Being a Man: Weekend Men's Retreat

Being a man can be complicated, with very little guidance for how to navigate this terrain with wisdom and integrity.

We live in a time where masculinity has become a battleground for a culture war, creating polarized impressions that leave many men feeling lost and confused about what it means to be a man today.

On one side, masculinity gets pushed towards hypernormal extremes - exaggerated, aggrandized, bloated, and distorted. On the other side, there's a tendency to dismiss anything positive about masculinity altogether.

This retreat is an invitation to explore and discover the depth of what being a man is today in the company of other men. We will balance depth with lightness, and real significance with not taking ourselves too seriously. 

★★★★★ "This was an incredible experience. Conor is a master at holding the space and orchestrating a powerful and deep journey from start to finish. I was put at ease right from the start and skilfully guided through some of the most enlightening and difficult challenges I have faced as a man. I really cannot recommend this incredible workshop enough. I am overflowing with gratitude and deep faith that true Brotherhood does exist and is there waiting for us. All we have to do is reach out. Thank you Conor and to the men I now consider brothers." - Neil

ABOUT THE WEEKEND

Universal aspects of masculinity get interpreted for their time. Our task is to discover what healthy masculinity looks like now, in this moment, for the world we're living in.

Over this weekend of mutual support, exploration, and deep inquiry, we will touch on some of the main themes that arise for men navigating this terrain:

How do we relate to ourselves?

• What does it mean to be a man today?
• What aspects of masculinity deserve to be celebrated?
• What is the shadow that we must integrate?
• How do we become the men we are meant to be?

How do we relate to others?

• How do we show up in our relationships and families, with our friends and brothers?
• How does this play out in our romantic relationships and intimate connections?
• How can we support the men around us to become who they're meant to be?

Through this exploration, we seek to find brotherhood, ease, flow, and acceptance - both of ourselves and our place in the world.

★★★★★ "Conor created a magical space where I could feel safe, held and inspired to explore many questions that I had. The result surpassed my expectations and I really encourage others to participate in future editions." - Aitor

Day One: The Relationship with Self

Contemporary Manhood 

One of the things this generation is lacking is elders. The previous generation did so much to shift the world we live in, but they themselves didn't have elders and they are struggling to mature into being elders for us.

In that context, it's all the more important that we have peer-to-peer support to help navigate, triangulate, understand, and practice what being a man means today.

This weekend is about finding that understanding together - not through theories or ideologies, but through the lived experience of men willing to explore these questions with courage and authenticity.

The Shadow

Our shadow is the part of ourselves that we have not yet integrated - the part we often would like to keep hidden. There are many aspects to our shadow, but one most associated with the masculine is around power: How do we handle power? When do we abuse it? When do we seek dominance? How do we learn to be secure in our power? How do we use it to lift others up rather than pull them down?

We cannot become the men we're meant to be without facing these uncomfortable truths about ourselves. This day is about bringing awareness to the parts of our masculinity that we've disowned or that operate unconsciously, so we can begin to integrate them with wisdom and compassion.
 

Day Two: Relating to Others

Showing Up Authentically

How do we show up courageously and authentically in our relationships? How do we avoid falling into the trap of people-pleasing and codependence?

We'll explore learning to be sovereign individuals who are inter-relating and interdependent with the people we love - and in fact, with all the people we interact with.

In intimacy and romantic connections, sexual connections, these dynamics become heightened and as a result more visible and available to work with. How we do one thing is how we do everything. 

Sex can be a magnifying glass and a blown-up version of how we show up elsewhere, making it such a powerful, insight-rich point of inquiry.

Brotherhood and Camaraderie

There is profound power in the shared experience of having mirrored back to us by other men those traits within ourselves that we can be proud of - qualities we can develop and grow. The camaraderie between men helps us to mature and develop those aspects of our masculinity which are most needed for us, for our communities, and for society at large.

This weekend offers the rare experience of being seen, heard, understood, and accepted in our manhood. Of recognizing, celebrating, and embodying the men that are needed in the world.

★★★★★ "This was a genuinely life changing experience for me. I reconnected with and was able to awaken my strength, love, playfulness and generosity. Conor is a master facilitator who brought us to the work with great care, wisdom, patience, humour and generosity." - Matt

Tools We'll Use

We will draw on practices from:

• Traditional Men's Circle
• Rituals and Initiations
• Gestalt Therapy
• Holistic Counselling
• Emotional Release
• Movement Therapy
• Connection and Intimacy Coaching

And more...

WEEKEND STRUCTURE

Each day follows a similar structure with content building on what came before. The flow of each day is designed to bring us deeper into connection with ourselves and each other. 

SAT - DAY 1 

10.45am - Arriving into the space

11pm - Landing and introduction to the Themes of the weekend

12pm -  Traditional Men’s Circle: beginning the process of inquiry

1pm - Lunch

2pm - Spoken and embodied inquiries into the themes of the day with breaks

5pm - Check-out

5:30pm - Close 
 

SUN - DAY 2 

10.45am - Arriving into the space

11am - Traditional Men’s Circle: beginning the process of inquiry

12pm - Spoken and embodied inquiries into the themes of the day

1pm - Lunch

2pm - Spoken and embodied inquiries into the themes of the day with breaks

5pm - Check-out

5:30pm - Close 
 

We will create a group field over the weekend that is deep and supportive, as well as fun and not taking itself too seriously. 

Who This Is For

This retreat is for men who are ready to move beyond the cultural confusion around masculinity and discover what it means to be a good man in today's world. You might be:

• Feeling confused or conflicted about your masculine identity
• Wanting to explore healthy expressions of power and strength
• Seeking authentic connection with other men on a similar journey
• Ready to integrate the shadow aspects of your masculinity
• Longing for the kind of brotherhood that supports growth and authenticity

You don't need to have answers. You just need to be willing to explore the questions with an open heart and the courage to be real about your experience.

FACILITATOR

I am a facilitator of transformational spaces, a group process psychologist, counsellor and coach. Designing and leading group processes I support people to deepen their self awareness to recognise and let go of beliefs that no longer serve them so that they can return to their natural state of ease and flow. 

I’ve been leading Men's Groups and Retreats for the past 8 years. My facilitation style supports individuals in their inquiry by holding a light presence without agenda, listening for questions that want to be asked and supporting people to come to greater ease and flow. 

My intellectual background is in psychology with a B.A. in psychology and an MSc in environmental behaviour change, as well as training as a holistic counsellor. My on-going inquiry is how to create spaces that give people the confidence and permission to be real with themselves and others, dropping the performance and coming home to who they really are and always have been.  

www.conorcregg.com

Influences on my work include Rafia Morgan, Carl Jung, David Deida, Ken Wilber, Hanzi Freinacht, Joseph Campbell, Brené Brown, Carl Rogers, Almass, Robert Bly, Sam Harris, Bessel Van Der Kolk, Patrick Cregg and more…

DATES & TIMES

Saturday 31st January 2026: 11am - 5.30pm
Sunday 1st February 2026: 11am - 5:30pm

ENQUIRIES

Please email conorcregg@gmail.com

Please note that we can not offer refunds. We do encourage swapping or reselling tickets on Ticketswap. 

Did you know that Members of the Psychedelic Society get 10% off all our events? Join from £5 a month and become part of this unique community with invites to special events and more!

REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.

ACCESS:  We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss. Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this applies to you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.

For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

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MEMBERS of the Psychedelic Society get a discount off almost all of our events.
Join from £5 a month and become part of this amazing community with invites to special events and more.