
We exist to help men heal, connect, and find deeper purpose.
“Illuman invited me to live life beyond the one I'd rehearsed.”
—Paul, Washington
Our aim is to help men become wiser, freer, and more grounded, bringing healing to others and the world.
We do this by walking the Journey of Illumination together.
Our Mission
Illuman is a spiritual movement helping men deepen in connection with ourselves, others, and the needs of the world.
Our Vision
As men awaken, we participate in the flourishing of Earth. We long for a world in which all are living from our deepest selves. We foresee men walking a lifelong journey of inner work, being transformed through Spirit, a loving power greater than ourselves.
Our Practices
We live out our mission and vision through five essential practices: nature, ritual, image, story, and Council. We seek to form future generations of men who will restore these practices, building a world that celebrates the beauty of all beings.
At each gathering, we draw on the power of nature, story, ritual, image, and Council to support men on their spiritual journey. These practices aren’t magic, but have stood the test of time in many traditions, helping men realize a full, intense, and well-grounded presence in the world.
Our Values
Spirit-Led: We are men who wholeheartedly seek connection to a loving power greater than ourselves. This connection is the source of all our action, the place we turn to before we act.
Love: We are men expanding our capacity for compassion so that love guides our way.
Wholeness: We are men moving beyond the illusion of separateness and recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings.
Releasing: We are men relinquishing that which no longer serves us or the greater Earth community.
Wisdom: We are men learning that knowledge is not wisdom and moving our thinking mind into our heart’s service.
Radical Belonging: We are men who have experienced that separateness is a construction of the mind, which can be undone through inner work and outward action.

“The needs of the world are too great, the suffering and pain too extensive, the lures of the world too seductive for us to begin to change the world unless we are changed.”
—William Willimon, Bread and Wine
You Are Welcome Here
In a world that’s increasingly divided, we deeply value the wisdom principle of radical inclusivity. This spirit of welcome runs deep in everything we do, creating a profound sense of belonging for all. At Illuman, you’ll find men who are rich, poor, queer, straight, conservative, progressive, religious, agnostic, and everything in between—all breaking bread together, extending radical welcome to one another. What a scarce and needed thing in our world!

Illuman Offers:
Transformative Inner Work
Illuman provides opportunities to do the “inner work” of personal growth and spiritual transformation in the company of other men. We use rituals, story, contemplative practices, and a small-group framework known as the Way of Council to help men explore the things that matter most.
A Liberating Environment
In Illuman, men can speak without being judged or shamed. Men can express their emotions freely. Men can find healing from traumatized and unhealthy forms of masculinity. Men can rediscover their authentic selves.
Support & Brotherhood
Illuman invites men to discuss the real life challenges of the various roles they play: son, father, grandfather, partner, provider, nurturer, lover, friend, and more. Men support one another as they journey through life’s toughest challenges and transitions, forging deep and lasting friendships with other men.
Contemplative Spirituality
Illuman emphasizes contemplative spiritual practices and unique ritual experiences more than conceptual teachings. Through story, image, nature, rhythm, and stillness, Illuman creates one-of-a-kind opportunities for men to explore the deepest parts of their inner selves.
We are men transforming men through a power greater than ourselves.
We are seeking a life-changing spirituality.
We are focused on inner work that makes a difference in the world.
We are fed by the wisdom traditions of forgiveness and radical inclusivity.
We recover traditional patterns of male initiation.
We affirm a masculine path to healing that reveals the true and false selves and honors the path of descent.
We do this through the power of nature, ritual, image, story, and Council.
Are you ready to begin your Journey of Illumination?
FAQ
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Illuman is a nonprofit spiritual movement committed to supporting men on their journey of inner transformation. Rooted in contemplative practice and inspired by the teachings of Fr. Richard Rohr, we help men deepen their connection to self, others, the Divine, and the needs of the world.
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The Men’s Rites of Passage is Illuman’s signature five-day retreat. It’s an immersive experience that invites men into deeper self-awareness, soulful reflection, and connection with something greater than themselves. It is not a lecture or workshop—it’s a rite of initiation into a fuller, freer way of living. Learn more at /MROP
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No. Illuman is an inclusive, interfaith community. We honor many paths to the sacred, and men from a wide range of spiritual backgrounds (including none at all) are welcome.
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Illuman is for male-identified persons seeking greater wholeness, meaning, and connection. Whether you’re stepping into spiritual questions for the first time or continuing a lifelong journey, you are welcome here.
