Council Leadership Training Course

Learn how to gather and lead a small group of committed men.

We aren’t made to travel life's journey alone.

Growth happens in community. We grow where we feel supported, encouraged, and challenged by others—where we feel safe to be our true and vulnerable selves.

If you have ever wished for a circle of friends to journey with, and would like to start a men’s group of your own, you’re invited to Illuman’s Council Leadership Training Course.

What This Course Will Teach You

This course will teach you to lead a small group of men who are committed to walking the spiritual journey together through life’s ups and downs—brothers you can rely on through thick and thin. In leadership training, you will be given a tool box of spiritual practices and group bonding activities to turn your circle into a life-long community of friends. Central to these groups is the Way of Council, a communal contemplative practice based on listening and speaking from the heart. (Learn more about the Way of Council here.)

After your training

You may wish to start your own circle. We can help with this. Alternatively, if you are already part of an existing circle, this course will equip you to support and co-lead alongside your current facilitators, or refresh and expand your skills if you are already a leader.

Upcoming Council Training Courses

Section 1:
February 24, 26 & March 3

Online via Zoom
7:30-9:30 Eastern

Learn how to lead men in the practice of Council in this 3-session online course. Trainings will include both instruction and practice. It meets from 7:30-9:30 PM Eastern on:

  • Monday, February 24

  • Wednesday, February 26

  • Monday, March 3

Get Trained

Training Courses meet via Zoom two hours once a week for four weeks, as well as 1–2 additional one-hour Council practice sessions throughout the month.

Stay tuned for 2025 training sessions, so you can choose the dates that work best for you.

We don’t want finances to be a barrier to anyone, so we simply ask that you offer a donation of any amount based on the resources you have available and your desire to help this program flourish.

A donation of $60 will cover our costs, but if that is prohibitive, please give only what you can afford. If you have the means, we invite you to donate more than $60 to help those who need to pay less.

Suggested donation

2025 Dates

Coming soon—check back later!

 FAQs

  • The general outline of the course is as follows:

    • Session 1: Introduction to the Way of Council
      The purpose, intentions, and structure of Council; differences between in-person and Virtual Councils

    • Session 2: How to Facilitate Council
      The role of a Council facilitator; working with conflict; general troubleshooting

    • Session 3: More Practices for Journeying Together
      Additional spiritual practices and other group activities, beyond Council, to take your group deeper

    • Session 4: Getting Started
      Developing themes/prompts; how to recruit and manage your own circle and keep it going over the long haul

    Throughout the four weeks you will also be meeting with a small group of fellow participants to practice leading Council yourselves.

  • No, this course is open to all, even if you have no prior experience with Illuman.

  • Yes. Illuman is a nonprofit organization that focuses on masculine spirituality and men’s inner work. We welcome all male-identified persons.

  • Illuman is a non-denominational, interfaith, and spiritually inclusive organization that honors the wisdom and spiritual practices common to all faiths. We do not proselytize for any particular religion.

  • The Journey of Illumination is the name we give to a path of deep inner work and spiritual transformation that challenges us, every day, to show up, share and listen, walk with others, let go of the past, and serve others. Learn more here.

  • Council is a technique for facilitating small groups based on listening and speaking from the heart without cross-talk or advice giving. You can find out more about Illuman’s practice of Council here.

Virtual Way of Council - Training Sessions

We also host Virtual Council Training Sessions—an experiential program where men have an opportunity to learn the Illuman Way of Council from an experienced Council Carrier. These sessions will help men learn about the components of Council and aid them in their practice. The format of each session will include a brief teaching about Council, with questions and answers, and an opportunity to participate in Council with other men on the journey. Our goal is to expand the use of Council, as it is the cornerstone practice for the Journey of Illumination.

Check back in 2025 for information about our next set of Virtual Council Training sessions.