andrew cohen
October 2008 
The New Man -Perspectives on Masculinity in the 21st Century
Posted on Jul 24th, 2008
by 
Albert
Albert
This is from the new issue of WIE:
"Constructing the New Man
Perspectives on Masculinity in the 21st Century
Continuing the inquiry that began with last summer’s widely discussed issue on women, WIE presents an in-depth look at the twenty-first-century man. What is authentic masculinity today? How has the move toward gender equality changed society’s rules—and roles—for men? Is there a “new man” emerging on the horizon, ready and willing to reshape our culture in the coming decades? Approaching these questions and others through a multidimensional lens, WIE delivers one of our most culturally provocative issues yet. Featuring: Ken Wilber, Andrew Cohen, Ani DiFranco, Harvey Mansfield, Jean Houston, Jenny Wade, Erwin McManus, Rebecca Walker, and more."
I can only welcome-once again- the WIE endevor to pull some most important challenges into the spotlight of attention. Since many years -30 years - these provocative issues were part of my own life too. The book King, Warrior, Magician, Lover from Moore and Gilette picked up some aspects earlier.
A new dynamics of masculine feminine and male female energies is emerging. I found deep resonance especially in conversations with very strong, intelligent and conscious , female women in the last years. As much with men of this new consciousness. However this communication at the edge is seldom seeing the light of a broader public up to now!
New agy stereotypes of men and their supposed androgyny dominated the post Johnn Wayne time for a long time. Now the time has come to manifest something radicaly new.
Thx to Andrew and the WIE Team a new round of discussions will be initiated.
Editorial
by Andrew Cohen
What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to be a man at the beginning of the twenty-first century in a post-traditional, postmodern world? Who are our exemplars, and to whom can we look for mentorship as it relates to gender identity in our own time? If we look backward for indications of how to be men in the new world that we're all creating together, we're unlikely to find what we need. Why? Because the world that we're living in is changing at a faster rate than it ever has before. Cultural evolution, which has progressed through history from traditional to modern to postmodern values, is very much in a state of flux, transition, and to put it bluntly, existential confusion. The truth is, these days most sophisticated men and women aren't very clear about what it's supposed to mean to be male or female. I know in my own case, being a late-blooming boomer from a liberal, progressive family, the subject of what it means to be a man literally never came up. (Although I must admit, Superman was my favorite superhero when I was a kid!)
In order to address this enormous void in our evolving culture, we at What Is Enlightenment? have put together what we believe is a very compelling collection of articles, interviews, and dialogues that, I must admit, raise more questions than give answers. But that's what we felt we needed to do: Get the conversation going! I, for one, am pleased with the result. This has been an educational journey for all of us here and one that we feel will hopefully bring a little bit of light and energy to an important dimension of our collective lives that needs to be illuminated.
In our special feature, "Constructing the New Man," we present four perspectives on manliness in the twenty-first century from men with very different backgrounds, ages, and viewpoints. In "What Ever Happened to the Vikings?" senior editor Elizabeth Debold presents a provocative and hard-hitting exposé of the predicament in which men find themselves in some of the most progressive countries on our small planet. In "Speaking of Men," we ask nineteen powerful, influential, thoughtful, and accomplished women to describe their vision of what the next step for men might be. In "Confessions of a Formerly Sensitive New Age Man," my colleague Ross Robertson describes in excruciating detail what it was like to grow up in the 1970s in Northern California, guided carefully into manhood by an adoring psychotherapist who happened to be his mother. Finally, in my "Guru and Pandit" dialogue with philosopher Ken Wilber, we endeavor to embrace this entire topic in the biggest context we can.
I'm sure you will enjoy this heady brew!
On another note, we're all thrilled to announce that with the next issue, we're changing the name of our publication from What Is Enlightenment? to EnlightenNext. Turn to page 4 for an explanation of why that is and what other exciting changes there are to look forward to.
Thank you for your interest, enthusiasm, and support!
"Constructing the New Man
Perspectives on Masculinity in the 21st Century
Continuing the inquiry that began with last summer’s widely discussed issue on women, WIE presents an in-depth look at the twenty-first-century man. What is authentic masculinity today? How has the move toward gender equality changed society’s rules—and roles—for men? Is there a “new man” emerging on the horizon, ready and willing to reshape our culture in the coming decades? Approaching these questions and others through a multidimensional lens, WIE delivers one of our most culturally provocative issues yet. Featuring: Ken Wilber, Andrew Cohen, Ani DiFranco, Harvey Mansfield, Jean Houston, Jenny Wade, Erwin McManus, Rebecca Walker, and more."
