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A FATHER FOR GENERATION ALPHA
A 9-week online offering for Fathers and soon-to-be Fathers
They say the Spirit works in mysterious ways. Indeed it’s true – she assembled a group of men from the Illuman Community in 2019, that worked together and designed a new nine-week online offering called: ‘A Father for Generation Alpha’.
This online community is designed to meet new Dad’s at a moment when life has initiated them into Fatherhood. In meetings of just one-hour each week, we will drop keys of Wisdom, starting with ‘What it means to be a Man’, moving to ‘Living in Relationships’ and then to ‘What it means to be a Father’. We end with an overview of Men’s groups that Dads may want to follow-up with.
If you are a new or soon-to-be Dad, then this group is for you! Or is there someone like this in your life that might be interested in our Journey together? Then share this with them and encourage them to join us!
Find more information at https://a-father-for-gen-alpha.net/
When asked for a few words of encouragement, a Dad who recently completed the Journey shared these words from his wife; “I’m sad it’s your last meeting! I hope you can find another nourishing group to meet with soon, because this was so good for you and us!”
The Fall 2023 session of A Father for Gen Alpha starts on Tuesday, August 29 and meets every Tuesday night from 9-10pm Eastern through Tuesday, October 24.
Click Here to Register
Send questions to: a.father.for.gen.alpha@gmail.com

The Way of Council is a central part of what Illuman does to promote healthier masculinity and “inner work that makes a difference in the world.” If you’ve ever participated in this practice, you’ve hopefully experienced good Council Stokers—i.e., the leaders who facilitate the Council practice.
While anyone can lead Council with some minimal resources (see the previous article), there’s an art to being an excellent Stoker. Developing this skill is easy to learn but requires practice, especially in getting out of your own way.
For those interested in going deeper into this core practice and developing this skill, we will be offering a six-session series on The Art of Being a Stoker beginning after the New Year. These 90-minute sessions will be offered on the first Saturday of each month at 9am Pacific/Noon Eastern. They will be led by Dave MacQuarrie, one of the original instigators of Illuman’s Virtual Councils.
The schedule is as follows:
- July 1, 2023 – Session One – The Intentions of Council
- August 5, 2023 – Session Two – Participant Roles
- September 2, 2023 – Session Three – Creating Sacred Space
- October 7, 2023 – Session Four – Themes and Prompts
- November 4, 2023 – Session Five – Managing Difficulties
- December 2, 2023 – Session Six – Loose Ends
All are welcome: the curious, first-timers, and repeaters. Even if you can’t make it to every session, it is okay to join the ones that you can. If interested, please contact Dave at dave.macq@icloud.com.

A FATHER FOR GENERATION ALPHA
A 9-week online offering for Fathers and soon-to-be Fathers
They say the Spirit works in mysterious ways. Indeed it’s true – she assembled a group of men from the Illuman Community in 2019, that worked together and designed a new nine-week online offering called: ‘A Father for Generation Alpha’.
This online community is designed to meet new Dad’s at a moment when life has initiated them into Fatherhood. In meetings of just one-hour each week, we will drop keys of Wisdom, starting with ‘What it means to be a Man’, moving to ‘Living in Relationships’ and then to ‘What it means to be a Father’. We end with an overview of Men’s groups that Dads may want to follow-up with.
If you are a new or soon-to-be Dad, then this group is for you! Or is there someone like this in your life that might be interested in our Journey together? Then share this with them and encourage them to join us!
Find more information at https://a-father-for-gen-alpha.net/
When asked for a few words of encouragement, a Dad who recently completed the Journey shared these words from his wife; “I’m sad it’s your last meeting! I hope you can find another nourishing group to meet with soon, because this was so good for you and us!”
The Fall 2023 session of A Father for Gen Alpha starts on Tuesday, August 29 and meets every Tuesday night from 9-10pm Eastern through Tuesday, October 24.
Click Here to Register
Send questions to: a.father.for.gen.alpha@gmail.com
Illuman of the Great Lakes is excited to announce a 9-week workshop beginning on Monday, October 16, 2023 (thru December 11, 2023). We’ll meet for 90 minutes every Monday evening to practice presence and learn together how we may more often experience peace and God’s spiritual presence in our lives.
During our weekly gathering we will have a short program going into more depth on each of the chapters in the Choosing Presence book. We will then break into smaller council groups with prompts for men to discuss and share their experience of practicing presence.
There is no obligation for men who register to participate in all nine sessions. We do ask that you join us as often as possible. One of the benefits of our workshops is the ability to meet multiple times with the same men in small council. This allows men to get to know and trust each other more deeply, and therefore the depth of sharing and spirituality increases.
Choosing Presence will be led by Mark Mehlos, Brian Mueller, and Chester Trocha. This retreat is sponsored by the member chapters of Illuman Great Lakes (IN/MI, IL, MN, OH, WI). This retreat will also include appearances from Choosing Presence author Jim Heaney.
Registration is open. The suggested price for this workshop will be $99, yet please know you can always choose to pay what you can afford (register for as little as $10). All registrants will receive a copy of the book mailed to them. For those outside of the United States, we welcome your participation but will be emailing you a PDF of the book instead of a printed copy.
PAYMENT NOTES • Registration payments are being processed by the Ohio Chapter of Illuman, Inc. • The payment form will read, “Donation.” This allows us to accept variable payment amounts. • If the fee is cost prohibitive, we still want you to join us, and will accept any registration amount of at least $10. On the other hand, if you can afford to make a donation beyond the registration fee, we encourage you to do so. Your generosity allows us to welcome those with fewer financial resources to our events. • Be sure to select the option to include your address so that we can mail you a copy of the book Choosing Presence.
You can get a head start on practicing presence by visiting ChoosingPresence.org.
Learn More and Register

A FATHER FOR GENERATION ALPHA
A 9-week online offering for Fathers and soon-to-be Fathers
They say the Spirit works in mysterious ways. Indeed it’s true – she assembled a group of men from the Illuman Community in 2019, that worked together and designed a new nine-week online offering called: ‘A Father for Generation Alpha’.
This online community is designed to meet new Dad’s at a moment when life has initiated them into Fatherhood. In meetings of just one-hour each week, we will drop keys of Wisdom, starting with ‘What it means to be a Man’, moving to ‘Living in Relationships’ and then to ‘What it means to be a Father’. We end with an overview of Men’s groups that Dads may want to follow-up with.
If you are a new or soon-to-be Dad, then this group is for you! Or is there someone like this in your life that might be interested in our Journey together? Then share this with them and encourage them to join us!
Find more information at https://a-father-for-gen-alpha.net/
When asked for a few words of encouragement, a Dad who recently completed the Journey shared these words from his wife; “I’m sad it’s your last meeting! I hope you can find another nourishing group to meet with soon, because this was so good for you and us!”
The Fall 2023 session of A Father for Gen Alpha starts on Tuesday, August 29 and meets every Tuesday night from 9-10pm Eastern through Tuesday, October 24.
Click Here to Register
Send questions to: a.father.for.gen.alpha@gmail.com

Virtual Council Host Training
Are you the Stoker or Council Carrier of your group? If so, how do you manage the Zoom technology in the background? If you are running larger groups (10+), it can get complicated.
It is the task of the Host to manage these details in the background while the Stoker is the person at the front of the House. Sometimes the Stoker does both.
Join us for a one-day event (Saturday, 2023 October 21st, 0900-1030 Pacific) for discussion and practice of some of the skills. There is some pre-reading (which will be made available) as well as some post-shadowing (with a skilled Host). It is assumed that you have some experience as a Stoker (or that you have attended the Illuman Stoker Training sessions).
If interested, contact Dave MacQuarrie at dave.macq@icloud.com for more details.
Illuman of the Great Lakes is excited to announce a 9-week workshop beginning on Monday, October 16, 2023 (thru December 11, 2023). We’ll meet for 90 minutes every Monday evening to practice presence and learn together how we may more often experience peace and God’s spiritual presence in our lives.
During our weekly gathering we will have a short program going into more depth on each of the chapters in the Choosing Presence book. We will then break into smaller council groups with prompts for men to discuss and share their experience of practicing presence.
There is no obligation for men who register to participate in all nine sessions. We do ask that you join us as often as possible. One of the benefits of our workshops is the ability to meet multiple times with the same men in small council. This allows men to get to know and trust each other more deeply, and therefore the depth of sharing and spirituality increases.
Choosing Presence will be led by Mark Mehlos, Brian Mueller, and Chester Trocha. This retreat is sponsored by the member chapters of Illuman Great Lakes (IN/MI, IL, MN, OH, WI). This retreat will also include appearances from Choosing Presence author Jim Heaney.
