Welcome to the Men's Leadership Alliance

 

A new transition for MLA

 

The Art of Leadership Training Program proved, once again, to be a tremendously powerful experience for me. 35 of us gathered to mark a huge transition for MLA, as its founders took their first steps into their new visions for mens' work.

The Art of Leadership Program, developed by Tom, Keith and Jeffrey over 20 years ago, seemed no longer to provide them with the regenerative juice that so many of us have experienced while at Sapphire Canyon. During my conversations with the three of them, I took away their mutual sense of excitement from newfound freedom to explore new dreams. Each spoke of the fresh ideas and pathways that they wanted to explore. Each remained totally committed to the deep and longstanding friendship with each other. I found that commitment to be critical for me in establishing my own peace with all these changes.

During our time at Sapphire the creek was running full and the grasses were green and filled with energy. We were blessed with hummingbirds throughout camp. Joy and sadness were richly mixed. The range of ages was almost 60 years. We sat and danced in small groups divided only by age. We talked one to one for hours. Everyone found a way to help in the kitchen and the conversations fed our souls, along with wonderful food.

We embraced the great Spruce, calling on its deep powers, and then liberated the lower campground with a ceremony of joy and brotherhood surrounding a blazing fire, followed by a sweat lodge filled with cold rocks. I was amazed at the heat we generated and felt as if a phoenix would surely arise from the ashes. It was a deeply memorable passage. The move up from the lower dance ground to the upper dance ground was a nice change but not enough to keep enthusiasm as strong as it could have been.

MLA will continue to make a difference for those who are dealing with identity, changes, relationships, old wounds, divorce and uncertainty in life’s transitions. These themes were all present while we were in council and much strength could be found from many different brothers.

Ongoing Programs

 

Open Men's Circles - free of charge

Men’s Circles, open to any man

offered in Boulder, CO

 

Wisdom Circles - free of charge

Informative monthly meetings, open to men & women - offered in Boulder and Denver, CO

 

The gathering gave me confidence that MLA will find a new voice to continue reaching out, not just in Colorado, but across North America and beyond.

 

Allan Rudner, an elder from Australia, who was able to join us and share much of what is happening on the other side of the world, left us with this prayer:

  • Do you know your heartsong? Do you know your heartsong?
  • If you don’t know your heartsong, then seek it out until you find it.
  • When you find your heartsong, share it, sing it out loud
  • Let your heartsong echo from the highest mountains and deepest valleys with all your heart.
  • What is your heartsong? What is your heartsong?

 

I left feeling good about the entire process; knowing that so many people deeply care about this work. My SUV was full as we headed out; not just gear and passengers, but also the memories of the past ten years, filled the car and still echo within me as I write this note.

 

The Guide Council -- including Jason, who is on his own “walkabout”, which he began following the gathering -- will be meeting to strategize the next steps for MLA.

 

The Guide Council welcomes your ideas and thoughts to help us to continue nurturing this work and reigniting the enthusiasm which embodies the spirit of MLA.

 

Gay Mayer, Sapphire Canyon - July 2010

A Resource for the Soul

When a person is ready for this work—no matter what their age— they seek an emerging selfhood, rich with deep feelings, honest, engaging communication, and genuine support. One's greatness comes from their courage to embrace the so-called weaknesses in their character. At MLA, we follow a practice of emotional and spiritual ownership. It is a way of deep responsibility —one that embraces not only our victories, but our wounds and losses, betrayals and attacks, the damage we have done or sanctioned... as well as the wounds we have endured. True power comes from neither dominance nor victimhood. There is another way —one that embraces both of these aspects and creates a third alternative.

Join us in our quest. We invite you to commit to this path of true selfhood. All are welcome. The richer our diversity, the more we can find our own true selves... and unleash the true power that lies within every human being.

 

The Men's Leadership Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring realization of the authentic self.
We encourage and support soulful living in the service of a just, joyful, and sustainable world.

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version 3.2 - last updated: April, 2010

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