Like us, you may have noticed how our gender conditioning can cause harmful consequences, how inhabiting masculinity in different ways brings discomfort, and how there is freedom that is available in a masculinity unhinged from its dominant characteristics. These, and many other shared experiences of our masculine conditioning, will be the base for our shared intention to explore masculinity. With curiosity and the support of Insight Dialogue, the unwholesome (hurtful, self-centered) aspects of hegemonic masculinity will be deconstructed, while turning towards the wholesome (caring, open) and liberating aspects that masculinity can embody.
We are aware that it might seem intimidating or shameful to look at masculinity in these ways. This is why we will lean on the support of the teachings of Dhamma to disentangle from our harmful gender conditioning and explore other masculinities that are warm, caring, intimate, open to vulnerability, courageous, and that liberate us from the burden of patriarchal hegemonic masculinity.
One field that may have been left deserted within our male conditioning is that tender and mutually-caring space between male friends. In our own experiences, the truth of this has brought us to explore the power of relationality and why the Buddha taught that spiritual friendship is at the heart of the Buddhist path. As such, we hope to explore how masculinity has colored our capacity to truly integrate spiritual friendship, and how this kind of friendship can become the whole path.
While meditation experience is highly recommended, Insight Dialogue experience is not necessary, as we will introduce this practice and (re)visit its guidelines together.
This program is open to all who identify within the male spectrum, including but not limited to transgender and cisgender men, as well as non-binary and gender nonconforming individuals.
Program Format
We will offer silent meditation, mindful movement, and dialogue in groups of two or more, often working with a precise theme. Teachings will weave contemporary views of masculinity with timeless Dhamma.
Participants are expected to be curious to engage in the dialogue elements of the practice as these will be the main aspects of the program and the moments where the teachings will come to light. It is required that cameras remain on while we are in session.
