Ukilái: Annual Gathering of Men

In the face of all the change in the world, how do we keep our orientation and move in a good way? It’s not that traditional societies didn’t have their challenges. But they knew that if they could connect to their core as men, they would always know who they were and, therefore, their purpose and direction. Spirit would take care of the rest. In the remote Sierra Madres of northwestern Mexico men still come together with the help of their elders to re-forge and deepen this awareness for the benefit of themselves, their families and their communities. The word they use for this gathering is ukilái.

We have this same opportunity to join as men: To shake off whatever is blocking our view and be better prepared to work with whatever challenges are coming our way. The Sacred Fire Community is offering this men’s work led by don David Wiley. Don David is a fully initiated elder in two ancestrally-related traditions. He does teaching, healing, and ritual work around the world and has provide ukilái gatherings to men for over 15 years. Being born and raised in our modern western culture, yet being steeped in traditional wisdom, he brings a unique grounding to what it is to be male.

This will be the second ukilái held in Rannoch Moor, Scotland, next to the sacred mountain Schiehallion, regarded as the geographical heart of Scotland and the site of the first ever experiment designed to measure the mass of the Earth. Past ukiláis have been held in the Catskills of New York, the mountains of Northern California and Utah, the mountains of Mexico and the Australian Outback.

Here is what past participants had to say:

“I have noticed a profound shift in the way I move in my daily life. The simplest routine tasks elicit deep emotions of reflection and peace.”

—Alan Kerner, Traditional Healer (mara’akame in the Huichol tradition)

“I had an amazing time at the men’s retreat.  It inspired me to live my life differently, prioritizing values, like my family, which are very dear to me.”

—John Huang, Sacred Fire Community Firekeeper

“Situations can be met directly and openly, without a strategy and without aggression. This feels both powerful and gentle at the same time; an expanding of awareness of what it is to be ‘male’.”

—Tom Edwards, Moab resident

Pricing

895.00

Registration

The price of the program is $895 USD, which currently translates to approximately £680. Price includes accommodation and food from evening meal on arrival to breakfast on departure.

Our online registration system allows us to receive money in US dollars only, and practicalities dictate that we peg the US dollar amount as the price of the event. This should not prevent payments made with a credit card from being placed in the UK. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience.

If you have any questions about this event or need assistance registering, please contact Jeff Bartlett using the contact information provided below.