April 9-11, 2004
As gay men, we constantly hear about ourselves from others. We’ve become icons, an obsession of the media, entertainment, religions, and political machines. Yes, gay men of the 21st Century, for better or worse, we are stars!
Whether we’re damned, accepted, applauded, or pilloried, we must not lose sight of who we are within — separate and unique individuals. We must not be deluded by society’s need to categorize, label, and relegate us to some over-generalized pigeon hole. We are simply who we are — men of many stripes and colors, with hearts and souls, of diverse backgrounds, surviving the wounds of childhood, prejudice, and ignorance, men who bring varied gifts to this world, sometimes recognized, sometimes not.
Many of us have learned new ways to communicate and be in relationship with each other. We have found new ways to touch each other — emotionally and physically — in safe, non-threatening ways. Yet many of us still live in frustration at finding that special someone or live in a relationship lacking intimacy. How can we find or trust someone else when we have not found or accepted ourselves? How many of us truly love ourselves?
This is a workshop to honor a vision of gay male wholeness by reclaiming the souls hidden beneath our personas. We will experience our diversity and claim our birthright to be whole as both sexual and spiritual beings. We will pay attention to our bodies erotic maleness through which our spirits seek expression. We will recognize that love begins at home — within ourselves.
Through walking and sitting meditation and the healing aspect of touch and hearing each other’s stories, we will discover what gifts we bring to make what is our unique contribution to this planet. Come learn about yourself. You are more than you had dreamed possible.
All gay, bi and trans men are welcome, regardless of age, HIV status, whether single or in relationship. Bring a generosity of spirit, your laughter, stories and feelings, your hearts, and your uniqueness.
Rob Bauer has been working with gay men for over 17 years as a body-centered psychotherapist. His workshops, including Touching the Body/Healing the Spirit- the Rubenfeld Synergy Method for Gay Men and Gay and Single - What Keeps Us Out of Relationship have been presented across North America, including Omega and Esalen Institutes, Easton Mountain, and Rowe. A CSW who uses the Rubenfeld Synergy Method, Rob has a practice in Saratoga Springs, NY.