Registration is open. The suggested price for this workshop will be $99, yet please know you can always choose to pay what you can afford (register for as little as $10). All registrants will receive a copy of the book mailed to them. For those outside of the United States, we welcome your participation but will be emailing you a PDF of the book instead of a printed copy.
PAYMENT NOTES • Registration payments are being processed by the Ohio Chapter of Illuman, Inc. • The payment form will read, “Donation.” This allows us to accept variable payment amounts. • If the fee is cost prohibitive, we still want you to join us, and will accept any registration amount of at least $10. On the other hand, if you can afford to make a donation beyond the registration fee, we encourage you to do so. Your generosity allows us to welcome those with fewer financial resources to our events. • Be sure to select the option to include your address so that we can mail you a copy of the book Choosing Presence.
You can get a head start on practicing presence by visiting ChoosingPresence.org.
Learn More and Register

A FATHER FOR GENERATION ALPHA
A 9-week online offering for Fathers and soon-to-be Fathers
They say the Spirit works in mysterious ways. Indeed it’s true – she assembled a group of men from the Illuman Community in 2019, that worked together and designed a new nine-week online offering called: ‘A Father for Generation Alpha’.
This online community is designed to meet new Dad’s at a moment when life has initiated them into Fatherhood. In meetings of just one-hour each week, we will drop keys of Wisdom, starting with ‘What it means to be a Man’, moving to ‘Living in Relationships’ and then to ‘What it means to be a Father’. We end with an overview of Men’s groups that Dads may want to follow-up with.
If you are a new or soon-to-be Dad, then this group is for you! Or is there someone like this in your life that might be interested in our Journey together? Then share this with them and encourage them to join us!
Find more information at https://a-father-for-gen-alpha.net/
When asked for a few words of encouragement, a Dad who recently completed the Journey shared these words from his wife; “I’m sad it’s your last meeting! I hope you can find another nourishing group to meet with soon, because this was so good for you and us!”
The Fall 2023 session of A Father for Gen Alpha starts on Tuesday, August 29 and meets every Tuesday night from 9-10pm Eastern through Tuesday, October 24.
Click Here to Register
Send questions to: a.father.for.gen.alpha@gmail.com

Wilderness and the Awakening of Desire:
A Retreat for Men with Belden Lane
When: October 27, 2023 @ 4:30 pm – October 29, 2023 @ 1:00 pm
Where: Pilgrim Park Camp and Conference Center, 26449 1340 N Ave
Princeton IL 61356
Illuman of Illinois is excited and honored to welcome back Belden Lane, long time wisdom elder and master storyteller. Through his teachings and writings Belden has been a major influence on our men’s movement and he will share insights from his years of walking with the saints and exploring the great mystical traditions.
Deeply earthy and sensual in their yearning for union with the Divine, the mystics keep calling us back to a “Great Conversation” with the natural world, reconnecting our spiritual lives with the earth. In this late autumn retreat, we’ll be using story and poetry, wilderness hiking and contemplative practice in exploring how wild terrain can awaken our spiritual consciousness.
Come celebrate the changing of the seasons, practice soul work, and honor our relationships and journeys!
Cost: $195, includes two nights lodging and 6 meals; some partial scholarships available. Registration: https://illumanofillinois.eventbrite.com (closes October 25, 2023)
Belden Lane is a storyteller, wilderness backpacker, and Presbyterian minister who taught theology with the Jesuits at Saint Louis University for many years. He’s also been active in the work of Illuman, a gathering of men influenced by Fr. Richard Rohr. Belden has worked with the men of Illuman of Illinois several times. His books include The Solace of Fierce Landscapes, Backpacking with the Saints, and The Great Conversation: Nature and the Care of the Soul.
Click Here to Register
Illuman of the Great Lakes is excited to announce a 9-week workshop beginning on Monday, October 16, 2023 (thru December 11, 2023). We’ll meet for 90 minutes every Monday evening to practice presence and learn together how we may more often experience peace and God’s spiritual presence in our lives.
During our weekly gathering we will have a short program going into more depth on each of the chapters in the Choosing Presence book. We will then break into smaller council groups with prompts for men to discuss and share their experience of practicing presence.
