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Sometimes it’s refreshing and educational to share regrets on

our hike. Just processing out loud with a fair non-judgemental

listener is highly valuable. Our hikes always provide an

environment of freedom to risk embarrassment. Sometimes it’s

just a share and sometimes it’s valuable feedback that leads to a

different and valuable new perspective.

The sense of freedom provided by open space is invaluable. No

walls, no ceilings, no calls, no texts, just clean air and open space.

I have found most often that my only regrets are in reflection of

missed opportunities I didn’t take. They are lessons to me in

being present to what I hear and feel. I reflect on remembrances

of being lost in my head, thus being disabled to ask for what I

wanted.

The beauty of reflecting with another on the hill is a level of

presence that is hard to find anywhere else.

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Gary and Bob hiking The Hill (friend and colleague Dr. Robert Land)

Guy Occuhipinti (contractor and fellow adventurer) Sam Pearson (local artist and fellow adventurer) and myself L to R.

Creating “Community” (page 3) began for me in April 1983 with attendance to a very raw intense men’s three day weekend. Being connected as part of a community has been essential to me every since. Now after years of running multiple men’s support groups, vision quests, the military, and my personal men’s group I have fulfilled a passion for connection, and a healing of a childhood wound that I feel a passion to share.

Walking the Hill The Art of Accidental Transformation describes a shared depth of meaning to being connected to each other. Earth and spirit. Mark and I cut a trail aided by earth, raw expression of thoughts and feelings, and our depth of commitment to push our limits at least two to three times a week. We cut a spiritual trail if you will for all. I have added many friends, colleagues and clients over the years. The circle has expanded fulfilling a commitment and a passion. That includes both friends and clients. It’s fulfilling to me to know that most of my Wednesday afternoon men’s group has done the hike and continues to do so adding a depth of connection to each other.

In reflection the community I participated in 1983 now honestly includes thousands of personal connections. Walking the Hill The Art of Accidental Transformation describes a personal journey to wholeness. I invite you to join us.

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This book could not have been written without trauma. It was a motivator for me. The darkness of abandonment in childhood and war became a committed phenomenological study for me.

There is a culture of fear that perpetuates trauma when we can’t talk about it. Rather we find ways to deny, medicate and obfuscate the pain. I committed to study it so as not to become it.

The blessing of abandonment for me was the time for observation and introspection. The blessing of the military was the discipline to attack and pursue a better path than my ancestors. Eventually hurt turned to anger and a drive to do better than they. I went from thought to action. My college courses and working with people of all ages helped me understand and give meaning to people’s suffering. I was committed to have my life be different.

Part of our hikes included revisiting our histories of painful events. Having a safe place and person to share story and feelings is an incredible asset to the nervous system. I can’t encourage you enough to create safe places. The three men’s groups I currently run, my personal men’s group, my time on the mountain, and of course my family are all part of my sacred safe circle and invaluable.

Dare to dream a different dream. Walk with Us.

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SAFETY

Safety is a key element of our walks. Not in the way you might imagine. Sure we wear our day packs with the first aid kit, swiss army knife, sting kill, and our specialized gear depending on the weather and season. It’s about 15 lbs. worth of stuff. It’s just smart to be prepared. We have our di rigor gear etc. etc. and of course some of our gear is competitive to each other just for fun.

The safety is about being free of shame or judgement. Challenging ourselves and each other’s ideas from an open-hearted perspective is rich. It’s the essence of what make’s my 40+ years of men’s work successful. The first words men use in describing their group is “a safe place”.

The Hill provides a natural format beyond “the room”. The energy is much less contained. There is a freedom to express, risk and challenge. Since publication of our book my Wednesday group meets in a natural setting or hikes together as they now know the value of “The Hill The Art of Accidental Transformation”.

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My walk began with a desire to re-create the childhood adventures I had had with my buddies walking old logging roads in the little logging town of Coos Bay Oregon. After living in Los Gatos California for many years I was driven to find a location to repeat my childhood experience. I was directed by a neighbor to a steep road and finally a gate to a trail. My initial fantasy was to walk up this steep road and walk the trail to the top where I could hike for miles along a relatively flat ridge line. My fantasy was quickly dispelled as I found the trail only stalled on the up in a couple places and then quickly elevated. I now had my adventure and all the cardio exercise I could ever desire. I kicked myself a bit for not having found this trail sooner in life as I was now in my late 50s. However I was soon back on the trail and walking with the adventurous spirit in which I had walked in Coos Bay.

A few years passed and though I loved hiking the trail alone I had the desire to share the experience. I was blessed by Mark’s desire for knowledge and the trail became the ground for the depth of our transformative walk. I will never forget introducing Mark to the road and finally the gate and his startled response to the steepness of only arriving at the entrance: “this is where it STARTS?”

This is where it starts. As you walk with us we hope it brings up your own desire and spirit for adventure and transformation.

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It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.