The Heart of Brotherhood - A Mindful MenLiving retreat

There is much in our past that we can recall fondly. However, without Mindfulness, parts of our past, such as how we were treated as children and the history of our families and communities, silently shape how we feel and automatically act. Put differently, we often are unknowingly chained to our past conditioning in ways that cause us to suffer in the present. This dynamic often plays out in our relationships with others and can become detrimental in our development of authentic connections with others, especially with other men.

Please join us as we unveil the next generation of Mindful Man, “Mindful Men Living!” A hybrid of sorts between Mindful Man of the past and MenLiving, a men’s organization with the vision of a world of healthy, intentional, connected men. During this weekend retreat we will explore how Mindfulness helps us shine the light of awareness both on the forces that have shaped us as men and how those forces live on within us to this day. When we do that, can we begin to let go of the hurtful parts of the past that can bind us to those beliefs.

As always, we will explore our topic by practicing mindful meditation, movement and sharing in a caring, safe and supportive environment largely in noble silence. In addition, we will incorporate a nightly men’s circle to share experiences and incorporate other processes throughout the weekend that encourage authentic connection in alignment with MenLiving’s 5 suggestions for living fully.

This retreat is appropriate both for men who are new to Mindfulness and meditation and for experienced practitioners.

Prices: $240 per person on registrations received by March 17, 2023. ($250.00 thereafter until March 27). Fees cover 2 nights lodging, towels, bedding, the meeting room, and six vegetarian meals starting with dinner on Friday. All rooms have private baths. NOTE: If rooms at the retreat center are sold out, you can stay at a nearby Hotel and your retreat fees will be adjusted accordingly.

Fees do NOT include compensation for the teachers. Following an ancient tradition, David and Hal offer these teachings freely and will gratefully accept dana, or a free-will offering, at the end of the retreat if you are able and if you find the teachings helpful.

Location: Siena Retreat Center    5637 Erie St · Racine, WI

Times and dates: Registration begins promptly at 4:30 p.m. on Friday March 31, 2023 followed by dinner at 5:30 and our initial program beginning at 6:45. Please arrive no later than 4:30 so you can get your room assignment and enjoy dinner before we settle in and begin. A schedule of events will be clearly posted outlining the remainder of our time together until we conclude and depart at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 2.

Comfort: Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. If you use a meditation cushion or bench, please bring it. Chairs will be available for meditation. In addition, there will be free time to walk the beautiful grounds of the retreat center, so bring appropriate shoes or boots. Please note that much of this retreat will be conducted in Noble Silence.

The facilitators: Hal Dessel, a meditator since 1964, is a psychotherapist in Milwaukee specializing in addictions and trauma recovery. Mindfulness and 12-Step spirituality are core to both his professional and personal life.

David Haskin has practiced meditation since 1971 and is an ordained member of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s core practice community, the Order of Interbeing. He teaches Mindfulness widely, including to men’s groups, prison inmates, and those in recovery.

David and Hal are dear friends who have led retreats together for almost 30 years. They are co-founders of Mindful Man.

Please follow registration and payment procedure outlined here:

COVID-19 safety measures

Event will be indoors

Masks are optional