There is no obligation for men who register to participate in all nine sessions. We do ask that you join us as often as possible. One of the benefits of our workshops is the ability to meet multiple times with the same men in small council. This allows men to get to know and trust each other more deeply, and therefore the depth of sharing and spirituality increases.
Choosing Presence will be led by Mark Mehlos, Brian Mueller, and Chester Trocha. This retreat is sponsored by the member chapters of Illuman Great Lakes (IN/MI, IL, MN, OH, WI). This retreat will also include appearances from Choosing Presence author Jim Heaney.
Registration is open. The suggested price for this workshop will be $99, yet please know you can always choose to pay what you can afford (register for as little as $10). All registrants will receive a copy of the book mailed to them. For those outside of the United States, we welcome your participation but will be emailing you a PDF of the book instead of a printed copy.
PAYMENT NOTES • Registration payments are being processed by the Ohio Chapter of Illuman, Inc. • The payment form will read, “Donation.” This allows us to accept variable payment amounts. • If the fee is cost prohibitive, we still want you to join us, and will accept any registration amount of at least $10. On the other hand, if you can afford to make a donation beyond the registration fee, we encourage you to do so. Your generosity allows us to welcome those with fewer financial resources to our events. • Be sure to select the option to include your address so that we can mail you a copy of the book Choosing Presence.
You can get a head start on practicing presence by visiting ChoosingPresence.org.
Learn More and Register

The Way of Council is a central part of what Illuman does to promote healthier masculinity and “inner work that makes a difference in the world.” If you’ve ever participated in this practice, you’ve hopefully experienced good Council Stokers—i.e., the leaders who facilitate the Council practice.
While anyone can lead Council with some minimal resources (see the previous article), there’s an art to being an excellent Stoker. Developing this skill is easy to learn but requires practice, especially in getting out of your own way.
For those interested in going deeper into this core practice and developing this skill, we will be offering a six-session series on The Art of Being a Stoker beginning after the New Year. These 90-minute sessions will be offered on the first Saturday of each month at 9am Pacific/Noon Eastern. They will be led by Dave MacQuarrie, one of the original instigators of Illuman’s Virtual Councils.
The schedule is as follows:
- July 1, 2023 – Session One – The Intentions of Council
- August 5, 2023 – Session Two – Participant Roles
- September 2, 2023 – Session Three – Creating Sacred Space
- October 7, 2023 – Session Four – Themes and Prompts
- November 4, 2023 – Session Five – Managing Difficulties
- December 2, 2023 – Session Six – Loose Ends
All are welcome: the curious, first-timers, and repeaters. Even if you can’t make it to every session, it is okay to join the ones that you can.
If interested, please contact Dave at dave.macq@icloud.com.

The Way of Council is a central part of what Illuman does to promote healthier masculinity and “inner work that makes a difference in the world.” If you’ve ever participated in this practice, you’ve hopefully experienced good Council Stokers—i.e., the leaders who facilitate the Council practice.
While anyone can lead Council with some minimal resources (see the previous article), there’s an art to being an excellent Stoker. Developing this skill is easy to learn but requires practice, especially in getting out of your own way.
For those interested in going deeper into this core practice and developing this skill, we will be offering a six-session series on The Art of Being a Stoker beginning after the New Year. These 90-minute sessions will be offered on the first Saturday of each month at 9am Pacific/Noon Eastern. They will be led by Dave MacQuarrie, one of the original instigators of Illuman’s Virtual Councils.
The schedule is as follows:
- July 1, 2023 – Session One – The Intentions of Council
- August 5, 2023 – Session Two – Participant Roles
- September 2, 2023 – Session Three – Creating Sacred Space
- October 7, 2023 – Session Four – Themes and Prompts
- November 4, 2023 – Session Five – Managing Difficulties
- December 2, 2023 – Session Six – Loose Ends
All are welcome: the curious, first-timers, and repeaters. Even if you can’t make it to every session, it is okay to join the ones that you can. If interested, please contact Dave at dave.macq@icloud.com.
Illuman of the Great Lakes is excited to announce a 9-week workshop beginning on Monday, October 16, 2023 (thru December 11, 2023). We’ll meet for 90 minutes every Monday evening to practice presence and learn together how we may more often experience peace and God’s spiritual presence in our lives.
During our weekly gathering we will have a short program going into more depth on each of the chapters in the Choosing Presence book. We will then break into smaller council groups with prompts for men to discuss and share their experience of practicing presence.
