place of serenity, creating community, exploring men's
issues, speaking to each other from the wisdom of personal
experiences. We are all ages, and walks of life, our community is simply being
male. We honor each man's individuality.
Referred to as The Mythopoetic Men's
Movement which is a freewheeling exploration of male spirituality and
male psychology. It encourages men to delve into their psyches by
reintroducing them to literature, mythology and art.
Our work is inwardly directed, encouraging men to find and follow
their individual path, that personal myth or mission that will
give meaning and form to their lives.
Dr. Wilbur I. Smith, a Clinical
Psychotherapist who has practiced Individual, Group, Marriage and
Family Counseling for 37 years, has embraced the men's
movement with a passion. He feeds our souls with poetry and music.
He participates as a man. In 1999 we regrouped as a closed council to allow
for deeper spiritual work within our core group of men.
Stories are told... ancient ones, and our own
stories... and we remember our wounded-ness. We get in touch with
old ways of healing in the masculine path. In silence we remember
choices that led us to this place, this space, this behavior,
these feelings, and these ways of being Selves.
We meet for soul work through poetry, in drumming, in
sharing, in the joy of just being... without expectations or
judgment. We use drums and percussion instruments of all styles and origin, to
call us together as men, releasing our tensions, finding the inner self that
longs to be free, to be wild, to be part of community. African Jimbes and
Congas, Native American hand drums, bongos, cow bells, and even simple wooden sticks
are combined to create an unstructured threshold forming a bridge between
ordinary space and time to the serenity of a space safe enough or sacred enough
for our sharing.
We are a non political and
non-sectarian, not for profit organization. Those who can, bring
drums, poetry, stories, ... others simply bring themselves. We
come to be ourselves, celebrate masculinity,
find support and understanding.
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