The Hidden Spirituality of Men: Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine Paperback – May 19, 2009

It's a bountiful universe in here. I'd been thinking about traditional Jungian archetypes and how - and if - they fit in with the concept of the New Masculine, and suddenly, Matthew Fox's book, "The Hidden Spirituality of Men," shows up.In it, Fox explores ten archetypes, or metaphors, that he believes speak to a revival of the healthy masculine, "indeed, the Sacred Masculine." "The authors of the classic work Green man point out that for Jung, 'an archetype will appear in new form to redress imbalances in society at a particular time when it is needed. According to this theory, therefore, the Green Man is rising up into our present awareness in order to counterbalance a lack in our attitude to Nature.'"Each of the ten archetypes in Fox's book is arising for the same reasons - to redress imbalances in our culture and in our very souls. For the latter flows from the former.It's not that the former archetypes - especially the King and the Warrior - are no longer applicable, but that they, too, are evolving as we evolve.In my workshop, The integral Warrior: Embodying the New Masculine, we're going to be "killing off" the patriarchal properties of these former archetypes so the new archetypes can arise and take their place in a more evolved consciousness. For instance, the Green Man has a fierceness and a determination that parallels the Warrior, and suddenly the Warrior becomes the Spiritual Warrior that stands alongside the Green Man. Without saying so, it appears to me that the King archetype, a model of patriarchy, however soft and benevolent, is replaced by the Blue Man, or Father Sky, who models compassion and creativity, "cunning as snakes and wise as doves." "The green man demands that men stand up. That men become men. Men have been stuck in a daze brought on by modern philosophy, consumerism, and a pseudo-masculine media-promoted identity. The green man calls us to stand for the love of the Earth and the health of future generations. Stand for the trees and the animals that are being destroyed and with them the sustainability of our own species. Stand for community and compassion rather than individual power and domination. Stand for the children and generations to come."Joseph Gelfer, in his book "Numen, Oldmen: Contemporary Masculine Spiritualities and the Problem of Patriarchy," is absolutely correct in his assessment of patriarchal stances in the evangelical, mythopoetical, and even the Integral approach to men's spirituality.Fox's book helps the neo-men's movement (my term) take a fresh look at archetypes without the hard and soft patriarchies of the earlier movement.For me, this is a major component of the New Masculine. This is where I want to go, and I'm going to take as many men with me as I can! [...]

Fox is an excellent writer, and with few exceptions here and there, cogently makes points that track with my own lengthening interest in and history of men's spirituality, especially as it intertwines with men's sexual lives. Most of the ten metaphors that he unpacks and examines are familiar to me, though not all evenly so. Fox's grasp of the history of Christian doctrine alongside his wide-ranging knowledge of Eastern and Native American traditions, makes this book helpful for scholars as well as others. He is, in my opinion, entirely correct about the trouble men are in now, and I believe he poses credible and helpful ways out of our dilemma. I am especially grateful that he manages to support gender balance without in the least compromising the uniqueness of masculine spirituality.

This book had some interesting points, but was a little to scholarly and not enough practical use. More applications for the reader would have made an instant world shaker!

I have purchased this book for my grown sons, my male friends and nephews with a special emphasis on how they deal with their sons' growth and development. I believe it is an important resource for men who wish to reflect on male spiritual growth and the understanding of masculine interior life--whether explicitly religious or not--and to have images and information available for when sons come into the picture. We have gone too long with silent fathers, even when they are not absent, because our women have "done" spiritual life before us. When I presented the book I also gave pictures of the various archetypes (from internet searches) which I think enhance the material for those of us who are more visual than intellectual. Matthew Fox is number one in the male spirituality genre. Thanks.

I lead women's circles, teach about Gaian theory, mythology, female archetypes, earth energetics, medicinal plants and permaculture... in searching for positive male archetypes to balance and support the renewal of the celebration of the feminine divine, this book is exactly what i have dreamed of finding!!It supports that men are more than just the "warrior, lover, magician and king", this takes you into the layers of what it means to be masculine and how to support the masculine in each and every person.... as the balanced polar of the feminine.This is a necessary read for all men as well, to support them in the shifting world and find that they have a deep and centered spirit in the earth, in the cosmos and in humanity which needs to be cultivated and honored!

A beautiful book, full of wisdom for the inner work of all people, not just men.

During the silent sleepy midnight feedings of my new baby, I would read stories, myths, about Copper Woman and other mythical females. They drew me in and connected me deeply to the sacred feminine- as if that were the purpose of nursing and midnight and becoming a new parent. I wish my husband would have had "Hidden Spirituality" to read as well during that hazy dazy time in a new parent's life. So necessary. Thank you, Matthew Fox.

Matthew Fox explores how culture and religion shape our beliefs about manhood and fatherhood. He asks men to be active participants in life rather than couch potatoes passively watching television. He asks men to cultivate their love of life and share their passions as fathers and grandfathers in their communities. Matthew's honesty is refreshing. Matthew's frankness is mind opening.

I enjoyed reading this book but boy is it a heavy read.

Seine Ausführungen erklären die heutige, traurige Situation in der Welt, in der Familie, in Beziehungen, kurzum in allen Bereichen. Es geht um den männlichen Anteil in uns allen. Ohne spirituellen Hintergrund und ohne einem offenen, guten, angstfreien Herzen ist es schwer "Mann" zu sein, Gutes zu schaffen für sich, unsere Mitmenschen, die Nachwelt, auch die Erde, auf der wir leben. Der Kopf allein verführt zu Rollenspiele und Machtgeschichten. Matthew Fox beleuchtet das von vielen Seiten. Er sollte von Männchen und Weibchen gelesen werden, letzteren damit sie die Art des Mannes verstehen und ihm hilfreich zur Seite stehen. Es ist die Zeit reif, dass Patriarchat und Matriarchat gut und bewusst zusammenwirken und zum Wohle der Menschheit aktiv sind. Das wäre dann eine spirituelle und verantwortungsvolle Haltung und würde ein erfülltes Leben bringen, zur Freude der Seele, die ja einmal aufihre Reise geht und mitnimmt was sie gelebt hat, - nichts anderes.

This book is a breakthrough in an understanding of sacred masculinity and deserves a wide audience.It could contribute to a vitally needed change in male behaviour which is sorely needed at this crucial time in human history.

Wow