THE HIDDEN SPIRITUALITY OF MEN

We have heard a great deal about the Sacred Feminine, but the Sacred Masculine is a much less familiar phrase. Emerging from patriarchal dominator traditions into a more balanced culture, Matthew Fox identifies the need for new models of masculinity beyond the macho image that real men eat beef. It is not only the spirituality of men that is often hidden, but also their emotions. This attitude can cut us off from the roots of life, sapping our vitality in the process. It is mystics and prophets who provide the juicy life forces of religion, while priests erect structures and may impose restrictions through the cultivation of sin, shame and guilt. DH Lawrence identifies this when he says that men strive to get into direct contact with the elemental life of the cosmos - mountains, clouds, thunder, air, earth and sun. This gives us energy.

The main body of the book is devoted to ten archetypes of authentic masculinity: Father Sky, the Green Man, Icarus and Daedalus, Hunter-Gatherers, Spiritual Warriors, Numinous Masculine Sexuality, Cosmic and Animal Bodies, the Blue Man, the Fatherly and Grandfatherly Hearts. This makes for an extraordinary journey through these ten metaphors. The Green Man, paired with the Black Madonna in the 12th century, has made a comeback as a symbol of our reconnection with Nature and our understanding of the sacred tree. The Greek myth of Icarus reminds us that we need wings to take flight as we track a middle path between the Earth and the Sun. There is also the aspect of intergenerational wisdom in this story.

The hunter-gatherer archetype is deep within us and its negative aspect is demonstrated in the psychodynamics of gangs based on respect but ultimately on violence and shame. We need less destructive ways of dealing with negative emotions. There are also elements of the hunter-gatherer in the search for truth and knowledge. And in sport we both compete and cooperate. This leads naturally into the archetype of the spiritual warrior, and there is a very interesting discussion of the relationship between being a prophet and a warrior - one who does what is right, following his heart. Matthew outlines the four steps to spiritual warriorhood involving the via positiva of celebration, the via negativa of surrender, the via creativa of giving birth and the via transformativa of speaking on behalf of justice.

The chapter on sexuality is central, standing as it does for generativity and creativity, for passion, ecstasy and joy, for communion with each other and with God. In the West, sexuality has most commonly associated with sin and shame, a denial of what Riane Eisler called sacred pleasure characteristic of some pagan traditions. It is arresting to read the list of the many names of sexuality and to realise the power of repression as well as the extraordinary liberation that has taken place in the last 40 years. We rarely take time to appreciate the amazing nature of the human body which itself contains elements of stardust uniquely recombined. There is also a sacred anatomy in the chakra system, and Matthew suggests ways of recovering body awareness.

The Blue Man was a new concept to me but one developed by Muktananda and Hildegard of Bingen, standing for expansion of consciousness, expression of compassion and artistic improvisation in our lives, the recognition of beauty and justice. The two chapters on the fatherly and grandfatherly heart speak directly to the role of men as fathers and mentors. The father is missing from many disturbed childhoods, and there is an inspiring list of the qualities of the paternal heart, which I went through with my son George as I was reading the book. The grandfather is the elder, a time not of retirement but what Matthew calls refirement and regeneration.

Ultimately, we have to marry the masculine and feminine within ourselves, corresponding to the Sacred marriage of the cosmos between Father Sky and Mother Earth, the Green Man and the Black Madonna, Yin and Yang, East and West, body and soul, humans and the divine, left and right hemisphere thinking. All these point towards a necessary integration which we can only achieve through living life authentic. To this end, Matthew provides a number of exercises in the appendix and redefines the nature of real men in his conclusion. It is an inspiring encouragement to choose life and engagement, to open the heart, to defend what we cherish, to listen as well as to teach, to be generous and embrace the feminine within ourselves – 'nurturing, protecting and providing for our communities.' Men and women alike will be enriched by this bold and visionary work.