EP26: Why You Should Join a Men’s Group

“While the wheel may have 30 spokes, the empty hub is its usefulness.” On today’s solo episode of Expansive Intimacy, Jim reads from the ancient Chinese philosophical text the Tao Te Ching, which he was introduced to by the leader of the first men’s group he ever attended. Today Jim draws from a passage in the book which explains that much like a house has four walls but its usefulness lies in the space inside it, the value of a person is measured by the soul. 

 

Like so many of us, Jim has often attempted to quantify his value using numbers and metrics and other tangible measures of worth. When attending his first men’s group meeting, he was eager to prove his worth, to show what he could do. He soon realized it was his ability to be open to listening and learning, to stay present that mattered most, and that it is when we are empty that we have the most to offer.

 

Over the last fifteen years, Jim has been a part of countless men’s groups and retreats, but before that, he was reluctant to take the first step. He shares what he has learned from these experiences, how his groups have expanded and grown and how you can benefit from joining a group of your own.

 

Quotes:

• "I think one of the things that I tend to get stuck on is measuring myself by some number, by some measure of worth that I think can be quantified and recognized." (5:22 | Jim)
• “I wanted to show up and let people know what I was and what I could do in order to prove myself. And it ended up not mattering. What really mattered was that I was just myself, and that I was able to be open and willing to learn, willing to share, and willing to listen.” (6:09 | Jim)
  
• "It's not even a nice-to-have. I think it's crucial for men to be in conversations with other men where they get to show their cards and they get to do that in a way where they're not going to be judged, where they're going to be supported, where they're going to be seen for the struggles that they have." (13:25 | Jim) 
• "Expansive intimacy is a tool set for men to navigate this modern world in a way that they can thrive and their relationships can thrive and all the people around them can thrive and their organizations can thrive." (13:49 | Jim)   
• "This is where men get resourced and supported and can come out of the counting type of self worth stories that we tell ourselves." (14:45 | Jim)

Show Links

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podbean | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music

Connect with Jim Young:

Website: www.thecenteredcoach.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thecenteredcoach

Expansive Intimacy, the book: https://www.amazon.com/Expansive-Intimacy-Tough-Defeat-Burnout/dp/B0BFTSZ4ZG/

 

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The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.

 

Intro Music: Catch It by Coma- Media

Outro Music: Upbeat Funky Retro by QubeSounds

 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm