Sacred Manhood and Sacred Identity for All
“Sacred masculinity really starts with the premise that we’re all sacred. All nature is sacred – men, women, children, elders…however you identify, you’re sacred.”
Jerry Tello is of Mexican, Texan and Coahiltecan ancestry and has worked for 40+ years as a leading expert in transformational healing for men and boys of color. His recent interview with Bioneers beautifully connects inspired wisdom and promise of healing with the practical day-to-day binding up of long-standing wounds. (For the entire interview go here)
The heart of the healing work is acknowledging and honoring the sacredness of who we all are. This indicates all those spiritual values originating in a sacred source. Therefore, anything unlike this sacredness is toxic and must be removed.
But what if you don’t know your original state of sacredness? Without knowing what you are supposed to be then you don’t know what to detoxify. As Jerry says, “It’s like saying no to something, but what do you say yes to?” Know your inherent sacredness, your true spiritual nature, and respect and honor and live that nature outwardly. This is what the focus of his transformational and restorative healing work is all about.
From Jerry’s healing work with those who have suffered from racial injustice, domestic violence and debilitating effects of war, he offers “…it’s not until you’re able to open your heart and know how to work that you are able then to heal your wounds…. In spite of your wounds, in spite of your transgressions, in spite of your issues, you still can come back to that sacredness.”
There is power inherent in this sacred identity – it is described by Jerry as “the honorable warrior” who remains untouched, despite the pain and suffering obscuring the true nature. And it is in recapturing and understanding the sacred narrative of the honorable warrior – one who maintains honor, spirit, integrity (not the Western model that is conquest and dominance) – that restores sacredness.
“That’s the true sense of the warrior: one that has integrity, respect, trust, love, and dignity. Love is a really important part. We have to know how to love ourselves and love others.”
Universal and inclusive sacredness. Thank you, Jerry Tello.
A Nine Year-Old Honorable Warrior Pays the Lunch Debt for His Entire Third Grade Class
We are created for love and generosity! Take a look at Ryan Kirkpatrick’s example. When he found out how much his fellow third-graders owed in lunch debt to West Park Elementary School in Napa, California, he didn’t hesitate. “I can pay for it,” he told his mom. The total was $74.50 and he had saved it from his allowance. “I want kids to feel happy someone cares about them,” said Ryan.
Let’s all be honorable and sacred and do what we can to make someone feel happy that we care about them. Thank you, Ryan Kirkpatrick.
This post is just the best. Thanks for sharing “love” stories with wonderful men in the them.