If you’re naïve enough to listen to society, you’ll learn that there are two ways to be a man:
The first is a ridiculous caricature of an alpha male. Someone who believes barbequing meat and obsessing over sports makes you a real man. The sort of guy who buckles under the tiniest hint of challenge or rejection.
As for the second way, well, that’s to be no man at all. They say you should be more feminine than women – sensitive, delicate, submissive and quiet.
Goodness gladius, no wonder men are so lost. Neither of those is good, healthy or fulfilling.
If you pay attention to internet subcultures, there’s a third option:
MGTOW – or Men Go Their Own Way.
The idea is that if modern women are going to be demanding, entitled, masculine, combative and mercilessly critical – while men are still expected to pay, be chivalrous and die to protect her – then men should opt out. No dating, no relationships, no marriage, no hookups. Just walk away.
Now, there’s merit to this. Focus on yourself for a while. Build your skills and lifestyle without the distractions a relationship brings. Grow stronger until you’re worthy of a great relationship. As a man, you can afford to wait.
There’s no rush, so be the best you can be.
The problem with this?
If you listen to MGTOWers, they’re not talking about taking a break from dating. When they say they’ve opted out, they mean it.
And there’s nothing wrong with that, if that’s what you want.
If, like most men, you’d love to have a supportive partner and a family one day, though?
Well, that’s not an option.
MGTOW positions itself as the strong option. For good reason. Giving up intimacy is a big sacrifice, even when it’s the obvious and best move.
But it’s weak as hell for those few followers who say, welp, I guess it’s corn and AI girlfriends for me!
Ugh.
I can’t imagine anything more pathetic than falling for an LLM.
It’s almost as if we men need a fourth option.
One where, like the MGTOW fellows, we prioritise our service, growth, peace and happiness. And like the alphas, we’re strong, disciplined, focused and ready to crush it. And like the feminine men, we’re not insecure about our own feelings.
In fact, we need something better than all that.
We need to become as described in The Way of the Superior Man – wise, strong, indominatable and balanced.
(If you haven’t read that, do. It could be a religious text if it weren’t so relentlessly clear and practical.)
In the meantime?
Sign up for Mane Meditations.
These live, virtual guided meditations each focus on a masculine virtue or archetype. Men are great at introspection – this is that taken to the next level. You’ll experience your own masculine energy like never before – deeply, balanced and enriching.
All you need to do is turn up and focus.
The best part?
You can join by paying whatever you want. A single donation gives you access to every Mane Meditation in September.
The world needs virtuous masculinity more than I need money.
If a couple of bucks and 45 minutes per hit is too much for you, then you’re probably doing girl maths there.
Otherwise, register here: