In our search I run across some wonderfully compassionate men. Julien Oomen is one such man. It was a pleasure to have him on my podcast. Julien Oomen is an Amsterdam-based musician who draws inspiration from spiritual ceremonies.

The larger part of his songs is triggered by the trainings and ceremonies of Ralph Nelissen of The Potential School who invites him to assist musically. While being a witness to the transformational process of many men and women, Julien moves closer to his own center of stillness. From that stillness, words and music come like waves.

In July 2018, Julien released “Oase Sessions I “, followed by “Oase Sessions II ”  in April 2019.

A new full-length album, Both Sides Of The River, was released in December 2020.

For this record Julien saved up the songs in the past two years that were specifically triggered by trainings, workshops and ceremonies within the realm of men’s work. The songs touch on beautiful movements that are already happening: men coming alive in their fatherhood, or in brotherhood through men’s circles; in self-realisation and in knowing that there’s an alchemy in each human being that goes beyond binary notions of the “feminine” or “masculine”.

For live shows Julien often teams up with his partner Lenneke van Staalen, a master​ of (northern) Indian classical music on violin, who comps him in his songs as well as playing mesmerising improvisations. Other collaborations include Pernilla Kannapinn and Diego Nicolás Rodriguez.

Julien lives with his partner and daughter.

Next to music and family life, he devotes his time to Refugee Company and Stichting de Vrolijkheid, two organisations that further the socio-economic well-being of refugees through art, network, traineeships and soft-skill trainings.

With his longtime buddy Robin Block, Julien hosts a monthly Men’s Circle.

The men’s circle is about brotherhood: the realization that every man is a brother – and human being first – who roams around in the very same field that we call life, often with similar questions, goals and challenges. What can we learn from each other? How can we tap into our shared wisdom and support each other, even as complete strangers only meeting for the duration of one single men’s circle?

Together we create a space for each man to take his place and share his experiences; from a genuine desire to grow and inspire one another. Sometimes we work with a specific theme, but more often just with topics that come alive in the group during the circle. The circle helps you to step out of your daily routine, and to explore your views and choices in connection with others, sometimes in depth, sometimes humorously and playful.

Sharing experiences and listening to others already amounts to a lot. But besides sharings we will also do meditative and physical exercises to further integrate some of the insights attained in the circle, and to connect the head to the heart and body.

You’re most welcome to participate!

Apply by sending an e-mail to men’s circle: mannencirkelnoord@gmail.com

www.julienoomen.com/men-s-circle

CD/VINYL: www.julienoomen.com/merch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/oomenjulien/

bandcamp: www.julienoomen.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julien.oomen/

In Search of the New Compassionate Male:
Creator: Clay Boykin – https://ClayBoykin.com
Producer: Dennis Tadan – https://DennisTardan.com