Council

“Illuman came to me in a time of crisis. As I sat in council with other men and cried, I felt an incredibly deep sense of belonging.”
—Arrus, Pennsylvania

Connect with others in your area or online.

Council

Life Together, More Deeply Lived

Council is the heartbeat of our work. From regular Council Circles to larger conferences and gatherings, we practice the Way of Council: a communal contemplative practice where men listen and are listened to. It’s woven into everything we do. 

The Way of Council

The Way of Council is Illuman’s primary practice, implemented at all levels of our work.

The 4 intentions of Council are:

  1. Listen from the heart

  2. Speak from the heart

  3. Be spontaneous and authentic

  4. Be lean of expression

This way shapes how we gather and interact. It’s both what we do, and a way of being that’s inextricable from who we are. 

The Way of Council is 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 wider 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. We recognize 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.

We equip men to facilitate Council through Council Leadership Training, but we acknowledge that the wisdom of council emerges apart from our efforts to control it. Council is the best teacher of council, and is perhaps best experienced to be understood.

About the Way of Council

Council Circles

Find a community of men living deeply, with intention, and with each other.

Illuman Men in a Council Circle

Every month, around the world, Illuman men gather in living rooms to share, contemplate, and seek. Rooted in the Way of Council described above, Council Circles offer grounded time in quiet contemplation, using reflective readings, poetry, open-ended prompts, and silence to deepen our connection to each other and the Divine.

To join a local Council Circle, reach out to your nearest Chapter Convener.

 FAQs About Council

  • A typical format for a Council might look like the following:

    1. Welcome & Centering

    2. Intro, Dedications & Check-in

    3. Sharing in Response to Prompts

    4. Harvesting 

    5. Closing

  • Yes. We typically break into smaller Councils of four to six men, so that everyone has plenty of time to respond and be present to one another.

    Bringing the practice of Council into one’s life is an amazing gift that facilitates deep connection. These Virtual Councils aren’t meant as a replacement for gathering face-to-face but as a supplement, especially for those for whom in-person gatherings are inaccessible.

    Wherever you are, you are welcome!

  • Yes! Visit our Online Programs page to learn more about online Passion Circles, online Cohorts. In addition, stay tuned to our Events page to see what online events are coming up, such as Elder’s Rites of Passage or virtual workshops. 

Virtual Council Circles

Wherever you are,
a deeper life is calling.

Illuman Men at Online Virtual Council Circle Zoom Meetings

If you aren’t near a local Illuman Chapter or are simply unable to attend in-person, we invite you to join an Illuman Virtual Council. 

Our Virtual Council Circles use Zoom to connect men from anywhere in the world. They are conducted in much the same manner as in-person Councils: with grounded time in quiet contemplation, reflective readings or poetry, and deepening our connections with open-ended prompts. Expect time together in contemplation and challenging, open-ended discussion.

Whether you are experienced in the Way of Council or a complete newcomer, we welcome you. Join any of our weekly Virtual Council options listed below.

Virtual Council Meeting Times

The Virtual Councils currently take place at the following days and times listed below. (Note that Eastern Daylight Time is UTC-4, and Pacific Daylight Time is UTC-7.) While many of the Council Circles listed below are hosted by geographically-based chapters, you are welcome to join any that work for you. If the times listed below don’t work for you, please let us know what you would prefer by emailing the Virtual Council Guiding Circle.

Wherever in the world you may find yourself, please join us!

Click here if you need a quick Zoom tutorial

Illuman is a spiritual movement of men helping men deepen in connection with ourselves, each other, and the needs of the world.