The Men’s Circle is a space that is open to all men and male identifying people who seek a communal contemplative experience that supports them on their journey.

Each Gathering will consist of a time to catch up, a brief reflection on the theme for that Gathering, shared silence, and an emphasis on practicing the Way of the Circle together.

The Way of the Circle is a practice of speaking, listening, and processing through the heart while letting go of any need to control, fix, or judge what is spoken or heard. The practice opens a deeper and more meaningful way of communicating and fosters compassion and empathy for one another. The purpose of this practice is to deepen our connection to self, one another, nature, and the sacred.

Themes for this year will include: life is hard, you are not important, your life is not about you, you are not in control, and you are going to die, drawing heavily upon the book, Adam’s Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation by Richard Rohr. Individuals will be invited to read designated sections of the book in advance, but this is not a requirement.

The Men’s Circle will meet approximately once/month at various locations around West Michigan, usually around a fire in someone’s backyard. We’re committed to gathering outdoors in all weather conditions, and will only reschedule or move indoors if there is a legitimate safety concern.

Please consider bringing a beverage and snack to share. There is no charge to participate.

The Men’s Circle will initially be facilitated by Matt Laidlaw, but our intention is that eventually this role will be shared by many in the community.

Contact Matt at mlaidlaw@opencirclecommunity.org if you’re interested in joining us.