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Illuman is not a religion or church, nor are we affiliated with any single institution. We are a brotherhood of men who gather for contemplative practice, shared wisdom, and authentic inner work. Our gatherings take place in retreat centers, online, and in living rooms around the world.
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MROP includes ritual, teaching, silence, nature, prayer, and small group sharing. It’s a carefully held container (space) where men are invited to let go of old patterns and open to a more authentic version of themselves.
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There’s no perfect moment to begin. If you’re feeling a pull toward deeper questions or sensing a shift in your life’s direction, this may be the right time. Many men arrive with uncertainty, but leave with clarity and renewed purpose.
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MROP is not a test of stamina. You will be invited to show up wholeheartedly, but not pushed beyond your capacity. You will not be shamed, singled out, or put in unsafe situations. The experience is emotionally rich and best entered with an open mind and a willing heart.
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You are invited, not required, to share. In small Council Circles, men often speak from the heart, but only what feels right to them. You always have a choice.
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Yes. Many Illuman men come with complicated or painful spiritual histories. Our language honors the many ways people speak about the Divine, and our spaces are designed to be non-dogmatic, respectful, and safe.
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Event costs vary, depending on location, accommodations, and duration. Fees typically cover lodging, meals, and materials. You’ll find pricing on each event’s registration page.
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Yes. Most events offer sliding scale pricing or scholarship support. We never want financial limitations to be the reason a man can’t attend.
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Yes. We offer in-person retreats and events, as well as online programs, virtual Men’s Circles, and workshops. Whether you're near a local Chapter or connecting from afar, there’s a place for you. Get connected to our online community.
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A Men’s Circle is a small group of men who gather regularly to practice deep listening, honest sharing, and spiritual reflection. Some meet in person; others meet online. These are often the heart of a man’s ongoing Illuman journey.
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Council is a contemplative practice where men gather in a circle to speak from the heart and listen without fixing or judging. It’s both a method and a way of being—one that nurtures authenticity, trust, and deep connection.
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Yes. Many Chapters (groups based in different states or provinces) host open Council Circles or events where you can experience the Illuman community firsthand. We encourage you to connect in whatever way feels right.
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You don’t need any prior experience. Our facilitators are trained to welcome men of all backgrounds. Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to show up are all that’s required.
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No. There’s no obligation or membership requirement. Many men begin with a single event and choose to return. The door is always open.
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While many men begin with MROP, others enter through Men’s Circles or online gatherings. There’s no fixed path. Each offering supports your unique journey toward wholeness.
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After MROP, many men join a local or virtual Council Circle, attend additional retreats, or deepen their practice through the Initiator Program or Council Training. The journey continues in community.
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Yes. Illuman invites initiated men to return as part of our Initiator Program, holding space for others and going deeper into their own journey in the process.
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Yes. Many of our online Passion Circles and workshops focus on specific life stages or challenges, such as recovery, fatherhood, eldering, divorce, or midlife. You don’t have to navigate these alone.
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Yes. Our online offerings include themed circles for new fathers, men in midlife, those moving into eldership, and more. These spaces offer a connection around shared experience and wisdom.
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Absolutely. We host Youth and Young Men’s Rites of Passage and welcome men of all ages into our circles and communities. All generations bring needed wisdom.
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Yes. Illuman affirms the dignity and belovedness of all people. We offer LGBTQIA+ Passion Circles and strive to create inclusive spaces for every man’s story and identity.
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Yes. Most event pages include contact information for a local organizer or Chapter Convener. You’re welcome to reach out with questions or to speak with someone who’s been through the experience.
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While our work may be deeply healing, Illuman is not therapy. We offer a spiritual path grounded in ancient wisdom, ritual, and shared vulnerability. Our aim is not to fix, but to foster transformation through presence, connection, and inner work.
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Yes. Our Virtual Councils, online Passion Circles, and seasonal gatherings make it possible to be fully involved from anywhere in the world.
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Illuman was founded with the blessing of Fr. Richard Rohr, whose earlier work with men formed the basis for our Men’s Rites of Passage. While he is no longer directly involved, his teachings continue to inform our work.
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We believe that as men grow inwardly—cultivating self-awareness, compassion, and spiritual grounding—they are better able to serve the world around them. Inner work is not just personal. It’s the beginning of healing for families, communities, and the Earth.
