#47 | Bringing Fatherhood Into Alignment - Chris Fletcher (Nine Rings)
“Oneness of all relations comes when we are in alignment with all aspects
of ourselves, loving and accepting unconditionally, all that is.”
My guest today is Chris Fletcher, a counsellor that specializes in working with youth and their families. He is also the co-author of the forthcoming book The Nine Rings of Alignment, alongside his partner.
I first encountered Chris many years ago while visiting his oceanside retreat sanctuary Halfmoon Haven. Over the years, we crossed paths only a handful of times, though I was touched by his grounded presence and passionate dedication to his family.
In our conversation today, we speak about his own troubled adolescence and how intergenerational trauma played out in his life. He shares candidly about the dissolution of his first marriage, the journey into fatherhood, and the birth of the Nine Rings body of work.
And finally, he shares key insights into parenting his boys and maintaining intimacy and connection as an integrated father, throughout their teenage years and beyond.
LINKS
Attend the 2022 Nine Rings Retreat
JOIN THE MYTHIC MASCULINE NETWORK
SHOW NOTES
Connecting over the Emergence Project
Story of youth and parents’ divorce
Abandonment & trauma playing out during adolescence
Starting out the helping journey with group homes and at risk youth
Learning different modalities from different mentors and teachers
First heartbreak and inspiration by Robert Bly & James Redfield
The realization of intergenerational trauma and getting into family counseling
Family investigation and the healing effect of trauma talk with father
The gift of shadow dark parts
First divorce and lessons around how would a couple know if the need to part ways
Reevaluating life and reflecting on love and romanticism after first divorce
The journey into fatherhood
The pros and cons of being a part-time dad
Tips and advice on intimacy and physical touch with children
Advise on how to deal with children during their rebellious adolescent years
The benefits of keeping your children engaged with your work routine as a father
Navigating a balanced parenting style with children
The birth story of the nine rings
The meaning of the nine rings
The practice of the nine rings, stories round it and potential benefits
The fruits of engaging the family in community and getting involved in a cause
The phoenix story as a guiding myth
