Online Programs
Deepen in connection with yourself, other men, and the needs of the world, no matter where you are.
Take the next step toward a more holistic, authentic masculinity—right where you are.
Whether Virtual Council Circles, Passion Circles, or Cohorts, or ongoing workshops and events, there are many ways to participate in the life of the Illuman community online.
Learn about our current Passion Circles and Cohorts below.
If you’re looking to join a Virtual Council Circle, visit our Council page for more information.
Passion Circles
Passion Circles are a type of Virtual Council that invite men to gather online and share more deeply in life. Passion Circles may be joined at any time by anyone.
See below for the various Passion Circles currently offered, and click on the images for more details on how to get involved.
There are two types of Passion Circles—one based on shared life experience, and the other based on shared interests.
Shared experience: We gather to connect about the roles we inhabit, or the seasons we’re in. In this, we support each other through life’s ups and downs. Who better to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with than other men who have known similar challenges?
Shared interest: Gather for collaborative learning around shared topics of interest. These circles provide an opportunity for deeper, mutual learning while preparing you for service in the world.
Passion Circles are self-organized, self-managed, and open to all men. If you would like to suggest or start a new Passion Circle, please contact us.
Passion Circle Programs
-
For men who are heading into, going through, or recovering from divorce, this council provides a confidential group to help men cope with, learn and heal from the trauma of divorce.
To join email dan.cornette@gmail.com
-
Trek through “Let Your Heartbreak Be Your Guide” by Adam Bucko with other brothers.
This book is a moving collection of reflections, stories, and practices from the life and experiences of Father Adam Bucko—an interreligious pioneer, new monastic leader, priest, spiritual director, and activist. These reflections are designed for every person trying to live at the intersection of contemplation and justice.
“I am deeply inspired by these words from Adam Bucko, a contemplative priest, mentor and friend to the poor. He is a trustworthy guide to discovering a spiritual life for our century and living in service of compassion and justice.”
—Richard Rohr
-
A council for those tasked with the unique role of spiritual leadership and caregiving.
Contact Chris Pritchett at cpritchett@mtopres.org if interested.
-
Spaces For Encounter
Christian Contemplative Wisdom
Encounter the profound teachings of the contemplatives, mystics, and prophets. Apply those teachings to your actual lives.
Drawing from material in the 2024 CAC Living School, Gene Rascon will introduce the approach and content in a council format, with an emphasis on accessibility and encounter.
-
Are you looking for an online 12 Step group? We have started an online Circle that serves all 12 Step groups (AA, NA, CA, Gamblers Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous etc). This group is based on the AA model and is open to all.
Occasionally we use the book Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr.
The group meets twice a week:
Fridays at 3pm Eastern (Dean is the leader) and
Mondays at 6pm Eastern (Tadd is the leader).
Zoom meeting ID
839 5194 1520
Passcode 237370Email forestlife@yahoo.com or taddmaffucci2008@gmail.com for questions.
-
These groups focuses on the inner work of anti-racism, using the book ‘Me and White Supremacy: Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor’ by Layla Saad as a guide for each session. Groups are self-directed and choose their own meeting times.
Fill out the form to indicate your interest in joining a group.
-
Do you desire a relationship in which you are loved unconditionally, to be loved as you are, no change required? Would you like to learn how to love in the same way? Marianne Williamson shows us how we can experience that which we all crave in her book ‘A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles.’
Email bevank@msn.com if interested in joining.
-
A Council group that supports men in their inner work to become an elder.
To join, contact Jim.Burns@illuman.org
-
Chaplains are invited to join an Illuman-inspired professional support circle to discuss, share, and otherwise connect with each other in love and care.
Utilizing the intentions of Council, but with opportunity for feedback and perspectives as desired, we gather to provide a safe environment for professional development, growth, and witnessing.
This Circle includes time for check-in as well as sharing of stories and/or complicated areas related to our work. Current, former and future chaplains of all stripes are welcome regardless of level of involvement in Illuman—the group is open to all persons.
