Spiritual Manhood in America

What does it mean to be a man in America? The majority of Americans is Christian and believes in what they refer to as Biblical Manhood. However, the socio-cultural idea of manhood is exemplified by the cowboy (John Wayne) model of manhood. The idea that a man is supposed to rich, powerful, and influential has created another image of American Manhood. These men lean toward dominance, control and authority, and are considered very manly. If the man is a self made man, socially he gains even greater respect as a man. Of course, there are many definitions of Manhood in America. A prevalent idea about manhood, not only in America, but an almost universal idea of manhood is connected to make sexual performance.

The pressure of becoming a man is very strong on young males of other ethnic groups which do not have an abundance of male role models. They do not always see examples of Manhood in their communities, but they are indoctrinated with ideas about being a man.

They are taught:


• Men do not show their emotions.


• Men never-ever cry.


• Men can handle pain.


• A man must never-ever show fear.


• Men dominate their women.

One of my favorite authors, Iyanla Vanzant said that "Men need a cultural foundation that provides them with a standard of behavior and a philosophy by which they can govern their lives". I think what she is saying and I too believe that men need a greater understanding of spirituality and a mechanism through which spiritual principles can guide their lives. Men can get all the macho they want. Radio, television and news media all expend a lot of energy giving the public examples of the manly man. According to the media America is filled with male heroes who go out into the world and over come a variety of obstacles. He returns home only after gaining fame and fortune solely as a result of his wit and manly strength.

The Spanish has its Casanova. The Japanese have their Samurai Warrior. Europe and the West have the Great White Hunter. Again, America has no need for more macho. Not only have American men grow to identify and follow the concept of machismo. They have for the most part moved away from both religion and spirituality. Society has, and consequently the men, became so extremely individualist and materialistic nothing metaphysical fits into the Manhood profile(s). However, Manhood in America involves trials and test. Men must prove that they are men. This would not be necessary if men embrace the spiritual side of reality. Religion has helped some men learn to identify with "something" larger than themselves. Unfortunately, religion promises either salvation or damnation in the burning fires of hell. Neither of these choices will assist a man in becoming closer to the Creator.

It is up to each individual man to decide which path he will take in life. I only say that a much better life is one guided by spiritual principles and practices. To be a better man one must be a moral man. True morality results from a spiritual level of understanding. This understanding will also give men the ability to actualize self knowledge. The person and the self is not the same thing. Men must understand this. The Universal Force, some call God, gave everything in creation its own particular vibration rate. Very few people in America understand the significance of vibration rates. The importance of vibration rate for men is that understanding and experiencing vibrations in themselves and nature will bring closer to their higher power. In the Christian Bible, Jesus tells his follower to go to their closets and know the Father through silence.

Older generations intuitively knew hat nature has a rhythm (vibration). Remember when your grandmother sat on the porch and rocked in her rocking chair. Usually she was also humming. She somehow knew that getting in tune with nature's vibration would give her comfort like nothing else. Rocking and humming helped her create a positive rhythm within which she could live and move. It is my sincere hope that men can learn to experience the Universal Life Force through silence or through learning to rock and hum.