Steve Shiva
The Sacred Temple at Rites of Passage: men in white and women in red in a candlelit circle

Men's Work · Rites of Passage

Men, this is your call.

Every ancient culture marked the passage from boy to man. Ours lost it, and lost far more in the process. I founded Rites of Passage to reclaim it: an initiation into power, purpose and sacred union, held in brotherhood.

Answer the call The journey

Next: Poland, 28 August – 3 September 2027

Why this matters

We were taught to be strong. Not to be true.

Young men once faced trials that made them confront their fears and dig deep to find their truth. They came through as men, ready to carry their power and their responsibility.

Without that threshold, too many of us spend our lives performing a strength we don't feel. Rites of Passage is the threshold. Not soft. Not hard. Just real.

This is not for beginners or the curious. It is for men already walking the path of growth, tantra or embodiment, who are ready to go deeper.

The journey

Seven days. One initiation.

Six days of initiation with your brothers, then the Sacred Temple with the women of the Initiatress, then a day of integration together.

I

Separation

You leave the old roles at the door. We go into the shadow, the hidden fears and wounds, and turn them into strength and clarity.

II

Brotherhood

Among men, without masks. Ritual, embodiment and attunement to align body, heart and mind with the sacred masculine. You sharpen your presence and expand your capacity to hold.

III

The Sacred Temple

On the final night you enter the temple of the women of the Initiatress Training, held by Amanda Biccum and Arja Hendrikx. The feminine calls you to rise. You meet her with presence, reverence and devotion.

For couples

The Initiatress meets Rites of Passage

Two parallel journeys, on the same land, in the same week.

While the men walk Rites of Passage, the women walk the Initiatress: seven days embodying their feminine power, held by Amanda Biccum and Arja Hendrikx. You won't cross paths during the week. On the final night both groups unite in the Sacred Temple, in a closing ceremony celebrating the sacred connection between masculine and feminine.

Have a partner? This is one of the most powerful things you can do together: two separate initiations that bring you back to each other.

Rites of Passage: for menThe Initiatress: for women
The women of the Initiatress Training preparing the Sacred Temple

Poland · 28 August – 3 September 2027

A palace for the initiation

A late 19th-century Neo-Renaissance palace in the Western Poland countryside, on 147,000 square metres of private grounds and historic park. You share a room with a brother. Brunch and dinner are prepared for the journey.

The Sparrow Hills palace in Western Poland A room at the palace Shared meals at the retreat
Secure your spotFor your partner: the Initiatress

Inside the container

Rites of Passage, Bali 2026

Steve and Mikkail teaching before the altar The men in circle Two brothers in an embrace Steve, Mikkail and the men standing in line Two men facing each other in red light Men in the garden in a physical practice The candlelit Sacred Temple The women of the Initiatress Training preparing the temple Men in the garden at Rites of Passage Men and women together at the close of Rites of Passage Drumming in the garden

Photography: @mathijs.vd.lee

Every rite so far

The full depth of the journey

The fire, the shadow, the brotherhood, and the night the men meet the women of the Initiatress in the Sacred Temple. This is what it looks like from the inside.

ROP meets the Initiatress · Portugal 2026

A man in prayer
Teaching the map of the journey
The men and women gathered in the dome
A brother at sunrise above the valley
Speaking to the men
A shared feast
The men lying in the temple
The temple by candlelight

ROP meets the Initiatress · Bali 2026

Drumming in the garden
The long table feast
The women of the Initiatress in red
A veiled woman of the Initiatress
A blindfolded man met by the women
The candlelit Sacred Temple
A man and woman in an embrace
The men in the temple, arms raised
Two men facing each other in red light
A man and a woman of the Initiatress
A brother in raw release
The women of the Initiatress together
The Sacred Temple, men and women
Everyone together at the close

Photography: @mathijs.vd.lee

ROP meets the Initiatress · One-day taster, Bali 2026

Teaching by the water
The men in circle
The circle opens
Two men facing each other
Two men in the practice
A brother meeting a brother
The men in line in the pavilion
The men standing shoulder to shoulder

ROP meets the Initiatress · Portugal 2025

The men around the night fire
Teaching in the dome
Brothers in an embrace
The men lifting a brother overhead
The men with hands on a brother's shoulders
A man with arms open to the sunrise
The men in candlelight
A brother in deep release
The night fire
Morning light in the dome
Brothers holding each other
The men gathered behind a brother
The men standing together
The men in a line of candlelight
A hooded figure holding a candle
The drum over the men lying in the dome

