Episode #15 feat. Rich Gierak

What happens when a man in formation to become clergy realizes his chosen spiritual path is lacking something essential because it isn't speaking to him as a man?

In this fifteenth episode of Follow Me to the M-R-O-P!, host Brian Mueller sits down with Rich Gierak for an engaging conversation about his 2006 initiation at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Rich shares how he embarked on a three-day motorcycle ride to reach the rites, intentionally setting aside expectations to embrace a "beginner's mind" and going "all in" on the experience.

Rich speaks with insight about transitioning from the boyhood foundational skills of the Scouts into a mature, adult understanding of masculinity. From reading Richard Rohr on a church retreat to helping establish the Northern California chapter of Illuman, Rich’s story highlights why winning stops teaching us anything in the second half of life, and why a healthy male identity must be nurtured shoulder-to-shoulder with other men.

Episode Highlights

• The Wild Man's Journey: How a book read on a church retreat sparked a 20-year involvement with men's initiation.
• The Motorcycle Pilgrimage: Setting the intentions of an open heart and a "beginner's mind" during a three-day ride to Ghost Ranch.
• Beyond the Boys: Transitioning from the valuable lessons of the Boy Scouts into the deeper work of mature adult masculinity.
• Iron Sharpens Iron: Why a healthy male identity must be nurtured in the shoulder-to-shoulder company of other men.

Links & Resources

• Choosing Presence (Sponsor): https://choosingpresence.org
• Practicing Presence App: https://choosingpresence.org/app
• Illuman MROP page: https://illuman.org/mrop
• Adam's Return by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/3PzVESH
• Falling Upward by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/4uUM64P
• Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/47qLNVp
• From Wild Man to Wise Man by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/3PKkHmj
• Brian Mueller (Host): https://brianmueller.com

Credits

• First and foremost, thank you to Rich Gierak for sharing his journey and his heart with us today.
• Thank you to Fr. Richard Rohr and the men of Illuman who have stewarded the Men’s Rites of Passage since 1996.
• Thank you to Jim Heaney and Jim Taylor for their dedication to Choosing Presence.

Music Credits:

• Slow Mo Dreams by Soundroll
• Becoming a Legend by Vens Adams