
Dr. Stefan
0157 Wednesday July 21st, 2021 Pe'ahi, Maui, Hawai'i
I was blessed to be invited to attend a Mankind Project I-Group meeting last night that featured live attendance. It was my first in-person meeting since the Covid-19 panic set in with its rigid mandates, approximately a year and a half ago.
I was struck by the vividness, the sheer power and energy of men gathering to share and honor each other with their truths and willingness to listen. I had forgotten how incredibly emotive and safe I could feel in the presence of such men--some of whom did not know me, but accepted me as an Elder of the community. As the meeting progressed, I became aware of the growing openness and felt-sense of connection. The lingua franca was that emotional honesty, being willing to tell the others exactly what each was feeling, with no fear of offending, with a generous sense and thirst for the truth.
I opened up a great deal in this meeting about some of my personal dilemmas, shame and fears. I had not really intended to do so, but, in the presence of such a strong emotional bond, and feeling I would be honored, not shamed or harmed in any way, some very distressing material just roared out--not seeking solutions or advice, simply so that I could express what I was feeling and no longer have to carry it.
It is now many hours later and I am still feeling the enrichment and vitality of that release and of genuinely being "caught" by the others in the group with no effort and a great deal of love. I am grateful.