Join us! We meet the 3rd Tuesday of every month via Zoom at 5 PM Pacific Time.
-
Formerly Rainbow Passion Circle, the LGBTQIA+ Passion Circle will gather on Third Monday of the Month at 5:00pm Central Time for Council Sharing and Supportive Conversation. We have intentional gathering time on the hour, spend some time in council, and end with engaged conversation with various leaders. We welcome men who identify on the Queer spectrum and men who love Queer identified folk in their lives.
Contact T Michael Rock: tmichaelrock@gmail.com
-
Open to anyone with an interest in conveying powerful personal stories, we explore topics key to our illuminative path. We are dedicated to building storytelling skills as we reflect on important moments in our lives.
Contact Tom Sparough at tsparough@gmail.com if interested in joining.
-
This group is for those who follow the Way of Jesus and are open to learning from other faith traditions and perennial wisdom figures to expand their growth and awareness.
Contact Gene Rascon at surfcityart@gmail.com if interested.
-
A council group for men struggling with pornography addiction (in any form). This group opens the door to recovery, reminding you that you are not alone.
New men are welcome to join at any time. For ongoing meeting times and Zoom links, email darkambush@thecouplecure.com
-
The Caregiver Council is intended for any man who is providing care for a spouse, child, or other loved one. We meet two times per month in a virtual council circle.
Contact Bob Strange at bstrangetx@gmail.com or Randy Rutland at Randy.Rutland1@gmail.com
Pursue your passion.
Join like-minded brothers today.
Illuman Cohorts
Illuman Cohorts are intensive programs for small groups of men to go deeper in their personal journey of spiritual growth and transformation—a process we call the Journey of Illumination. Cohorts are a small group of men who, over time, tend to a particular theme or course. They may help you prepare for your Men’s Rites of Passage, or integrate what you learned during that experience afterwards.
Cohorts are led by qualified facilitators and involve both online group work and conversation, as well as solo practices for life at home and in the more-than-human world. Cohorts typically meet for several months or up to one year. Most require an application to join, and while some are free, others may include a registration fee. Some cohorts involve occasional in-person events.
Click the boxes below for details about our current cohorts.
Cohort Programs
-
A Rewilding Journey of Wholeness and Self-Healing
Conducted Via Zoom
Howling at the Moon is an Illuman cohort experience for men who feel called to journey into a life of deep personal work that consists of: self-awareness; inner self-healing; the recovery of wholeness; connection with our deep archetypal selves; and awareness of various complexes. The ultimate aim here is to manifest the most life-giving relationship with self, others, and the world. Carl Jung called this process the ‘path to individuation.' Essentially, this is the life-long journey of becoming ‘who you were born to be.’
Please note: Howling at the Moon is on hiatus for 2025 and will resume in 2026.
-
This online community is designed to meet new dads 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 will 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? Then share this with them and encourage them to join us!
-
What is masculinity and the deep masculine?
How do I encounter my soul and the divine feminine?
What is the dream of the Earth asking of me?
We will live into these questions and more in a year-long apprenticeship in what Robert Bly called “The deep masculine.” Heavily influenced by the work of Bill Plotkin, Richard Rohr, Robert Bly, and Marion Woodman, we will explore the nature-based map of the human psyche as found in Bill Plotkin’s Wild Mind, with special attention to the West facet of the True Self and the divine feminine, through which we come in contact with the deep masculine. We will do this as we undertake the journey of descent into “soul canyon,” outlined in Plotkin’s latest book The Journey of Soul Initiation, and in hopes of encountering soul and the dream of the Earth through us.
-
This Illuman offering, “47–Navigating the Midlife Passage,” is for men who are navigating the delicate time of midlife. We will use Norman Fischer’s work, Sailing Home, as our companion on this journey, along with other wisdom guides, to help show us the way home.
47 is offered several times a year and meets virtually, typically on Tuesday evenings, for seven weeks. There is no cost to participate.
