Male Spiritual Journey

The Male Life Journey and The Male Spiritual Journey follow a natural progression referred to as "seasons" into maturity with transitional periods along the way. Moving from ego developing first half stages; which is rightly focused on action,

achieving and accumulating, to eventually moving into the second half of life;

a reflective time which requires us to let go of those outer identifications,

inviting us to a greater sense of inner identification through the awareness of

the sacred in our life experiences, and the integration of the parts of the self

that have been celebrated, as well as those areas of woundedness that have

been cut off and denied.

For many men in every age group, those wounds are still open and bleeding. Rooted in shame and fear, men either my father to talk to me about sex, success, money and marriage, religion and raising kids. I don’t know many men my age who don’t feel like he’s navigating

Dr. Robert Moore's Theory states that although there are many archetypes, or universal patterns of the psyche on the journey, men consistantly embrace four, mature or immature; those being the Lover, the Warrior, the Magician and the

King archetype; the wisdom figure, or mentor, who if mature, can balance the energy of all the archetypes, a critical stage that is lacking for most men today.

"Wanderer, your footsteps are the road, and nothing more; wanderer, there is

no road, the road is made by walking. By walking one makes the road, and upon glancing behind one sees the path …" Antonio MacLado

The passion that I have for Masculine Spirituality is a result of my own personal journey; one of life experiences, and one of searching and seeking, a quest that

still continues today. I was one of the rebels of the 1970's who was neither too concerned about structure, nor did I have a guide, so I became very familiar with the backroads; which were filled with many twists, turns, and dead ends, but I received an education not found in any classroom.

Returning from the backroads, I became increasing aware and discouraged that there were not many men willing or capable of walking at a deeper human or spiritual level. I understand now that it is not through any fault of their own,

but simply beacuse there were so few men available for them on their journey.

I have never lost sight of where I came from, and I understand much clearer now

in my second half of life; the larger vision of the life lessons taught to me, why

I was being taught, and for whom those lessons were really intended. Knowing

that many men reject the idea of being vulnerable and the spiritual journey, I

now spend a lot of time sharing my life and those lessons learned with other

men inviting them to a healing Christ that awaits on the other side.

Robert Carter

http://www.rcarter.org