Male Initiation – Male Rite of Passage – An Initiation of Becoming a Man – Manhood – Mountainweek – Rohatsu

Male Rite of Passage - Mountainweek

The initiation ritual for men (male rite of passage) marks an important stage in life (e.g., adulthood, wedding, fatherhood, midlife, divorce, the dark night of the soul) so that one can consciously enter into the new responsibility with the change. We must dissolve our dependence on the symbolic mother in order to become men and fathers. All major transitions in life should be accompanied by "male rites of passage." These are rituals of passage that should help men take the step across the threshold or make it happen.

The men must leave their mothers and their homes, symbolically devoured by a maternal monster (Death, Chaos), and then initiated into the tribe's religious traditions. Once a "young" man has completed this rite of passage, he is a full member; he is a man and know death.

Only with the spirit and the Love of the Father do we have the courage and determination to break the cycle of cause and effect, action and consequence of many generations. You did not start it, but you can finally finish it and march through the gateless gate to freedom and responsibility!

Through death to life! - A week without sleep!

Seven days count as one! To commemorate the enlightenment of the saints and sages, the initiation ritual, Mountain Week, takes place twice a year (January and August). During this week, we will not lie down and will devote all activities to meditation.

Gold is tested by fire, a jewel is tested by a stone, water is tested by a wooden stick, and a person is tested by their words.

Modules - Not Selectable

Modules are not selectable: Day-long hiking (in all weather conditions), household, cooking, meditation, gardening, etc. The daily schedule may vary.

Church Services

Services at the Reichenburg Catholic Church and Peace Chapel:  Tuesday morning, Wednesday evening, Thursday morning, and Sunday morning

What happens when men no longer have male rites of passages?

In a society without initiation rites for men, men remain dependent on their mothers and are devoured by the mother of death. In a sociological matriarchy (there is no religious matriarchy), women are happy, fat whores who boss men around. And men are thin, submissive, and nervous mama's boys who work the fields and do the work for the women. Wealth, the instinctual world, sexuality without responsibility, and earthly happiness flourish. But there are no intellectual achievements at all, a world of utter stupidity, without religion or meaning. Peaceful but stupid. (Marie-Louise von Franz)

When man and woman are divided, the intelligent pagan rules. If the king is spiritually blind and absent, the queen inevitably becomes a witch (death mother), devours her own children and grandchildren, and needs eunuchs at her side to rule. When men are no longer men, women can no longer be women.

Individuation - The Dark Night of the Soul

The dark night of the soul represents the beginning of an individuation process. It is the initial phase of this process of becoming whole and self-realizing. The dark night of the soul is a profound experience. In the initiation ritual, we confront our own mortality. What appears outwardly as distress and hardship ultimately reveals itself as redemption and liberation. Then, perhaps, from solitude, communion with God, perfection through becoming one, blossoms.

Determination makes all the difference. We must be determined to overcome our culture's impatient, quick-fix approach and continue with its mama's boy attitude. We must never give up and never allow ourselves to be held back by so-called important reasons like time, money, health, too much work, too many commitments, fear of hurting others, or being selfish. We must be determined to go out and say yes to life.

Phoenix - Mama's Boy

A voluntary ego death occurs when you've learned a lot and are ready to let go. It's like igniting a phoenix and setting yourself on fire; that's a much better idea, even though it can still be very hard. Otherwise, you'll remain stuck in your problems, unable to see through your shadow, and suffering in one situation after another. That's why it's so important to move toward achieving self-knowledge.

Self-knowledge - As long as we don't honestly know ourselves, we project our problems onto others (Scapegoat). Self-knowledge is painful.

Meditation - Intensive Meditation Retreat

The practice of patience is one of the means to awaken to your true nature. It assists in the cultivation of wholesome deeds and enables you to accumulate the merit necessary for the attainment of sagehood and the saving of all sentient beings.

The beginning of spiritual training is similar to patiently trying to tame an ox. An ox that runs wildly around must be lassoed and grazed until it is subdued. Likewise, having embarked on the path of zen meditation, we must begin by patiently enduring many difficulties. Only by continuing to practice assiduously in this way will we finally awaken. Hence, patience, which is the forbearance of what is difficult and unpleasant, is precisely the way to awaken to our true nature.

Closing Ceremony - Peace Chapel - Holy Mass

At the end of the mountain week and the initiation ritual, Catholic priest Martin Geisser will conduct a service in the Peace Chapel in Reichenburg.

(Family members, guests and friends are of course welcome to participate)

• If desired, the mountain week can be used as preparation for the subsequent adolescent and adult baptism, confirmation, conversion, wedding, or re-entry into the Church at the closing ceremony. For information about the faith course or catechumenate, please contact Pastor Martin Geisser.

Contact - Registration

Please read the etiquette and the most important questions and answers about your stay carefully. Use the contact form or call us to find out if there are still vacancies.