Towards an Integral Understanding of Masculinity and Gender
It has long been my passion to understand masculinity and gender from an integral perspective.
It is a highly controversial topic, a prominent issue in the culture wars, and yet of the utmost importance for personal and societal development.
What if we seriously consider the different perspectives of traditional, modern, postmodern and integral consciousness? And carefully distinguish between sex, gender, identity, orientation?
Can we create a genuine and forward-looking gender dialogue?
My Fields of Activity
Research & Publications
Reading, reflecting, talking - deepening our integral understanding of gender dynamics.
Sharing in articles, talks, podcasts,
in my 2018 book (in German) "Ein Ganzer Mann" on the developmental stages of masculinity, and work on an updated book (in English and German) on the integral understanding of gender is in progress!
Experiential Events
In workshops, labs and presentations I create experiential spaces to explore and understand the development of gender, masculinity & femininity and engage in mindful dialogues.
Counseling & Coaching
Receive personalized counseling that addresses individual experiences with masculinity and gender identity.
About Me
Raymond Fismer
The developmental stages of masculinity have been my area of interest for years, resulting in presentations and workshops on the topic, and my book in German.
For the last five years I have been working as an administrator for Bundesforum Männer (Federal Men’s Forum), Germany’s umbrella organization for gender-informed work with boys, men and fathers. Since Feb. 2023 I'm retired, working on my own.
And I am a board member of Integrales Forum https://www.integralesforum.org/, the hub for Integralists in the German-speaking world.
I also do some coaching and couples counseling, and I’m happy to be a grandfather.
Upcoming Events
Integral European Conference
29.05.2025 Siófok, Hungary
"Lab for an Integral Gender Dialogue"
https://integraleuropeanconference.com/
Integral "Flow to Future" Festival
17.-20.07.2025 Steyerberg, Germany
"Labor für einen integralen Gender-Dialog"
Some Resources on Masculinity & Gender
From Equal Rights to Gender Trouble
Where is gender equality headed? On the one hand, we see a roll-back worldwide, whether in the abortion ban in the U.S., the criminalization of gays and lesbians ... . On the other hand, legal equality has been established in many countries, girls and women are on the fast track in school and university, more and more young men are taking on active fatherhood roles, and the LGBT movement has become unmistakable in the last decade.
Where does the strong and apparently increasing polarization come from, the verbal escalation that the topic causes? ...
Continue reading the whole article From_Equal_Rights_to_Gender_Trouble.pdf
Slightly expanded and translated form of the lecture "From Equal Rights to Gender Trouble", given at the Integral European Conference 2023 in Siófok/Hungary.
Men, Meaning, and the Rise of the New Right
From cultural confusion to political shifts, men today are caught in the crossfire of conflicting expectations. Are they supposed to be strong and assertive or soft and sensitive? Should they embrace traditional masculinity or rewrite the script entirely? And why are so many turning to right wing politics for answers?
Men, Meaning, and the Rise of the New Right – Integral Life
"The Integral Edge" conversation with Keith Martin-Smith and Jason Lange on Integral Life
EIN GANZER MANN - Entwicklung und Zukunft der Männlichkeit. Eine integrale Perspektive.
http://www.ein-ganzer-mann.de/
My book on the development and future of masculinity, from an integral perspective.