Way of Council

Illuman understands the Way of Council as a communal contemplative practice. It affirms the importance of listening and speaking from the heart within a circle of men. But it also recognizes the circle as being more than the sum of its parts. Illuman wants to be open to the mystery of the Spirit that arises within the wisdom and discernment of the Council. It recognizes that we run out of words in the presence of something larger than ourselves. This necessarily widens the circumference of the circle, extending our vision to a wider community to which we also have to listen.

Illuman has also embraced technology to develop virtual council circles as another opportunity to connect men on their spiritual journey. We encourage all men to join us in a virtual council circle and we invite you to learn more on our Virtual Council page.

The Way of Council is Illuman’s primary practice, implemented at all levels of our work, from rites of passage to chapter meetings, from our homes to our wider communities. We respect this enough to equip men to do it well, but we acknowledge that council emerges apart from our efforts to control it. Circles have an archetypal life of their own. Council is the best teacher of council.

If you would like to learn how to lead men in the practice of Council, Illuman offers regular Council Leadership Training Courses.