I can only welcome-once again- the WIE endevor to pull some most important challenges into the spotlight of attention. Since many years -30 years - these provocative issues were part of my own life too. The book King, Warrior, Magician, Lover from Moore and Gilette picked up some aspects earlier.
A new dynamics of masculine feminine and male female energies is emerging. I found deep resonance especially in conversations with very strong, intelligent and conscious , female women in the last years. As much with men of this new consciousness. However this communication at the edge is seldom seeing the light of a broader public up to now!
New agy stereotypes of men and their supposed androgyny dominated the post Johnn Wayne time for a long time. Now the time has come to manifest something radicaly new.
Thx to Andrew and the WIE Team a new round of discussions will be initiated.
Editorial
by Andrew Cohen
What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to be a man at the beginning of the twenty-first century in a post-traditional, postmodern world? Who are our exemplars, and to whom can we look for mentorship as it relates to gender identity in our own time? If we look backward for indications of how to be men in the new world that we're all creating together, we're unlikely to find what we need. Why? Because the world that we're living in is changing at a faster rate than it ever has before. Cultural evolution, which has progressed through history from traditional to modern to postmodern values, is very much in a state of flux, transition, and to put it bluntly, existential confusion. The truth is, these days most sophisticated men and women aren't very clear about what it's supposed to mean to be male or female. I know in my own case, being a late-blooming boomer from a liberal, progressive family, the subject of what it means to be a man literally never came up. (Although I must admit, Superman was my favorite superhero when I was a kid!)
In order to address this enormous void in our evolving culture, we at What Is Enlightenment? have put together what we believe is a very compelling collection of articles, interviews, and dialogues that, I must admit, raise more questions than give answers. But that's what we felt we needed to do: Get the conversation going! I, for one, am pleased with the result. This has been an educational journey for all of us here and one that we feel will hopefully bring a little bit of light and energy to an important dimension of our collective lives that needs to be illuminated.
In our special feature, "Constructing the New Man," we present four perspectives on manliness in the twenty-first century from men with very different backgrounds, ages, and viewpoints. In "What Ever Happened to the Vikings?" senior editor Elizabeth Debold presents a provocative and hard-hitting exposé of the predicament in which men find themselves in some of the most progressive countries on our small planet. In "Speaking of Men," we ask nineteen powerful, influential, thoughtful, and accomplished women to describe their vision of what the next step for men might be. In "Confessions of a Formerly Sensitive New Age Man," my colleague Ross Robertson describes in excruciating detail what it was like to grow up in the 1970s in Northern California, guided carefully into manhood by an adoring psychotherapist who happened to be his mother. Finally, in my "Guru and Pandit" dialogue with philosopher Ken Wilber, we endeavor to embrace this entire topic in the biggest context we can.
I'm sure you will enjoy this heady brew!
On another note, we're all thrilled to announce that with the next issue, we're changing the name of our publication from What Is Enlightenment? to EnlightenNext. Turn to page 4 for an explanation of why that is and what other exciting changes there are to look forward to.
Thank you for your interest, enthusiasm, and support!
Access: Public
Finally this issue is out!
It honors EnlightenNext to put women first:):)
However this theme is in no way complete without this new perspectives on new masculinity.
I confess I have to learn LOTS .here. But I am pursuing this. And beyond all the dramas, beyond countless confusions, cul de sacs, blind spots and misunderstandings bright possibilites emerge here.
I am very curious what the 19 powerful women have to say. And how mothers, grandmothers from all parts of the world are seeing it all. Its one aspect I am often missing. Either you live a single existence or with rich family life like I do. What could be when all these planets are coming together .and new men and new women meet each other….touch these dynamics in themselves and co-create something completely new….
No idea…what it could be..but I am yearning to dive deeper here..being something afraid..yes.but the passion for risking it,is stronger.):)
Thanks EnlightenNext!
