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COYOTE ARCHIVE
Dick Prosapio aka, Coyote is a member of the TMC Advisory Council, ceremonialist, psycho-
therapist (ret.), author, leader of men's experiential workshops, & Co-founder of The Foundation for Common Sense. He lives with his wife and daughter in Stanley, NM
For more info about Dick Prosapio, visit his web-site:
Spirit/ Earth Path
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In the Company of Men
by
Dick Prosapio © 2003
Just a little while ago I spent a weekend in a workshop on sexuality with men.
Just men.
Once, it seems another lifetime ago, such a prospect would hardly have been an attractive alternative to say, a movie, a few drinks in a new bar, a possible date with someone who had possibilities, a long drive into the desert, a backpacking trip, a... well, you get the idea. It would not have been anywhere near my top ten list of things to do on a weekend. Or any time for that matter.
But I've come a long way since that other life, the one before beginning to discover what men, and, as it followed, I, was all about. But that's another story for another time.
This weekend happened in this lifetime and was hugely anxiety provoking in the anticipation, and hugely rewarding in the outcome. Risking ones "significance", appearing foolish is always a sure anxiety producer and only when we're in control of the degree of foolishness we will allow do we feel "safe" enough to do it. Either that or we're Robin Williams and getting paid for it.
Right up there with being embarrassed in front of a woman we're trying to impress is being embarrassed in front of friends. But topping the list is being emotionally naked in front of a group of men with whom you're spending a weekend. And doing it voluntarily not because you're in the Marines. Not because there's someone shaking a finger in your face daring you to "get real", and shaming you if you don't come clean.
Whatever that means.
That's what made this weekend special. Men came from as far away as Wyoming and Chicago to talk about male sexuality. Their own. And to do more than talk. What they embarked upon was a process that challenged them to express themselves through movement, dance actually, and not the usual let's-get-down-and-boogie. No, this was movement calling on deeper resources than that. This dance calls upon what is real about us and is far beyond how we have learned to be. Far beyond the performance we have polished over the years so that we will be acceptable to one and all. And of course ourselves.
I can't really tell you how we did it, not because I want to keep it some sort of cult secret, but because explanations will fall far short of the experience. But I can tell you this, each man danced his real Self and the range of expression ran from the wild beauty of male sexuality to the grace and body mastery of male power to the heartbreaking, sobbing, and pain-filled release of a small, fearful boy locked up in a man's body for over thirty years.
I have no other word to use other than to say that it was a powerful time and, there was no foolishness in it... there was only courage. Wonderful, incredible, courage... as during that weekend we danced the Wise Fools into existence.
Dick Prosapio ©2003, All Rights Reserved
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