Awaken 2026
Join us November 5–8, 2026, at Camp Glorieta near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Next year, Awaken returns to where it all began. The mountains of New Mexico hold deep roots in Illuman’s story—where Richard Rohr and the men of M.A.L.Es first gathered for the Men’s Rites of Passage and where Awaken (Soularize) was born. It was there that a movement took shape, calling men to awaken, to heal, and to live from their deepest selves.
After several years away, we’re coming home. Awaken 2026 will be held at Camp Glorieta, a breathtaking retreat center nestled in the mountains just outside Santa Fe. Surrounded by pine forests, open sky, and sacred quiet, this space invites us to listen deeply and reconnect with what truly matters.
Through Council, ritual, story, and nature, we’ll gather once more as brothers—to honor the journey, kindle the fire, and continue the work that began here decades ago.
Sign up to receive updates and be among the first to know when registration opens. You’ll also receive stories, reflections, and details to help you prepare for this homecoming to the heart of Illuman’s story.
Why Attend Awaken?
Every fall, hundreds gather for Illuman’s men’s retreat: Awaken.
This three-day experience will help you reconnect to yourself, to others, and to the sacred rhythms of life.
In today’s turbulent world, the fires of manhood too often smolder beneath ashes of confusion, anger, and critique. Destructive versions of masculinity are rightly called out—but less often do we see the spark of something deeper: a sacred masculine that heals, blesses, and transforms. Figures like Martin Luther King, Jackie Robinson, Thomas Merton, Thich Nhat Hanh, Fred Rogers, Richard Rohr, and Jesus modeled this fire—steady, generative, grounded in love—but their example is easy to overlook in a culture that exalts domination over depth.
Amid this disorientation, sanctuaries of clarity and courage still exist. Illuman is a global brotherhood where we believe that fire still lives in the soul of every man—waiting to be tended. These are men who choose courage over comfort, substance over performance—the kind of men the world needs most right now.
At Awaken we will reignite this fire and construct a better understanding of masculinity by exploring four key archetypes—King, Warrior, Lover, and Magician—through the lens of four key attributes: Compassion, Courage, Curiosity, and Connection. We will cultivate these qualities in ourselves through:
Contemplative spiritual practices
Inspiring speakers and storytellers
Authentic connection in small council circles
Powerful rituals of transformation
Time in nature in the beautiful mountains of northwestern Virginia
Rest, relaxation, and play
Join us at Awaken 2026 as we fan the embers of our souls, rekindle the sacred within, and awaken a masculinity that can illuminate and sustain a better world for all.
Awaken to the Sacred Masculine
Discover a new kind of masculinity.
Hear from life-changing presenters.
Experience deep connection with a diverse community of men.
Participate in meaningful rituals, storytelling, and small groups.
Enjoy nourishing meals and scenic surroundings that invite reflection.