Toward an Illuman Understanding of Spirituality
Written by Belden Lane
I speak as an old-timer in the Illuman work, having loved it for years, ever since I was initiated at Ghost Ranch in 2004. I also speak as a retired Presbyterian minister and long-time professor of theology at a Jesuit University. Like so many others, I was initially drawn to the Illuman community by the teachings of Richard Rohr.
It’s with this background (and baggage 🙂) that I want to address the subject of spirituality as it relates to our current work of clarifying the Illuman vision and rethinking our organizational structure. I know (and respect) men who fear that this means an abandonment of the Christian/Franciscan values Richard originally brought to the work, leaving us unmoored without a clear sense of values. I also know (and respect) men who have felt left out because of their not being Christian and who suggest that the “de-centering” of Christianity is necessary for the movement to go forward.
My own take is different from both of these. Richard’s intention in developing (with Stephen Gambill) the first rites of passage at Ghost Ranch in 1996 was not to nurture a body of “Christian” men. He had nothing of the kind in mind. Instead, he was reaching back to more ancient, universal, mythic, and pan-cultural practices that had long proved powerful in bringing men to a consciousness of their authentic role in society. He couldn’t help being what he was, peppering his teachings with insights from Christian mystics and prophets—and sharply criticizing his church for failing to honor them. But his purpose was not to bring men into the Christian fold. Illuman (and MALES before it) has never viewed itself as a prescriptive body, expecting initiated men to adhere to any particular doctrine or spiritual practice.
On the other hand, I’m not convinced that “getting Christianity out of the picture” is the way to assure our acceptance of men from widely disparate backgrounds. What we need, instead, is a greater inclusion of other faith traditions and frameworks of value, widening our hospitality to others. Richard has already pointed us toward this in his emphasis on the Universal Christ, which helpfully broadens the perspective of self-identified Christians. But it isn’t welcoming enough for those who would also want to affirm the Universal Buddha, the Universal Tao, or the Universal message of the Hebrew Prophets.
And—just as important—is our need to affirm those men who are deeply committed to values of peace, justice, and community, but who identify with no religious or spiritual tradition as such. It’s pejorative to dismiss them simply as the “nones” in American cultural life—granting them only a negative identity. They have a great deal to teach us. They know how easily religion has been used in the past to bolster patriarchy and unlimited (imperial) power, and to suppress dissent. Those of us who identify as “religious” (or spiritual) need the voices of men who can remind us of the shadow side of our deeply-held beliefs.
One approach in thinking about Illuman’s larger commitment to values is to identify a distinctive body of shared convictions on which we can all agree—something more foundational than specific, individual religious beliefs. I’d suggest, in fact, that we’ve already been doing this in our vision and mission statements, our welcoming litany, and our use of the Journey of Illumination. In my work as a weaver over the years, I’ve noticed the following perspectives as generally affirmed by all of the men who seek us out:
A sense of wonder/amazement at the deep mystery of the natural world, making us humble in admitting our ultimate inability to “name” the Energy that drives the Universe.
A delight in the power of myth, story, and ritual as these come from all the great cultures, religions, and Indigenous traditions of the past, forming a body of collective wisdom.
A sense of accountability to what it means to be most authentically human—involving a commitment to the values of dignity, equality, and the rule of law in supporting a just society.
An ability not only to welcome diversity, but to heartily affirm the discomfort that initially comes in truly meeting the “other.” This hasn’t been articulated in the past as much as it needs to be. The blessing of discomfort (and conflict) is what prompts us to the resolution of differences that arise and the formation of genuine community.
This acknowledgement (even celebration) of discomfort is profoundly important. We’ve seen it in Witnessing Whiteness programs, for example, where people begin to talk more honestly about race together—as they’re made to consider their own race and their fragility in speaking about it. But it’s just as important to exercise this honesty and self-understanding with respect to religion. For men who are deeply religious, being invited to welcome the profoundly different views of others may feel like they’re being asked to betray the truth they affirm, as if all points of view were relative.
But the community we seek to build in Illuman is not based on any agreement about ultimate “Truth” as such, but on the inherent dignity and beauty of every man. One’s worth isn’t rooted in the rightness of what he believes (or doesn’t believe), but in his essential humanity as a unique human being. If Illuman men have the courage to work through their discomfort over religious differences and radically affirm the worth of each other, they can point the larger society to the truly transformative power of love. That’s a distinctive gift we can offer in a world where religion (like sex, race, patriarchy, and misogyny) are things we don’t talk about. Unexamined, they continue to foster hatred, dissension, and even war.
In short, the spirituality I’m talking about is one that doesn’t call attention to itself. It’s known more by what it practices than by what it professes. But in the process, ironically, it may end up touching the heart of what men on both sides have most wanted to affirm: men meeting men on the clear, unprescriptive ground of love.
