Would the world be better off with more humble and powerful men in it?
Here’s a controversial statement: it’s not easy being a man these days. Outdated models of masculinity exist on one side, out of tune and out of touch with history and the times. Yet the other side seems full of soft and too-sensitive men afraid of their innate power and unsure how they fit into the world.
This 3-day retreat teaches a third way, the way of The Empowered Man. Farm-to-table food and camping are included, and additional rooming options are at the bottom of this page.
The very idea of masculinity is under question and sometimes under attack. In this experiential retreat, we’ll gather to explore this topic in intensive and insightful practices, talks, and embodied experiences.
We’ll explore the downside of the old model of masculinity but also the downside of the ‘too-woke’ man. You’ll learn to share and also to hold boundaries; to take in criticism and challenge but not collapse — or posture; to be embodied while also being highly attuned to your own emotional experience; to transcend ideas of what the masculine can or should be, in order to find your own intelligent, skillful, fully alive, highly relational, emotionally sophisticated, and deeply powerful self.
Practices will include:
The weekend will be highly interactive. A strong container will allow for safety but also a lack of it, so you can explore your edges by, at times, going past them.
This will be led by experienced men’s work facilitators Jeff James Howard, Marco Lam, and Keith Martin-Smith. Jeff is a licensed psychotherapist and Marco an acupuncturist, permaculture expert, and community leader. Keith is an ordained Zen priest, published author, and martial arts lineage holder.
$500/weekend
*Price includes farm-to-table meals and also includes camping for those who wish to camp. If camping, you’ll only need bedding and a tent — we’ll hold the space and help you get set up. For other lodgings, please see the bottom of this page. We cannot host people on the farm due to insurance issues.
For our time together, we’ll gather at Elkstone Farm and be fed from the amazing farm-to-table kitchen there & where we’ll also take time to get outside & get up in the mountains by bike or by foot.
Friday 6-10 pm, Saturday 9-9 pm, Sunday 9-7 pm.
DETAILED SCHEDULE
Friday, October 1:
6-7:15 - Council in the woods at Dry Lake Campground
7:30-8:30 pm Dinner at Elkstone Farm
8:30- 9:10 pm Fire circle: Turn up the heat
9:10 Close for the night
Saturday, October 2
9:00-9:40- Sit
9:45-10:15- Physical/embodiment exercise
10:15-1200 Content/circle/teaching
12:00-1:00- Lunch
1:00-3:30- Content/circle/teaching
3:30-5- Extended break/wander/practice period
5-6:30- Content/circle/teaching
6:30-7:30- Dinner
7:30-8:45- Closing circle for the day
8:45-9 — Warrior’s rest/Meditation
Sunday, October 3rd
9:00-9:40- Sit
9:40-10:00 Physical/embodiment exercise
10:00-11:30- Content/circle/teaching
11:30-11:45- Break
11:45-12:00- Physical/embodiment exercise
12:00-1:00- Lunch
1:00-3:30- Content/circle/teaching
3:30-3:45 Break
3:45 - 4:20 Circle/teaching
4:20 - 4:30 Break
4:30-6:00 - Closing circle for weekend/Bringing it home
6:00-7:00- Dinner
Additional Lodging:
Lodging in Steamboat gets booked up quickly, especially the more affordable options, so I recommend making booking early.
My favorites:
Strawberry Hotsprings:
This gets booked on the weekends quickly but is inexpensive and has the added benefit of soaking in beautiful natural hot springs. Prices are variable depending on camping, rustic cabin or nicer cabins.
Rabbit Ears Motel
An old school motel that is reasonably nice and reasonably priced right on the yampa river and across from Old town Hotsprings. Roughly $115/night
Airbnb
Lots of price ranges here and luxury ranges. Might be nice if you are sharing with multiple people.
