Wilderness and the Word

A Men’s Journey into Sacred Silence and Soulwork

“In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart”

— Howard Thurman

👨🏽‍🤝‍👨🏿 Open To All Men

🥾 What It Is

A sacred space in nature where men can reconnect with God, hear the divine voice through silence, scripture, and deepen their spiritual walk through contemplative reflection and brotherhood.

At its heart, this experience invites us into contemplation—a reflective spiritual posture that holds the tension between inner transformation (personal piety) and our calling toward justice, compassion, and community repair. This is soulwork that connects stillness with action, rooted in silence but alive with purpose.

🎒 What to Bring

• Comfortable shoes and water bottle

Snack ( list examples)

• A journal (if desired)

• An open heart and a quiet spirit

🔥 What to Expect on the Hike

We gather briefly at the start to introduce ourselves with one simple prompt:

“What brought you here today?”

No need for long stories. Just a word, phrase, or feeling. This small sharing reminds us that we are not walking alone—every man is on a journey.

This is more than just a walk in the woods—it’s a spiritual practice. Our time together will be centered around nature-based mindfulness, scriptural reflection, contemplative silence, and deep listening, helping you slow down and connect deeply with the Divine—however you understand it.

🌿 Nature-Based Meditation

We begin by grounding ourselves in silence and the natural world, walking slowly and attentively. This nature-based mindfulness invites us to experience the sights, sounds, textures, and scents around us without judgment—just presence. As we walk together in quiet awareness, the hike becomes a form of moving meditation, helping us release stress and reconnect with the Spirit that flows through all creation. This practice helps us let go of distractions, stress, and noise, inviting peace into our bodies and clarity into our minds.

📖 Sacred Reflection: The Four Movements of Lectio Divina

During a pause along the trail, we’ll read a short passage of scripture. We’ll move through a guided Lectio Divina (Latin for “Divine Reading”) together, allowing the text to speak to each of us personally and spiritually:

1. Lectio (Read):

The passage is read slowly and aloud.

→ What word or phrase captures your attention?

2. Meditatio (Reflect):

We hear the passage again.

→ Why is this word or phrase speaking to you today?

3. Oratio (Respond):

Each participant silently offers a prayer or internal response.

→ What do you need to say to God (or the Sacred)?

4. Contemplatio (Rest):

We sit in quiet stillness—together, but inward.

→ No more words—just presence. Just listening.

5. (Optional) Actio (Action):

→ What step or transformation is being invited into your life?

This time of reflection happens while seated in nature—no phones, no pressure—just space to listen.

🌄 Why It Matters: The Benefits

• Spiritual renewal through silence, scripture, and nature

• Greater self-awareness and soul clarity through reflection

• Decreased stress and anxiety, grounded in scientific evidence about nature’s healing effect

• Disconnection from digital overload and reconnection with what truly matters

• Community among men who value depth, stillness, and sacred dialogue

• A deeper sense of the sacred—within yourself, in others, and in the world around you

Host or Publisher Street Disciple University