RESOURCES
Best Rituals
animal within
by morgan, cardona, and perez
Objective: To provide a vivid image with animals the strengths and weaknesses of a man
Prep (2 hours): It is strongly suggested the facilitator(s) of this exercise know the participants intimately in order for the participants to fully experience this ritual.
1) Research two animals per man
2) The first animal will define how the man shows up in an unhealthy way. For example: a peacock naturally shakes its feathers, creates a vibrating sounds that attracts other females, is proudly postured, exquisitely feathered, is less selective than perhaps it should be and will hide its plumage in the face of danger. The natural ways of the peacock are how this man is showing up in his life and it does not serve him
3) The second animal will define the power that lives within the man. For example the ant is group minded, perseveres, is self-disciplined, industrious, orderly, virtuous, strong, strong stamina, and carries 10 to 50 times its body weight. The natural ways of the ant are strengths the man possesses but has yet to truly reveal them.
Essential Ingredients (EI) : Three men(One to lead and take them back, one to sage and support as needed, and one to deliver the animals), A safe place (preferably outside), blindfolds, sage, a drum.
Presentation:
1)Blind fold the men and guide them blind folded in a line for about 3-8 minutes.
2) Start a drum beat firm and consistent. Drum beat throughout
3) Light the sage and sage all men. Keep the sage lit throughout.
4) As they are being led have the men envision a time before they had masculine relationships. Make sure the men are parked two arm lengths apart.
5) One by one lead the men to the facilitator with their animals. Should be at least 20 to 25 yards where he cannot be heard by the other men. Deliver the first animal (#2 above).
6) Once the first man is given his animal, guide him to a space away from all the men and, start forming a circle of men leaving them in silence. While the men are in silence all facilitators will receive their animal.
7) Drum stops and sage subsides. Once all the men are circled up have them take their blindfolds off in silence. The facilitator share’s each man’s first animal. Let each man share how they are feeling until all have shared. (Take your time with this portion)
8) The facilitator now shares the second animal (#3 EI above) with each man. Let each man share. (Again, take your time with this portion)
Prep (2 hours): It is strongly suggested the facilitator(s) of this exercise know the participants intimately in order for the participants to fully experience this ritual.
1) Research two animals per man
2) The first animal will define how the man shows up in an unhealthy way. For example: a peacock naturally shakes its feathers, creates a vibrating sounds that attracts other females, is proudly postured, exquisitely feathered, is less selective than perhaps it should be and will hide its plumage in the face of danger. The natural ways of the peacock are how this man is showing up in his life and it does not serve him
3) The second animal will define the power that lives within the man. For example the ant is group minded, perseveres, is self-disciplined, industrious, orderly, virtuous, strong, strong stamina, and carries 10 to 50 times its body weight. The natural ways of the ant are strengths the man possesses but has yet to truly reveal them.
Essential Ingredients (EI) : Three men(One to lead and take them back, one to sage and support as needed, and one to deliver the animals), A safe place (preferably outside), blindfolds, sage, a drum.
Presentation:
1)Blind fold the men and guide them blind folded in a line for about 3-8 minutes.
2) Start a drum beat firm and consistent. Drum beat throughout
3) Light the sage and sage all men. Keep the sage lit throughout.
4) As they are being led have the men envision a time before they had masculine relationships. Make sure the men are parked two arm lengths apart.
5) One by one lead the men to the facilitator with their animals. Should be at least 20 to 25 yards where he cannot be heard by the other men. Deliver the first animal (#2 above).
6) Once the first man is given his animal, guide him to a space away from all the men and, start forming a circle of men leaving them in silence. While the men are in silence all facilitators will receive their animal.
7) Drum stops and sage subsides. Once all the men are circled up have them take their blindfolds off in silence. The facilitator share’s each man’s first animal. Let each man share how they are feeling until all have shared. (Take your time with this portion)
8) The facilitator now shares the second animal (#3 EI above) with each man. Let each man share. (Again, take your time with this portion)
