Have you ever thought about our aging experience as a way of spiritual or religious development? My books about aging and spirituality were mostly about other older people. Now at 79 I do more reflecting on my own aging. I find good ideas and practices from eastern and western contemplatives to help me understand my own aging process. I give a course along these lines to seniors at Emory University in the Institute for Lifelong Learning.
Here are two themes, among many others, that might get a discussion started. Contemplatives or meditators tap into our mystical potential. Some silence and stillness is crucial for pulling out of our daily “rat race.” Are you able to do this? Would you like some tips on it? Or maybe you could share with us how you do it. In addition to silence/stillness, another theme is focusing on living in the now. What do you experience in the present moment? It doesn’t have to be a great happening; just the sense of your own body/mind and sights and sounds around you. Can you stay in the now for a few minutes or come back to it when inevitable distractons enter your mind?
What do silence, stillness and coming back to the now have to do with aging and spirituality? Do you see any special connections? Let us know on this blog.
Many thanks. Gene
Fifty percent Irish (and citizen of the Republic of Ireland), fifty percent German, a hundred percent American (born in San Francisco in 1939 and citizen of the U.S.), and resident of Belgium, I am currently drawing spiritual sustenance from ‘Anam Cara’ by John O’Donohue, an Irishman with a doctorate from Tuebingen University in Germany. Going it alone in spiritual matters is dangerous, so I try to read, spend time with, listen to, and imitate happy folks open to spiritual learning, one day at a time. Dan
By: Daniel Clarke Flynn on July 10, 2009
at 2:11 pm
Thanks, Gene, for zeroing in on this subject. I have long thought it was something we should spend more time developing. Everyday I check the obits to see if I’m still alive. And everyday I see more and more folks who look just like us. With the passing of my mom it looks like I’m now confronted with the fact that those of our generation are the next ones to pass through into the Light. You have a large and rich population of Companions from which to draw on….Dave
By: Dave Van Etten on July 11, 2009
at 12:25 am
Meditation, staying in the Now (Eckhart Tolle) and Byron Katie’s “The Work” writing poetry, teaching the “Age-ing to Sage-ing” program and “Course in Miracles” and, of course, yoga classes, keeps this 82 year old California woman alive, joyful and well.
For me, the secret is forgiveness which means “Letting Go” of all judgments and grievances.
By: Jean Crane on October 2, 2009
at 3:48 am
Why would Mary Ann and I want to pull out of “our daily rat race”? The reason we are still working our large family day care business in our mid-70s is to keep us active and involved with life and its meaning. Last night we attended a “celebration of life” memorial for the grandfather of three children of a somewhat dysfunctional family we once cared some 20 years ago. We grew to know and love “grandpa” one year as he walked his granddaughter and others in our day care back and forth to the local elementary kindergarden class. Invited to comment on “grandpa” before those gathered for the memorial, I recalled how excited he was to carry out this daily exercise of love. His wife and daughter in the front row nodded in agreement with tears. Unfortunately for his wife, his grandchildren and their mother were not present at the celebration. I’m glad we were!
By: Dave Van Etten on October 2, 2009
at 5:08 pm
Just came across this today, so the chain may have dwindled by now…simply wanted to note that some of us meditating elders are in circumstances, as I once was, of necessary loving 24/7 attention, otherwise known as caregiving…in which the contemplative life is still beckoning, possible, and nurturing…my meditative comments are in TEARS IN GOD’S BOTTLE…would appreciate any commentary…
Peace to all,
Wayne
By: Wayne Ewing on October 12, 2009
at 12:22 pm
Thanks, Wayne, for drawing attention to TEARS IN GOD’S BOTTLE. Although Alzheimers hasn’t raised it ugly head within our family as yet, 24/7 hour care has. We look forward to reading and meditating on the contents of your journey. Dave and Mary Ann…still working as we cruise along in our mid-seventies.
By: Dave Van Etten on October 12, 2009
at 3:45 pm