For thousands of years tribes of indigenous people all around the world (some till this day) held ritual initiations for young men as they stepped into manhood. These initiation rituals included things like a Vision Quest or “Hanbleceya” as the Lakota Sioux tribe called it, in which young boys were sent out into the wilderness to fast, pray, and seek a vision or a dream that would help guide them in their adult life.

The Guarani tribe in South America held a similar rite of passage where young men had to show their bravery and endurance through these long periods of isolation and survival in the wilderness. 

The Quechua people of the Andes Mountains found it essential for young men to learn skills like farming and herding as well as to understand the tribe’s deep connection with the natural world. 

The Yanomami, in modern day Venezuela/Brazil, held rites of passage where boys learned hunting and warfare skills, as well as the use of hallucinogenic plant medicines to allow communication with the spirit world. 

In Chile and Argentina, the Mapuche people have various rites of passage where young men participate in a series of rituals and tests that teach them their roles and responsibilities within the tribe.

The importance of these teachings and rituals in the life of a man cannot be understated. In our modern society, such initiations are more important than ever. These indigenous tribe peoples lived extremely intimately in connection with Nature, which I believe plays a big role in allowing us a strong connection to our own true nature, as well as our hearts and bodies. 

Today, a ritualistic initiation into Masculinity must include a journey into the Heart. Modern society as well as city-living has severed our connection with the natural world and has conditioned men out of their hearts.

Not only has this become highly apparent in my years of working with men, and leading men circles. I also have my own experience as the greatest evidence...