The New Warrior Training Adventure has been described by thousands of men as the most powerful personal growth opportunity they have ever experienced.
The NWTA is a modern male initiation and self-examination, that we believe is crucial to the development of a healthy and mature male, no matter how old a man is. It is the “hero’s journey” of classical literature and myth that has nearly disappeared in modern culture. We ask men to stop living vicariously through movies, television, addictions and distractions and step up into their own adventure—in real time and surrounded by other men.
We hope and pray that there will come a time soon when life will return to normal, and we will have the privilege of rescheduling the training. Until then, we invite you to visit our I-Groups, where the work—our work—continues.
Who, what and where?
You will join a group of between 15 and 40 other men at a camp or retreat facility. We recommend that men drive no more than 3 hours to the training site. You will be asked to car-pool, in line with a commitment to ecological consciousness and as a way of beginning to create connections and camaraderie with the other men attending the training.
For a 48-hour period, from the time the training starts to when it completes (with meals, breaks and time for sleep), you will be asked to join in a series of processes and activities—all designed with one goal in mind—to help every man at the training step into his own unique sense of himself as a man among men. Some of the activities are individual, many are group processes. There are physical activities, writing, visualizations. It will be one of the most action packed weekends of your life.
You will be guided on this journey by a group of 25 to 50 staff men. Some of these men will be staffing for the first time, others will have decades of experience and advanced training. Each staff man will play a role in creating the weekend experience.
On the last day of the training, after celebrating your success, you will return home. It is a good idea to have a quiet evening planned. Some men choose to take the following day off in order to digest their experience and catch up on sleep. It will be up to you what you do with what you have learned about yourself and other men. For many men, the next sunrise is the beginning of a life with a renewed sense of vitality and purpose.
What aspects of a man's life are examined?
We look at nearly every aspect of a man’s life:
- Where you came from and how you were raised.
- What you learned about how to be a man.
- What you want for your future.
- What you want for yourself and for others.
- How you handle your past. (and how to break free of it)
- How you deal with conflict.
- How you learn to be more effective.
- How you deal with being alone OR being a part of a team.
- How you handle fear, anger, shame, joy, sadness.
- What your unique purpose for being is. (and how to move toward it)
- How you fit in to the natural world.
- How you fit in as a man among men.
- What is your relationship to your power as a man?
- What is your relationship to your spirituality?
- What is your relationship to death?
- What is your relationship to women?
- What is your relationship to your body and sexuality?
Who comes to the training?
During your training you will stand shoulder to shoulder with an immensely rich mix of masculinity, with occupations and ages as wide as masculinity itself. Whether they’re corporate executives or college students, all come to share a common understanding that their lives as men can be empowered with greater focus and direction, and that this personal initiation into manhood is crucial to their full development as men.
Some men come to heal. Some men come to find role models for positive and mature masculinity. Some men come to explore their Leadership abilities and expand their skills. Some men come to make a conscious transition from adolescent life to the life of a man. Some men come to find peace of mind in their transition to elder-hood. All men come because a small voice within them lets them know when it’s time.
How do I know if I am ready?
We do not recommend this training for every man. We urge you not to apply to this program without serious forethought, and not to enroll simply at the urging of a spouse or friend.
You must be highly committed to your life, and ready to participate fully in all training activities, many of which encourage you to take a hard look at yourself, your deepest fears, your wounds from the past, and how you are willing to learn what you can do to take control of and improve your life. We choose to work only with men who are ready, and willing to do this initiatory work with us.
Why are you called New Warriors?
The energy of the warrior is needed today from men and women of conscience. We distinguish ourselves from the “Old” warrior, the obsolete and morally bankrupt soldier of fortune, whose actions are centered around personal gain and whose purpose is harmful to himself and those around him. The old warrior uses machismo, rage and intimidation to get respect through fear. The New Warrior is a man who looks inside himself to do battle with the demons in his own soul and emerges with maturity and grounded strength.
What is an initiation?
In almost every global culture, rites of passage taught boys how to be men and become productive members of the ‘tribe’. Often these experiences were harrowing and physically painful. These days, that old kind of initiation is no longer appropriate, safe, or useful. (though dangerous initiations are still occurring in gangs, fraternities and adolescent acts of rebellion) Initiation – MKP has created a modern initiation for men. The modern initiation is safe, non-shaming, and focused on the problems that face men in the 21st century. We conduct an initiation because we believe it is absolutely necessary for a man to learn in an unequivocal way; what he is capable of, why he is here, and how to engage fully in his life.
With this knowledge, a modern man is freed to make choices, take risks and assume full responsibility for his life. This is not a hazing ritual or an entrance to a fraternal organization; this is a challenging 48 hour experience that will likely have life-changing effects. Not every man is ready for our training, but every man can gain something when he is willing to take that step. Our training may have aspects of other workshops you have experienced, but the power of initiation is in the challenge. This is not a spa, not a retreat, not a weekend getaway. It is an entry point into a new way of being you.
Is this training suitable for Hebrew speakers?
If you have a question about the New Warrior Training Adventure that is not listed here or available at mankindproject.org, we invite you to get in touch with us.