“Why Easton?” — with Chris Montani
Harry Fadis (founding Easton Mountain member, resident, and pillar of the community) recently asked several long-time Easton Mountain members to share with us why they continue to return to EM time and time again.
Read our friend Chris Montani’s reply below:
“Some have asked why I return to Easton Mountain year after year.
The short answer is: The MEN! It is most certainly the men!
Since my first visit for ‘Hail the New’ in December 2014, I found a community of like-minded men. These are not passive, complacent guys sipping coffee. No, these are active, thoughtful and considerate men that challenge my assumptions. They help broaden my perspective beyond my age-old assumptions, habits and stale thought patterns! Easton Mountain is a community of men that nourishes my spirit with new experiences, thoughts and feelings. The Easton community helps me grow in creative thought, the capacity to acknowledge my emotional needs, to grow in compassion, and ultimately to grow in spirit.
Over time I have attended many retreats and developed a number of friendships with men that attend Easton events, volunteer, and work on the staff. It is comfortable to be in the presence of friends while trying workshops that may be outside my comfort zone. Easton is a safe container to take risks and try new things, new thoughts, and just be comfortable being myself.
Getting out of my own way is a challenge at times. The normal pressures of everyday life can take its toll in anxiety and needless worry. Time at Easton is an opportunity to reframe my days and consider different ways of being in the world.
So, what is it that I find appealing and helping my life? Maybe I just want to be wanted, and to feel genuine connection with other gay men. Maybe I just need positive reinforcement and validation to help heal the boy that was scared of his sexuality for so many years. Maybe I just need the acceptance of men I respect and who matter to me. Maybe it is all of these things and more.
Easton Mountain is a community I value. It is a community that I belong to by choice. I learn about myself, I discuss feelings, thoughts and approaches to perceiving the world that are new to me. I get to participate in seminars and activities to learn and to grow as a person. So I keep coming back to Easton for personal growth, for long time friendships and to share my life with other like-minded souls.”
