Another beautiful piece on our retreat by Bev Reeler
Something happened at the end of the year in our Women are Medicine workshop at Kufunda.
Well many, many things happened………
but the story that stays with me at the end was about the men.
Some of the Kufunda men said they wanted to be part of this workshop
so they offered to cook for us……………………
A group of young men and boys from the youth group
gathered in the kitchen every day
chopping and laughing and singing to loud music
a different harmony
It was the best food we have ever tasted at Kufunda
and for 4 days, we were nourished by their extraordinary care and generosity
On the closing morning we invited them into the circle
and they stood in the centre
in a circle facing outwards
We welcomed them with a Hopi Indian salute
and the women spoke to them of the gratitude they felt
for the nourishment and care they had given.
Their eyes shone
one of the younger boys shot his fist into the air
‘YES’
Then we asked them to teach us aikido
(for they have been doing it for years now)
to ‘make the cut’……..
to draw our swords and cut our place into the present
cutting away what was no longer helpful and bringing our power into being
Young boys teaching their sisters and wives and grandmothers
how to draw our swords
bringing, with deep focus, our intention in the world
When we were ready we came back to the circle
and as each woman made her cut
there was a young man holding our back
They brought their warriorship
fed us
held the babies
As I drew my sword
a young man 50 years my junior stood behind me
it was an extraordinary experience
some new meeting of energies
combining into a powerful force
Something magic happened
Something that we have never touched
in all years of gender circles
about equality, abuse of women, rape, wife beating
some new energy shifted into place
as they made their cut into the centre of the circle
to ‘hold our backs’
bring their support to this co-creation of feminine and masculine energy
and a new possibility opened up
roll on 2014
Dancing Universe 
Reblogged this on Kufunda Village and commented:
A Reflection from the December Women are Medicine Retreat at Kufunda. It was a beautiful experience of what becomes possible in the dance between men and women – because the men join us too, in service.
This description of the men’s role in your retreat made me weep for joy! Such an amazing experience for all of you! Hurrah!