There is no obligation for men who register to participate in all nine sessions. We do ask that you join us as often as possible. One of the benefits of our workshops is the ability to meet multiple times with the same men in small council. This allows men to get to know and trust each other more deeply, and therefore the depth of sharing and spirituality increases.
Choosing Presence will be led by Mark Mehlos, Brian Mueller, and Chester Trocha. This retreat is sponsored by the member chapters of Illuman Great Lakes (IN/MI, IL, MN, OH, WI). This retreat will also include appearances from Choosing Presence author Jim Heaney.
Registration is open. The suggested price for this workshop will be $99, yet please know you can always choose to pay what you can afford (register for as little as $10). All registrants will receive a copy of the book mailed to them. For those outside of the United States, we welcome your participation but will be emailing you a PDF of the book instead of a printed copy.
PAYMENT NOTES • Registration payments are being processed by the Ohio Chapter of Illuman, Inc. • The payment form will read, “Donation.” This allows us to accept variable payment amounts. • If the fee is cost prohibitive, we still want you to join us, and will accept any registration amount of at least $10. On the other hand, if you can afford to make a donation beyond the registration fee, we encourage you to do so. Your generosity allows us to welcome those with fewer financial resources to our events. • Be sure to select the option to include your address so that we can mail you a copy of the book Choosing Presence.
You can get a head start on practicing presence by visiting ChoosingPresence.org.
Learn More and Register

In our middle years we become vulnerable to new doubts, anxieties, and moods. We may suddenly fall in love, break up a marriage, storm out of a job in desperation. We may begin to feel empty, trapped in a life that seems to be living us. These are “dangerous” moments, but they can set the stage for a whole new phase of development. It begins to dawn on us, if we pay attention, that something more is needed.
—Robert Johnson, Living Your Unlived Life
A new Illuman community, “47 – Navigating the Midlife Passage,” is being offered this November for men who are navigating this delicate time of midlife. We will use Norman Fischer’s work, Sailing Home, as our companion on the Journey, along with other Wisdom Guides, to help show us the way Home.
Chris, a participant in our trial run of the program this past spring, offered these words about it:
If you are looking for something that allows you to look at your life from a different perspective, I would invite you to this program. Taking a few steps back from your own story and detaching from the pain can be very helpful. In this program, you will find an alternative to the myth that “as a man, you must do it alone, and I have to make my own way.” I found that my story, while unique to me, is part of a bigger story, and I can rest in the comradery of fellow sailors who are living their journey as well. This program offers connection with new friends and soulmates of a different kind that I didn’t know I needed. I found a place of belonging and don’t feel as separate anymore.
Click here for more information and to register
The offering will begin on Tuesday, November 7th from 8:30 – 9:30 pm Eastern Time and continue for the next six Tuesdays at that same time, ending on December 19th. All meetings will be held via Zoom.
We’re looking forward to meeting you!
Send questions to: midlifetime.47@gmail.com
Illuman of the Great Lakes is excited to announce a 9-week workshop beginning on Monday, October 16, 2023 (thru December 11, 2023). We’ll meet for 90 minutes every Monday evening to practice presence and learn together how we may more often experience peace and God’s spiritual presence in our lives.
During our weekly gathering we will have a short program going into more depth on each of the chapters in the Choosing Presence book. We will then break into smaller council groups with prompts for men to discuss and share their experience of practicing presence.
There is no obligation for men who register to participate in all nine sessions. We do ask that you join us as often as possible. One of the benefits of our workshops is the ability to meet multiple times with the same men in small council. This allows men to get to know and trust each other more deeply, and therefore the depth of sharing and spirituality increases.
Choosing Presence will be led by Mark Mehlos, Brian Mueller, and Chester Trocha. This retreat is sponsored by the member chapters of Illuman Great Lakes (IN/MI, IL, MN, OH, WI). This retreat will also include appearances from Choosing Presence author Jim Heaney.
Registration is open. The suggested price for this workshop will be $99, yet please know you can always choose to pay what you can afford (register for as little as $10). All registrants will receive a copy of the book mailed to them. For those outside of the United States, we welcome your participation but will be emailing you a PDF of the book instead of a printed copy.