ROP meets the Initiatress · Bali 2025

Steve Shiva speaking to the men
A man in prayer
The men in a closed circle, heads together
Steve standing over the men lying in the temple
Steve in white, holding the space
A brother in raw release, held by the men
The men laying hands on a brother
Two women of the Initiatress in red
The men standing in line in the bamboo temple
The empty temple before the men arrive
The men in circle in the bamboo temple
Steve holding a brother in the work
A man holding his brother through release
A brother with eyes closed, hands of the men on his shoulders
Steve Shiva in the jungle
The men resting together after the work
A woman of the Initiatress in red
The men standing as the women arrive

Photography: @inspired_bybeing

ROP meets the Initiatress · Portugal 2024

Men in white meeting the women in red with a rose
The men and women meeting on the land
A man meeting a woman of the Initiatress
The Sacred Temple: men in white and women in red
The Sacred Temple circle
The women honouring the men in the temple
Men and women meeting on open land
A man in white offering a rose
The women of the Initiatress dancing in the temple
The Sacred Temple in session
A woman in red holding a man in white
The women honouring the men
Men and women facing each other in the temple
The altar at the centre of the temple
The men in a tight circle
A brother laughing, hand on heart
Two brothers in an embrace
Bodywork in the dome
A man held by his brothers
A brother in raw release
The men leaping into the river
The men huddled together
Speaking in the dome
The men in circle on the floor
The men with arms raised
Celebration in the dome
Two brothers roaring together

Photography: @project.radiance

ROP meets the Initiatress · Goa 2024

The men with hands joined in the centre
The men in circle under the palms
The men together at the close
Teaching in the shala
Two facilitators holding the space
A man with arms raised in practice
The men in circle in the shala
Men pushing against each other in practice
Bodywork on the mats
Steve Shiva in prayer under the palms
Steve teaching the men outdoors
Steve speaking to the men
Men and women in a great circle on the beach
The men and the women of the Initiatress together
The men at sunset by the sea
The men together on the beach
A ceremony on the sand
A ceremony by the fishing boats
Men in white and women in red, facing the sea
Everyone together, arms raised
The men and women meeting in lines
Men and women hand to hand
The women facing the sunset
Men and women dancing on the beach
Roses and candle at the altar
The women in the red-lit temple

ROP meets the Initiatress · Ibiza 2023

Two women of the Initiatress in red in the dome
The women in red at the altar
Men in white entering the temple
A blindfolded man embraced by the women
A blindfolded man held by a woman
A blindfolded man meeting a woman
A blindfolded man meeting the women
A tender moment in the temple
The ceremony in the dome
The women resting together in the dome
The Initiatress women above Es Vedrà
Es Vedrà from the cliffs

From the brothers

Life-changing. In their words.

Straight after the rite: Portugal 2025

“Brothers hold the mirror for you.”
“I became the man I always wanted to be.”
“I'm stepping out into my life as my own king.”
“It changes you. You become a lighter person.”
“These six days gave me the most.”

Video: @expressence_

In this world, as a man, I sometimes feel very lonely with my problems, doubts and fears. Having a place like the one Shiva has created has made my life so much better. It has made me more confident and stronger. It allows me to feel human.

Dmitrii Andriukhin

Best men's work retreat experience I have been on, and very impactful. Exactly what I was looking for, and a very strong brotherhood container.

Mihhail (Misha) Nesterenko

This was my first introduction to the world of tantra and men's work. I arrived with no expectations but a list of wishes. Every wish was met, and then some. It has truly been a life-changing experience.

Ben Hunt

This work opened doors in me I didn't know were closed. I discovered strength in vulnerability and clarity in confusion. I leave with more freedom, purpose and heart than I came with.

ParticipantRites of Passage

The work has brought so much over the last years. I am who I really am. It helped me build real relationships with my wife and friends. Should have started earlier!

Marc Schuurman

It was powerful and transformative. I feel more deeply developed as a complete human being.

Ivar van Peer

“Go for it brothers. It changes your life.” Jürgen Wiehl

“Doing men's work and creating brotherhood is among the most important work men can do nowadays.” Mark Berkovics

“If I had this knowledge earlier in my life it would have been another kind of life.” Participant

Steve Shiva and Mikkail among the men at Rites of Passage

Founder & co-facilitator

Held by men who've walked it

I founded Rites of Passage, and Mikkail Handby co-facilitates with me. Mikkail brings fight therapy, breathwork and somatic work from his men's circles in Bali. Together we hold a sacred container strong enough for whatever comes.

What's expected of you

  • Show up with everything you have.Truth, vulnerability and integrity.
  • Honour boundaries and consent.Of everyone in the space.
  • Be present in a devotional space.Ready to receive and witness the feminine in her power.
This is not for the faint-hearted. It is for men ready to face their shadows, meet their edges and rise into their full potential.
Poland · 28 August – 3 September 2027
Answer the call