Jung on Death as the Goal of Life
That amazing psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, understood that aging, instead of being a time of ossification and decline, was in fact a profoundly important stage of psychological and spiritual growth. More amazingly, he argued that death was actually the goal and fulfillment of life. Here is what he said. Let it touch you and then we'll decipher his meaning. "We are so convinced that death is simply … [Read more...]
The Courage to Age
You hear it all the time: "Aging is not for sissies." I've even found myself repeating that trite phrase, especially when things get really hard for a while. It's not fun or easy to care for your mother in dementia, to witness her death, to sit through your wife's frightening carotid surgery, to perform your son's funeral, to have your heart shocked in the ER, or await test results for your own … [Read more...]
Aging from the Inside
As I surf the web on aging, I am amazed by the imbalance between inner- and outer-focused websites. Inner-focused sites address the feelings, meaning and personal struggles of aging. Outer sites address practical issues like financial planning, the diseases of aging, physical and cognitive changes, mental health problems, retirement destinations, nursing homes, anti-aging strategies, beauty … [Read more...]
Aging: A Land Called Love
Last month, my wife's routine physical examination revealed a bruit - in this case, the sound of a severely blocked carotid artery. A CT angiogram soon revealed just how blocked it was - a stroke or death silently waiting to happen. The surgery came quickly and was frightening for both of us. Can you imagine someone operating on the artery that supplies the blood to the left (language) side of … [Read more...]
Aging, Wisdom, and the Discovery of Your Place in the Universe – Part IV
Part I in the series Part II in the series Part III in the series In the previous blog, I talked about finding personal wisdom found in the depth of our own deep knowing. In this blog, I want to discuss one more profoundly important kind of wisdom. This second variety comes from seeing deeply into things as they are. Now this kind of seeing is not influenced by beliefs, stereotypes and … [Read more...]
Aging, Wisdom, and the Discovery of Your Place in the Universe – Part III
Part I in the series Part II in the series The Greek philosopher Socrates (who lived in the fifth century BCE) understood the deep nature of wisdom described in this series. Karen Armstrong explains, “Socrates’ purpose was not to impart information, but to deconstruct people’s preconceptions and make them realize that in fact they knew nothing at all…(i.e., at the level of real … [Read more...]
Aging, Wisdom, and the Discovery of Your Place in the Universe-Part II
Part I in the series What is wisdom? The dictionary generally defines wisdom as the accumulated philosophic, religious, scientific, or personal knowledge that an individual or culture has, and, of course, the ability to use that knowledge effectively. My definition of wisdom, however, really goes to a different place, specifically it takes us into a deep inner knowing that may or may not fit … [Read more...]
Aging, Wisdom, and the Discovery of Your Place in the Universe-Part I
Reflecting on my clinical and religious studies over the years, and my ordination as an interfaith minister, I can see how intensely curious I've been about the psychological and spiritual nature of life and its problems. Now, aging into the second half of my 60's, this search for wisdom has taken on even greater urgency. Like all of us, I am really worried about our world. The Earth and its … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Potential of Aging
The first wave of 76 million “Baby Boomers,” representing 28 percent of the American population, turned 65 in 2011 and they will live longer than any previous generation in history – at least 15 years more than their parents! – creating an entirely new stage of life. But what is this revolutionary longevity for? Just to get old and die? As a psychologist and interfaith minister, I’ve … [Read more...]
The Puzzle of Aging
Anyone who thinks deeply about aging will inevitably confront two seemingly opposite sets of conditions. On the “upside,” aging potentially offers us more: 1. Freedom – from the stress and demands of work, allowing us to do everything we never had time for. 2. Satisfying relationships with friends, adult children, and grandchildren. 3. Personal growth – the ripening self finding new … [Read more...]