19842 - The Possible Elder: Conscious Aging and Spiritual Development in the Later Years of Life

Course Overview

Mainstream psychology often avoids important issues, problems and possibilities having to do with the aging process, such as maintaining meaning and purpose, pondering what happens after the death of the physical body, mentoring and leaving a legacy, and engaging in forgiveness and gratitude work. We’ll ask big questions, such as: "What stimulates new cycles of spiritual development for people in the later years of life?" “What is the difference between successful and conscious or positive aging?” "What does it mean to take aging as a spiritual practice?” And: “What does it mean to become a spiritual elder?” Each class will include a guided meditation, teaching pieces, exercises and class discussion. Our textbook will be: Aging as a Spiritual Practice: A Contemplative Guide to Growing Older and Wiser by Lewis Richmond (2012)