PAYMENT NOTES • Registration payments are being processed by the Ohio Chapter of Illuman, Inc. • The payment form will read, “Donation.” This allows us to accept variable payment amounts. • If the fee is cost prohibitive, we still want you to join us, and will accept any registration amount of at least $10. On the other hand, if you can afford to make a donation beyond the registration fee, we encourage you to do so. Your generosity allows us to welcome those with fewer financial resources to our events. • Be sure to select the option to include your address so that we can mail you a copy of the book Choosing Presence.
You can get a head start on practicing presence by visiting ChoosingPresence.org.
Learn More and Register

In our middle years we become vulnerable to new doubts, anxieties, and moods. We may suddenly fall in love, break up a marriage, storm out of a job in desperation. We may begin to feel empty, trapped in a life that seems to be living us. These are “dangerous” moments, but they can set the stage for a whole new phase of development. It begins to dawn on us, if we pay attention, that something more is needed.
—Robert Johnson, Living Your Unlived Life
A new Illuman community, “47 – Navigating the Midlife Passage,” is being offered this November for men who are navigating this delicate time of midlife. We will use Norman Fischer’s work, Sailing Home, as our companion on the Journey, along with other Wisdom Guides, to help show us the way Home.
Chris, a participant in our trial run of the program this past spring, offered these words about it:
If you are looking for something that allows you to look at your life from a different perspective, I would invite you to this program. Taking a few steps back from your own story and detaching from the pain can be very helpful. In this program, you will find an alternative to the myth that “as a man, you must do it alone, and I have to make my own way.” I found that my story, while unique to me, is part of a bigger story, and I can rest in the comradery of fellow sailors who are living their journey as well. This program offers connection with new friends and soulmates of a different kind that I didn’t know I needed. I found a place of belonging and don’t feel as separate anymore.
Click here for more information and to register
The offering will begin on Tuesday, November 7th from 8:30 – 9:30 pm Eastern Time and continue for the next six Tuesdays at that same time, ending on December 19th. All meetings will be held via Zoom.
We’re looking forward to meeting you!
Send questions to: midlifetime.47@gmail.com
Illuman of the Great Lakes is excited to announce a 9-week workshop beginning on Monday, October 16, 2023 (thru December 11, 2023). We’ll meet for 90 minutes every Monday evening to practice presence and learn together how we may more often experience peace and God’s spiritual presence in our lives.
During our weekly gathering we will have a short program going into more depth on each of the chapters in the Choosing Presence book. We will then break into smaller council groups with prompts for men to discuss and share their experience of practicing presence.
There is no obligation for men who register to participate in all nine sessions. We do ask that you join us as often as possible. One of the benefits of our workshops is the ability to meet multiple times with the same men in small council. This allows men to get to know and trust each other more deeply, and therefore the depth of sharing and spirituality increases.
Choosing Presence will be led by Mark Mehlos, Brian Mueller, and Chester Trocha. This retreat is sponsored by the member chapters of Illuman Great Lakes (IN/MI, IL, MN, OH, WI). This retreat will also include appearances from Choosing Presence author Jim Heaney.
Registration is open. The suggested price for this workshop will be $99, yet please know you can always choose to pay what you can afford (register for as little as $10). All registrants will receive a copy of the book mailed to them. For those outside of the United States, we welcome your participation but will be emailing you a PDF of the book instead of a printed copy.
PAYMENT NOTES • Registration payments are being processed by the Ohio Chapter of Illuman, Inc. • The payment form will read, “Donation.” This allows us to accept variable payment amounts. • If the fee is cost prohibitive, we still want you to join us, and will accept any registration amount of at least $10. On the other hand, if you can afford to make a donation beyond the registration fee, we encourage you to do so. Your generosity allows us to welcome those with fewer financial resources to our events. • Be sure to select the option to include your address so that we can mail you a copy of the book Choosing Presence.
You can get a head start on practicing presence by visiting ChoosingPresence.org.
Learn More and Register

In our middle years we become vulnerable to new doubts, anxieties, and moods. We may suddenly fall in love, break up a marriage, storm out of a job in desperation. We may begin to feel empty, trapped in a life that seems to be living us. These are “dangerous” moments, but they can set the stage for a whole new phase of development. It begins to dawn on us, if we pay attention, that something more is needed.
—Robert Johnson, Living Your Unlived Life
A new Illuman community, “47 – Navigating the Midlife Passage,” is being offered this November for men who are navigating this delicate time of midlife. We will use Norman Fischer’s work, Sailing Home, as our companion on the Journey, along with other Wisdom Guides, to help show us the way Home.
