Adulthood – Coming of Age – Initiation Ritual for Men – Manhood – Breaking Dependence on the Symbolic Mother!
Adulthood - Breaking Dependence on the Symbolic Mother!
At the adulthood (manhood, coming of age) initiation ritual for men, we thank the parents, the godparents and the society for the care we have received until now (see baptism). As an adult we have to stand up for the things we do, and we have to take the greatest possible responsibility in our role and situation.
To go out and kill the dragon!
Initiation Ritual for Men - Breaking Dependence on the Symbolic Mother!
We must break dependence on the symbolic mother in order to become men and fathers. All major transitions in life were accompanied by "male rites of passage" in all societies, transition rituals designed to help people take the step over the threshold.
They must leave their mothers and their homes, are withdrawn into the bush, symbolically devoured by a maternal monster and then initiated into the secret law of the tribe and religious traditions. When a young man has gone through this transition ritual, he is then a full member of the tribe; he is a man. In many tribes, those who are afraid or for some reason not initiated are said to be "he is not initiated, he is an animal," meaning that he has remained completely unconscious - he has not really taken the step to becoming a human being.
Meditation - The Lions Roar
Monasteries are like furnaces that refine the ordinary person and transform him into an accomplished sage. Because gold is so highly valued in the world, people spare no expenses in their search for it. First mine the ore, then they melt it in a furnace.
Only through this process are they able to finally extract the pure gold from the other constituents. Likewise the Self-nature is innate within each of us. But if we do not undergo the process of cultivating the path it will be impossible to ever discover our true nature and thus transform ourselves from an ordinary person into an accomplished sage.
When the lions's roar echoes among mountains and rivers, the foxes and spirits lose their courage and flee.
Coming of Age - Phoenix
All living beings sail in a boat crossing the ocean. Man is one with the boat. The ocean is one with the land. Everything you see is in constant activity and movement. But there is only one thing that is majestic yet completely natural. All things rest in its embrace. Do you ever perceive this one unmoving thing? By understanding it, you reach the realm of freedom.
Initiation Ritual for Men - Through Death to Life!
Seven days count as one! To commemorate the enlightenment of the saints and sages, the initiation ritual, the Mountain Week, takes place twice a year (January & August). During this week, we will not lie down and will devote all activities to meditation. The ritual marks an important stage in life, allowing one to consciously enter into the new responsibility with change.