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Jim Benson | PO Box 3442 | San Rafael CA 94912
(415) 455-8985| Email:
Is this a therapy group?
If you're looking for a support group to help you unravel the threads of your personal process, this isn't for you. The Awakened Masculine combines physical "presence" practices with life challenges outside of the group (often with consequences if the challenge isn't met). If you currently are in therapy, you'll find that The Awakened Masculine works well in conjunction with it.
Will I feel out of place? I'm not sure I'll fit in because I'm ______. (Too old, too young, not white, gay, disabled, etc.)
Every effort is made to make all eligible men feel welcomed into the program. Guys as young as 21 and as old as 82 have participated, as well as men of color, gay and bisexual men, and guys with disabilities.
What should I bring?
Loose fitting, layered clothing. A closed-top water bottle. A rested body and an open mind.
I'll be out of town for many of the meetings. Can I still participate?
No. We do our best to create a safe container for all of us to move to a deeper level with each other, and we commit to doing that at the beginning of the group. That depth is disturbed when men casually "stop by" or "drop in" when it suits them. Instead, you might consider joining an Awakened Masculine Virtual Group.
Why an interview?
Every group has its own flavor, and it's the job of the facilitator to select the right ingredients so the dish tastes great! Actually, we interview each other, so you get a chance to talk to me as well.
How do I schedule an interview?
First, read To Join Or Not. If you think you are a a good match for the group after reading that page, contact Jim (see below) for a phone interview.
Level 1 Awakened Masculine groups meet weekly in San Rafael. They are time-limited groups (8-10 weeks) with a maximum of 10 participants. Level 1 is ideal for men who want to learn ways to create more trust with other men and experience greater authenticity in all of their relationships. The next Level 1 series begins May 27, 2010. Read more about it here.
Men who have completed a Level 1 Awakened Masculine training may be invited to take the next step. Level 2 groups are ongoing, weekly groups that include greater personal challenges. Participants experience the many benefits of long-term connections with other conscious men. These weekly groups are limited to 10 participants. Click here for more information about Level 2.
Don't live in the SF Bay area? Traveling a lot? You can still be part of a men's group! Check out the new Awakened Masculine Virtual Groups program here.
Participants in the Awakened Masculine program are eligible for substantial discounts in one-on-one coaching with Jim Benson for the length of their stay in the group. To learn more about Jim's individual work with men, click here to visit his coaching website.
One of the important benefits of participating in the Awakened Masculine program is the chance to see yourself in a new light. You may be surprised at the clarity and power of the reflections you'll receive from the other men in the group.
If you've found it difficult to find and maintain healthy, conscious connections with other men, the Awakened Masculine Level 1 program may be for you. If you're interested, check out the To Join Or Not page, then call or email Jim today to set up a 20-minute phone interview.
The Fijian Kava ceremony and rituals from other lineages are a part of the Awakened Masculine program. These rituals serve to deepen the experience of every man in the group, and of the group as a whole.