Men’s awareness sangha
My name is Joe Holtaway, and I’m helping to set up a Men’s Awareness Sangha.
A number of us have been exploring what is sometimes called “men’s work” through groups and resources outside the sangha.
Out of that, there’s been a growing sense that it would be valuable to come together as practitioners and explore these themes more directly within a shared practice space.
We want to create a something to look, honestly at subjects such as patriarchy, consent, male privilege, and how we move in relationship with others. Not as a place of blame or shame, but as a place of awareness, responsibility, and learning together.
As Thich Nhat Hanh teaches, we all carry seeds within our consciousness. Through mindfulness, we can begin to recognise which seeds we are watering, and learn to cultivate those that lead to understanding, compassion, and care. This feels like an important foundation for the work not trying to become perfect, but becoming ever more aware.
This sangha is for people who identify as men, including trans men, and is intended as an affinity space for those who wish to explore their experience of moving through the world in that way. At the same time, it is held in a spirit of respect and solidarity with the wider sangha’s non-binary and women practitioners.
Part of the aspiration is to take responsibility for our own learning, so that we can contribute more consciously and safely to the whole community.
Alongside Plum Village practices, sitting and walking meditation, deep listening, and sharing we’ll be drawing on resources from beyond the tradition. These may include writings on masculinity, power, and relationships that help us see more clearly.
One of the voices we’ll begin with is bell hooks, a teacher, writer and student of Thay’s who spoke deeply about love, care, and responsibility. She reminds us that love is ‘not simply a feeling, but a practice’, one that calls for ‘honesty, accountability, and growth’. That spirit feels closely aligned with what we hope to cultivate together.
This is very much a learning journey. We don’t have it figured out. We’re interested in listening, reflecting, and supporting one another in developing awareness and responsibility over time.
We’ll meet online once a month, and the group will evolve as we go. We also warmly welcome suggestions for readings or resources from the wider sangha; this feels like something we can build together.
Personally, as a cis man, I’m aware that there are certainly blind spots in how I see and move in the world. Part of my intention in helping to create this space is to bring those into awareness, and to contribute to a culture within the sangha where we are willing to look at these things in ourselves. My personal aspiration is to become a better ally, and I hope this group can support others in that too.
If you feel drawn to this work and would like to find out more, please find contact information on this page.
The Sangha meets first Tuesday of each month 8 – 9:30 pm online.
with a bow
Joe
