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My own experience of Rites of Passage
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The definition that I would like to use for a Rite of Passage is any event that creates a milestone in your life. That is any event which occurs after which you are not the same, after which you will be different forever. It can be good or bad.
When I was 18 and I went overseas on my own for a year, in the age before emails and skype, that was a real ROP. For the first time I had to look after myself, I made all the decisions about how I would spend my time and who I would spend it with. I had to manage my own money and could eat or drink whatever I wanted, as long as I felt that I could afford it.
For me I would say that when my wife and I separated and I had my 1 and 3 year old son to look after on my own for 6 months. That was definitely a ROP and totally changed not only me but how I looked at parenting and my whole relationship with my sons. It was a hugely difficult time in so many ways but also incredibly rewarding and one of the most special and wonderful things I have ever done in my life.
Graduating as a doctor was a ROP. There was a big gathering at the university and all my family were there. All the new doctors had to wear black cloaks and square hats with pointed corners, I was given a certificate in front of everyone and then I was officially a doctor and it was even put into my name with two new letters.
A ROP can be an event that changes us for the better or it can be one that is damaging. The aim of our organisation, The Australian Rites of Passage Institute, is to create ROP that are positive events in the lives of young people all over Australia and around the world. We do this by understanding what a ROP is, what the elements necessary to create one are and how to do it in such a way that the young person involved benefits.
What is a Rite of Passage?
Interestingly, there is great confusion and even disagreement about what a ROP is Stop and think for a moment. What does a ROP mean for you?
I have spoken to many people and it means very different things to different people, including the first time they got drunk, turning 18, leaving home, losing their virginity, getting married, getting their first job or even joining the army.
However the definition that I would like to use is that a ROP is any event that creates a milestone in your life. That is any event which occurs after which you are not the same, after which you will be different forever. It can be good or bad.
Using this definition brings in many other events as being able to be defined as a ROP including situations such as getting fired from your job, a big car accident, divorce, a serious illness or going bankrupt.
A ROP can be an event that changes us for the better or it can be one that is damaging.
The aim of our organisation, The Australian Rites of Passage Institute, is to create ROP that are positive events in the lives of young people all over Australia and around the world.
We do this by understanding what a ROP is, what the elements necessary to create one are and how to do it in such a way that the young person involved benefits.
A ROP can be an event that changes us for the better or it can be one that is damaging.
The aim of our organisation, The Australian Rites of Passage Institute, is to create ROP that are positive events in the lives of young people all over Australia and around the world. .
Soon we will be training more people to do the same thing in other parts of the country and overseas. Keep checking our website for upcoming training details:
http://ritesofpassageinstitute.com/programs-leadership.php
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Flood waters rising
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I am sitting by my fire here listening to increasingly torrential rain that has been relentless for a couple of days now. All the local roads are flooded and I am isolated on top of a hill in my tee pee which I have lived in for the last 2 years whilst I complete a building project. Fortunately I have a good supply of wood to keep my fire going and enough food if it goes on for a few days. It’s actually really good fun and a great opportunity to just be at home and catch up on things that can otherwise be put aside.
Rites of Passage
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Welcome to our first blog on Rites of Passage ( ROP ).
Over the coming weeks, months and maybe even years we will publish regular updates that look at various aspects of Rites of Passage including:
- What defines a Rite of Passage?
- What are the common elements of a ROP?
- What have indigenous tribes and communities done for thousands of generations?
- What is the role of ROP in the 21st Century?
- What sort of leadership is required for a ROP?
- How can we design a ROP?
- What is Liminal Space and how is it different from Liminoid Space?
You may have other topics that you would like discussed on this blog. Please feel free to comment and let us know what you want to learn or talk about.
The Australian Rites of Passage Institute has been set up to deliver ROP programs but also importantly to train people so that this work can grow and spread to other part of the country and globally.
Please check out our website www.ritesofpassageinstitute.com to find out more about our programs and how you can get involved.
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