Anitta
Dear Anitta, thx. There is so much to realize about it. nearly every other issue is galvanized or blocked by this perspective . Inanother article of htis WIE issue
A Call to Arms for the Postmodern Male
Andrew says this:
“I'll never forget my surprise when I discovered a hidden secret about some men who have seriously considered this question. I'm talking about men who are invested in being tough and who can project an air of confidence that is uniquely masculine-the kind of man that I at one time in my life had aspired to be. I'm talking about students of mine who were martial artists of high attainment. I was amazed when I discovered that whenever one of these tough guys was in a situation that required that they trust a little more and give up a bit of the control they were so invested in, they usually fell into an utter panic. Underneath their bravado, even though they weren't afraid of a street fight, they were terrified of real intimacy, especially spiritual intimacy. Ironically, this would come to the surface especially when they came together with other men-spiritual brothers who were committed to creating a new culture together, a culture based upon higher values, the evolution of consciousness, and the commitment to be strong, transparent, and authentic at all times. ”
As you know I was enmgaged myself for 3 decades in tough, even brutal amrtial arts training from tournament to Stret Fighting. And I can endorse Andrew statement to 10 Percent. And I see it now too at many edges of human consciousness. Even the innovation edge. Lots of me are lacking these qualties however strong in competence, intelligence and professionalism, i nealry everything might be.
They are whips and cowards when it comes to true intimacy and facing their deepest interiors., their deepest yearnings and passions.
Time to awaken again and again to this masculinity. I know women are demanding it too.):)
Albert, you are wise among men. How are you doing it? Is it because you've 'separated' yourself and sought your own way?
I have been observing this 'phenomenon' myself, where although I cannot say that it is a question of patriarchy in our societies causing particular behaviours, our history implies that men have been privileged to certain responses to certain behaviours. The idea of 'giving up' control seems to place them in a position of 'then what will I get'? Fear of the unknown in a different and really REALLY personal form.
I actually think that the privileges of not being required to do more than set out and conquer, even if they choose to do more than that, are what made many men 'comfortable'… maybe too comfortable? In a general sense, women have been doing a lot of the maneuvring and self flexing in their time, to deal with family - including their man - and keeping stability in their homes. This is expected of them. This isn't necessarily expected of our men.
In a changing time where all are being asked to demonstrate their contribution, women including myself, are reasonably asking “Why should I carry my load and anybody else's in the family, for the species?” “Who wrote those messed up rules?”
There's more to what I'm saying but I wanted to put this down quickly and return.
Thanks for sharing with us Albert. Best to you. sherri
Sherri….what do you mean by separatedß
The contrary is the case…I am very well connected .. I am simply exercising the paradoxon of autonomy and communion. Learning with and from conscious women as much as of conscious men. Not faling into the multiple traps of peculiar idealaism, romanticism, playing manipulative games, hidden agendas , moralism , spiritual and political correctness ety. its never a lillywhite game.
its a deep connecteness beneath social exteriors and conventions. Ralf Waldo Emerson expressed so much of it already in his wonderful essays.
its all about loosing face and risking the broken heart in infinity.While every form of finity must be embraced and expressed with responsibility.
Very best,
Albert
This is the only significant way. Honesty, peelilng back with sincerity and heart like you said.
Emerson - inspiring, a hero.
Love and care to you. sherri
Its indeed Hercules Work. Comparable with the tough initiations of shamans in the desert or mountains. Experiencing no reference solitude for months. Risking to loose everything..
To communicate with other men without irony, cynism, manipulative games too. Without hidden agendas, without strategic calculus, fully open to ones own faliures and blind spots.
Again and again I come back to this quote from Graf Dürkheim. 25 years ago I was a student of him for a short time and this quote is from his book “WAY of Transformation”.
The Way of Transformation
The man who, being really on the Way, falls upon hard times in the world will not, as a consequence, turn to that friend who offers him refuge and comfort and encourages his old self to survive.
Rather, he will seek out someone who will faithfully and inexorably help him to risk himself, so that he may endure the suffering and pass courageously through it, thus making of it a “raft that leads to the far shore.”
Only to the extent that man exposes himself over and over again to annihilation, can that which is indestructible arise within him. In this lies the dignity of daring. Thus, the aim of (spiritual) practice is not to develop an attitude which allows a man to acquire a state of harmony and peace wherein nothing can ever trouble him. On the contrary, practice should teach him to let himself be assaulted, perturbed, moved, insulted, broken and battered - that is to say, it should enable him to dare to let go his futile hankering after harmony, surcease from pain, and a comfortable life in order that he may discover, in doing battle with the forces that oppose him, that which awaits him beyond the world of opposites.
The first necessity is that we should have the courage to face life, and to encounter all that is most perilous in the world. When this is possible, meditation itself becomes the means by which we accept and welcome the demons which arise from the unconscious, a process very different from the practice of concentration on some object as a protection against such forces.
Only if we venture repeatedly through zones of annihilation can our contact with Divine Being, which is beyond annihilation, become firm and stable. The more a man learns whole-heartedly to confront the world that threatens him with isolation, the more are the depths of the Ground of Being revealed and the possibilities of New Life and Becoming opened.