Chris Christopher
President MDI
Firepit Chat
Two weeks ago, 92 men – 74 participants and 18 leaders – left home.
They did so to attend The Art of Masculinity (TAOM) in California.
Many participants were already members of Mentor, Discover, Inspire (MDI). Others came just to ‘check it out.’ But it turns out there are no ‘observers’ at this event. It lasted two-and-a-half days but, before bed on Friday night, all were completely engaged. When you come to TAOM, expect to participate fully: it just happens.
TAOM takes men to their core. It helps men let go of whatever it is that holds them back in life. It connects men together, teaches them how to connect with one other to prepare to face the world – the world outside the room. It teaches crucial lessons and, as importantly, it instructs men on how to use a team faster than any other event we have.
‘Doug’s Journey,’ our euphemism for a man’s journey to mature masculine leadership, begins with an immersion into basic masculinity. MDI hopes to enroll men into starting their journey with us via TAOM: it is our
preferred first step.
It isn’t the only way to start, but it is our preferred way. We ask men to leave home – perhaps not for the first time, but for another important step in masculine maturity. They needn’t leave for long: two-and-a-half days is enough. It’s enough to connect with other men we know are ready to start their own journey to mature masculine leadership.
After this TAOM, I am more energized than ever about our mission to bring men to their own journey. At TAOM we explore all the things women think about men, a process both fun and scary: when we men are not engaged in being mature masculine leaders, we can be pretty crummy.
TAOM makes me realize I have a stake in every man, and I now carry a new context when I look at men: I am because men are.
I have a stake in what all men do because women
and children see all men in me, not me alone. As men of MDI, we are called to paint a better picture of all men, not just some men. TAOM creates an environment that powerfully – and quickly – allows us to begin work on that better picture.
Our future calls us to reach out to men and start them on their own Doug’s Journey. The 100+ MDI members who have completed TAOM experienced the power of this event: talk to them.
If you have not yet attended TAOM, put it on your schedule: it’s this December in Vancouver, Canada.
There will be at least one more in the east, and one in the west, in 2026. Be there.
Most of all, find the men you know who needTAOM and help start them on the path to mature masculinity.
The President’s Vision:
Built on a foundation of men’s circles, we seek out and lead men on a journey to mature masculinity, and the joys of the leadership that follows.
