Men's Body Temple

Stand in front of a mirror and look at your body. Slow down. Notice where your eyes skip, where there's insecurity you've gotten so used to that it's become invisible in your experience. How fully can you be with every part of yourself, including the corners you never look at?

If you can do this with your own body, can you do it with other men's? Or is there an invisible wall: that this would be too gay or too intimate, to really meet the essence of a man with your eyes? How does it feel to let yourself be seen by other men?

Sometimes I am envious of the women in my life, because they have a kind of village around the body that I, as a man, have always lacked. They can be naked together, celebrate each other's bodies, and be close and sensual. I feel sad about how it's different for men, how most of us carry internalized homophobia or a "do it alone" men's culture that prevents us from being close in this way. Even in the most conscious of sexuality spaces, I sense subtle avoidance between men and each other's bodies.

This is a night for reversing that. Most men have lost comfort being with the male body at all, beginning with their own. So that's where we begin. We'll find new corners of ourselves to inhabit, new levels of presence to settle into, with targeted mirror work, somatic exercises, and the gaze of other men (if you want it). We'll deepen our ability to be with our bodies and grow our capacity to be sensual, at ease, vulnerable, confident, and loved. We'll do this together, closing the distance between us and our bodies, and from us to other men.

Join us at your edge. For some, that will simply be seeing their own body and really looking. For others, processing layers of shame and non-presence that come up. For others, letting themselves be seen in their bareness and vulnerability, letting other men meet them with reverence.

The arc of the night:

- We'll begin with embodiment, trust-building, and connection exercises.

- Then solo guided mirror work for exploring our relationship to our bodies. (We'll have both hand and full-length mirrors) - Followed by processing and healing emotions that have arisen, and then somatic exercises for letting the body speak in its own voice. - We'll close with a special space where, if you choose, you can be seen by other men and offer the same reverence back.

- At all times, you choose your level of participation. Nudity will be permitted, but it'll be completely fine to go through the entire night completely clothed.

Who this is for: anyone with a male body. If you have questions about whether this night is for you, reach out.

This is not a space for sexual interaction with others. Self-directed sensuality is welcome.

What to bring: yourself, in comfortable clothing. If you have a hand mirror you like, you can bring that.

When: Friday, July 3rd, 7-10pm

Where: Alchemy House Oakland (East Lake Merritt; exact location sent after registration)

Cost: $50

About Daway & Bobby: We're metamours who have experienced that we can love each other with mutual empowerment and without competition. We occupy two physical body poles — Daway is 5'5" and Bobby is 6'6". We're holding this event because we believe in a world where men can love their bodies, be present with themselves, build emotional connection with other men, and inhabit their sensuality. We hold a deep trust in the power of group and the wisdom of the body.

Daway (www.dawaychouren.com) is the main spaceholder of Rage Club SF. He cares about empowering people to live out their dreams and put their voice into the world.

Bobby is a transformational ritualist. He is part of the team holding the 6-week Highden Temple training "The Eros of Beauty."