As we reach the edge of town our path takes us towards a young eucalyptus wood. The sound of our footfall changes as we move from tarmac to gravel path. Once surrounded by trees we stop and form a rough circle. I can hear inside me the first lines of ‘Start Close In’ - it’s perfect for this moment.
Standing in circle we pause together taking a few breaths, consciously connecting to ourselves, each other, and the world around us. And then collectively we set the tone for our walk so that we might use the time together in an effective way.
As part of our men’s retreat we are out on a hike together; a simple group of men having a good old wonder through the woods. The archetypal ‘Afternoon Stroll’ might just be our oldest (and possibly best) ritual activity for deepening bonds and exploring what comes next.
Part of the narrative on our Menspedition adventure is an exploration into stepping into our next chapter in life. Whether that’s in work, personal care, relationships or family life (or all of the above!), we support each other in a variety of ways to consider our next steps.
In this vein, before we set off walking, I felt it useful to share David Whyte’s poem Start Close In. In the audio above you can hear my exploration of this wonderful text looking at it’s particular relevance to how we might best step towards the new chapters we are so hungry for.
Some of the topics I explore include:
- the wisdom of starting with your own small step, and not being put off by the grandeur of your own plans.
- why our own questions are more important than other people’s questions and what to do about this.
- and the advantage (and relief?) of being able to start with the ground you know, the pale ground beneath your feet.
The next Menspedition retreat will happen in May 2024 in Snowdonia. Stay tuned here for more information or check out the website.
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