Chris, a participant in our trial run of the program this past spring, offered these words about it:
If you are looking for something that allows you to look at your life from a different perspective, I would invite you to this program. Taking a few steps back from your own story and detaching from the pain can be very helpful. In this program, you will find an alternative to the myth that “as a man, you must do it alone, and I have to make my own way.” I found that my story, while unique to me, is part of a bigger story, and I can rest in the comradery of fellow sailors who are living their journey as well. This program offers connection with new friends and soulmates of a different kind that I didn’t know I needed. I found a place of belonging and don’t feel as separate anymore.
Click here for more information and to register
The offering will begin on Tuesday, November 7th from 8:30 – 9:30 pm Eastern Time and continue for the next six Tuesdays at that same time, ending on December 19th. All meetings will be held via Zoom.
We’re looking forward to meeting you!
Send questions to: midlifetime.47@gmail.com
Illuman of the Great Lakes is excited to announce a 9-week workshop beginning on Monday, October 16, 2023 (thru December 11, 2023). We’ll meet for 90 minutes every Monday evening to practice presence and learn together how we may more often experience peace and God’s spiritual presence in our lives.
During our weekly gathering we will have a short program going into more depth on each of the chapters in the Choosing Presence book. We will then break into smaller council groups with prompts for men to discuss and share their experience of practicing presence.
There is no obligation for men who register to participate in all nine sessions. We do ask that you join us as often as possible. One of the benefits of our workshops is the ability to meet multiple times with the same men in small council. This allows men to get to know and trust each other more deeply, and therefore the depth of sharing and spirituality increases.
Choosing Presence will be led by Mark Mehlos, Brian Mueller, and Chester Trocha. This retreat is sponsored by the member chapters of Illuman Great Lakes (IN/MI, IL, MN, OH, WI). This retreat will also include appearances from Choosing Presence author Jim Heaney.
Registration is open. The suggested price for this workshop will be $99, yet please know you can always choose to pay what you can afford (register for as little as $10). All registrants will receive a copy of the book mailed to them. For those outside of the United States, we welcome your participation but will be emailing you a PDF of the book instead of a printed copy.
PAYMENT NOTES • Registration payments are being processed by the Ohio Chapter of Illuman, Inc. • The payment form will read, “Donation.” This allows us to accept variable payment amounts. • If the fee is cost prohibitive, we still want you to join us, and will accept any registration amount of at least $10. On the other hand, if you can afford to make a donation beyond the registration fee, we encourage you to do so. Your generosity allows us to welcome those with fewer financial resources to our events. • Be sure to select the option to include your address so that we can mail you a copy of the book Choosing Presence.
You can get a head start on practicing presence by visiting ChoosingPresence.org.
Learn More and Register

In our middle years we become vulnerable to new doubts, anxieties, and moods. We may suddenly fall in love, break up a marriage, storm out of a job in desperation. We may begin to feel empty, trapped in a life that seems to be living us. These are “dangerous” moments, but they can set the stage for a whole new phase of development. It begins to dawn on us, if we pay attention, that something more is needed.
—Robert Johnson, Living Your Unlived Life
A new Illuman community, “47 – Navigating the Midlife Passage,” is being offered this November for men who are navigating this delicate time of midlife. We will use Norman Fischer’s work, Sailing Home, as our companion on the Journey, along with other Wisdom Guides, to help show us the way Home.
Chris, a participant in our trial run of the program this past spring, offered these words about it:
If you are looking for something that allows you to look at your life from a different perspective, I would invite you to this program. Taking a few steps back from your own story and detaching from the pain can be very helpful. In this program, you will find an alternative to the myth that “as a man, you must do it alone, and I have to make my own way.” I found that my story, while unique to me, is part of a bigger story, and I can rest in the comradery of fellow sailors who are living their journey as well. This program offers connection with new friends and soulmates of a different kind that I didn’t know I needed. I found a place of belonging and don’t feel as separate anymore.
Click here for more information and to register
The offering will begin on Tuesday, November 7th from 8:30 – 9:30 pm Eastern Time and continue for the next six Tuesdays at that same time, ending on December 19th. All meetings will be held via Zoom.
We’re looking forward to meeting you!
Send questions to: midlifetime.47@gmail.com
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