Conscious Living, Conscious Aging: Claiming the Gifts of Elderhood

by Ron Pevny

We financially plan for our retirement, but do we plan for our wellbeing? Here is an empowering guide with practical tools to help you live a passionate, fulfilling second half of life.

If you’re part of the Baby Boomer generation, then you belong to 26 percent of the US population that is retiring healthier than any generation before. And that means retirement is starting to look a whole lot different.

No longer satisfied with a quiet life of sitting on the porch or puttering around the house, retirees (or soon to be) are looking to create a passionate, active, fulfilled, and engaging later life. That’s where Ron Pevny comes in. His inspiring guide helps you do what he calls “conscious aging”—or making a reality the life of growth, purpose, service, and spiritual exploration you’ve always imagined for yourself. In addition to wisdom for navigating loss and grief, Pevny offers advice that helps you identify your goals, contribute to society, remain engaged and relevant, and spend your later years in profound personal development.

Today’s seniors are reshaping what retirement is all about. It is a whole new opportunity to engage with family, community, and the world with vigor. Don’t just grow older—age consciously.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

Ron Pevny is the founder and director of the Center for Conscious Eldering. He received his masters in Integral Counseling and Psychotherapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. He is a certified Sage-ing Leader with Sage-ing International and is a member of their Coordinating Circle. He is also active in the Life Planning Network and is a contributor to Second Journey. He conducts workshops across the country, including at Earthrise and IONS retreat centers. He lives in Durango, Colorado.

Reviews

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm taking a course on Conscious Aging that is linked to the writings and work of this author. The book outlines the process of becoming a conscious elder - steps of forgiveness, reconceptualizing your story, legacy writing, finding community, shedding old skins, the power of the death lodge. It was interesting to read about this process. The only reason why I reviewed this less positively is that I think the steps Pevny outlines would work better in a workbook format or in a course that actually meets. I don't think one can just read about becoming a conscious elder without doing the hard work behind the prescriptions. It would be easy to read it, then put the book aside without doing the hard work needed to be done to be a true model of elderhood. Read it to understand how to "embrace and savor your next chapter" but it would be useful to find mentors, community, workshops, etc to move forward in the process.

[Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read quite a few books dealing with retirement from many different perspectives. There are many people who are not sure what to do with themselves and are failing at retirement. This book is unique in some ways, like taking a more spiritual approach to find your path. Unlike other books which list various places to enrich yourself, or volunteer, or find a new rewarding career, this book would have you fast, meditate and go on a vision quest to discover your inner self.

I'm fine with that perspective, but a large part of the book is an advertisement for their Conscious Eldering center, and quotes from people who attending their Conscious Eldering sessions and not much else.

Conscious aging is just that being conscious of what you are doing. Not just getting up and playing cards or golfing and watching TV. (Unless that is what you really want to do, after you think about it and choose that.) If you meditate and follow your calling and to live with meaning that's fine too. Whatever it takes to make sure you think about what it is you want to do with your days, decide if you want to help the world, do good or just take up space.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first couple of chapters of this book were not inspiring -- facts & figures about aging, and kind of preachy. The majority of the book, however, was very interesting and useful. Connects rites of passage (almost non-existent in our society), and the concept of being an elder. Explores how we can not just "put in time" as elders but live useful, spiritual, and helpful lives. Worth reading.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderfully spiritual guideline for living with meaning.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well said, well read, well defined and well presented.

[Rae Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minuteman. Rec by Carolyn Kroll's aging series person. Too religious for aging bookgroup, not compelling for me.

[Doug Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

A a new support being created

Practical and important information for conscious living an
The conscious eldering
Aging well stories and what to do to expand your aging process

[Kate Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather than wandering aimlessly through one's post-retirement years, Ron Pevny, director of the Colorado-based Center for Conscious Eldering, presents a very clearly thought out course for making the most of one's later life. The chapter titles serve as an outline of the process, including such topics as "Nature as Healer and Teacher," "Healing the Past to Empower the Future," and "Consciously Building Legacy," to name a few. Each chapter concludes with a "Story by the Fire," a short essay written by a retreat participant about the particular aspect being discussed. A supplemental chapter at the end gives details on the practices and how to work with them.
Most people over 55, especially those who feel adrift or fearful at this time of life, would probably benefit from taking a look at this.

[Pam Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as its one of those spiritual enlightening journeys only this one is about conscious aging and awareness. Its a rite of passage of conscious aging, how to follow your calling and to live with meaning and growth at the same time fulfilling your emotional and spiritual growth and living with potential.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for furnishing this book. This book was a decent read. It was, perhaps, not for someone who has already begun to "savor the next chapter". I found it a bit difficult to trudge through as the author was repetitive. That said, for someone who is struggling with the aging process, it will serve as an informative guide.

[Vykki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully informative book. There was a lot of great information I will keep this book close. I recommend this book to anyone over the age of fifthly. This was a Good Reads win Thank you very much.

[Flewts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I confess I skimmed through a lot of this book. There's good stuff in here, but I found it hard to pay attention.