About Flesh & Spirit Community

History and Philosophy

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Since Flesh & Spirit's inception in Cincinnati Ohio in 1992,it has developed into a Bay Area community supporting queer men on a path of liberation. Healing,integrating and celebrating queer men's bodies and  the erotic as sacred has been a reclaiming principle in Flesh & Spirit Community. A separate community of women has also formed supporting women on anecstatic path. Additionally,a small men's community began in Melbourne Australia but was not sustainable for now.

The basic philosophy of Flesh & Spirit Community is a weave of loving ideas, concepts and practices from many traditions such as, Buddhism, Tantra, Taoism, African & Native American spiritualities, Christianity,Wicca, Judaism, Sufism, Feminist theory, congruence theory, liberation theology,healing/recovery models,behavioral medicine,energy medicine and body oriented therapies.

A predominant theme of Flesh & Spirit Community is that of being "survivors and thrivers" through our queer male bodies. There are six archetypal images that seem to embody the essence of these notions of thriving used in Flesh & Spirit work: The Peaceful Warrior, The Lover, The Sacred Prostitute, The Elder, The Mystic and The Prophet.

The themes from these archetypes, although not unique to queer men seem especially applicable to queer men on an ecstatic/erotic spiritual path. This ecstatic path is like a road map to success and activating one's purpose as both individuals and as tribes. This philosophy has also been adopted in the work of The Missing Thread Mystery School which open to is inclusive of all genders and orientations. Bringing wisdom from the queer tribe to entrepreneurs,healers and change agents has been a powerful affirmation of the ecstatic path's applicable to all.

 

 

Philosophy developed by Dr. Kirk Prine, Body Story Expert

Testimonials

 

Brian says...

Daniel says...

Phil says...

 

 

darrylI encourage any brother interested in Flesh & Spirit to experience Ecstatic Massage Training Days

- Darryl

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders after attending the Ecstatic Massage. 

- Mo

Teachers

  • Dr. Kirk Prine, CMT
    is a Body Story Expert, integrative bodyworker, Reiki Master, Ritual Master, former psychotherapist, primary facilitator…
  • Donny Lobree
    is a Body Story Expert, a violinist, practitioner of Iyengar Yoga, bodyworker, Reiki Master, student…
  • Drake
    Energy Healer & Gender ShamanDrake Bear Stephen BA, CHT, RMT, CSPis a Certified Hypnotherapist and…
  • Jim Berenholtz
    is a multifaceted artist who has been training with native cultures in the living wisdom…
  • Nick
    Community ManagerNick is a practicing counselor and healer in San Francisco, who is happy to…
  • Don Clark, Ph.D.
    Don Clark, Ph.D., is the author of the famous book "Loving Someone Gay". For many…
  • Richard Stromer
    is a personal mythologist with a Berkeley-based counseling and teaching practice called Soul Mentor. His…
  • John Ballew
    John Ballew (Guest Staff), is a licensed professional counselor and a massage therapist in private…
  • Hunter Flournoy
    is a teacher in the Toltec Eagle Knight lineage of Don Miguel Ruiz, a shamanic…
  • Barbara J. Buckley
    is a counselor, spiritual teacher and healer.A clinical social worker working with cancer patients, she…
  • Rev. Dan Newman PhD, DD, CT.
    is a holistic health consultant, Native American practitioner, artist, safer sex educator and holistic workshop…
  • Ed Wyre
    has been walking in beauty for more than a decade first by facilitating GaySpirit Drum…
  • Rafael Miguel Díaz, Ph.D.
    is the Director of the César E. Chávez Institute, San Francisco State University. Rafael has…
  • Andrew Ramer
    Andrew Ramer is the author of Two Flutes Playing, Elder to Gay Spirit Visions in…
  • Steve Marlowe
    is a healer, teaching Reiki master, and Peaceful Warrior teacher. He has been planning and…