Council Training Course
Learn how to gather and guide a small group of committed men.
We aren’t made to travel life's journey alone.
Growth happens in community. We grow where we feel supported, encouraged, and challenged by others—where we feel safe to be our true and vulnerable selves.
If you have ever wished for a circle of friends to journey with, and would like to start a men’s group of your own, you’re invited to Illuman’s Council Training Course.
What This Course Will Teach You
You will learn how to create and facilitate a small group of men committed to walking their spiritual journey together through life’s ups and downs—brothers you can rely on through thick and thin. We will give you a tool box of spiritual practices to turn your circle into a life-long community of friends. Central to these groups is the Way of Council, a communal contemplative practice based on listening and speaking from the heart. (Learn more about the Way of Council here.)
Who this Training is For
This training is primarily intended for those who wish to start NEW council circles in their area or online. After your training is complete, we will provide you tools and connections to help you get a new circle off the ground. First priority is given to those who have this goal. If there is any more room after these spots are filled, we will then open the course to those who are already part of a council and want to support their current facilitators, or refresh and expand their skills.
Upcoming Council Training Courses
Courses will be held on the following Dates:
Section 5: June 4, 11, 18, 25
Thursdays, 1-3pm PT / 4-6pm ET
Section 6: July 21, 23, 28, 30
Tue & Thu, 5-7pm PT / 8-10pm ET
Section 7: August 17, 19, 24, 26
Mon & Wed, 5-7pm PT / 8-10pm ET
Section 8: September 15, 17, 22, 24
Tue & Thu, 8-10 AM PT / 11 AM-1 PM ET
Registration typically opens 3-4 weeks in advance of each course.
Join the Waiting List to be among the first notified when registration opens.
Learn how to start and facilitate your own men’s Council circle in this 4-session online course. Trainings will include both instruction and practice.
Get Trained
Training Courses meet via Zoom two hours per session for four sessions.
Join the waiting list to be notified when new courses open up.
We don’t want finances to be a barrier to anyone, so we simply ask that you offer a donation of any amount based on the resources you have available and your desire to help this program flourish.
A donation of $50 will cover our costs, but if that is prohibitive, please give only what you can afford. If you have the means, we invite you to donate more than $50 to help those who need to pay less.
Suggested donation
FAQs
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The general outline of the course is as follows:
Session 1: Introduction to the Way of Council
The purpose, intentions, and structure of Council; differences between in-person and Virtual CouncilsSession 2: How to Facilitate Council
The role of a Council facilitator; working with conflict; general troubleshootingSession 3: More Practices for Journeying Together
Additional spiritual practices and other group activities, beyond Council, to take your group deeperSession 4: Getting Started
Developing themes/prompts; how to recruit and manage your own circle and keep it going over the long haul
Throughout the four weeks you will also be meeting with a small group of fellow participants to practice leading Council yourselves.
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No, this course is open to all, even if you have no prior experience with Illuman.
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Yes. Illuman is a nonprofit organization that focuses on masculine spirituality and men’s inner work. We welcome all male-identified persons.
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Illuman is a non-denominational, interfaith, and spiritually inclusive organization that honors the wisdom and spiritual practices common to all faiths. We do not proselytize for any particular religion.
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The Journey of Illumination is the name we give to a path of deep inner work and spiritual transformation that challenges us, every day, to show up, share and listen, walk with others, let go of the past, and serve others. Learn more here.
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Council is a technique for facilitating small groups based on listening and speaking from the heart without cross-talk or advice giving. You can find out more about Illuman’s practice of Council here.