Conscious Aging

by Sounds True, Marion Woodman, Maggie Kuhn

New Insights about Old Age In every phase of the human journey, we are in the process of aging. Yet our youth-fixated society considers aging a medical problem, and death a failure. Conscious Aging was the first conference ever conducted to define a new understanding of aging – one based on the practical issues of health, finances, and family, as well as the creative possibilities and spiritual dimensions that come with maturity. Conscious Aging is a one-of-a-kind celebration composed of practical lectures, stories, and exercises. Includes six information-packed sessions with Bernie Siegel, M.D., Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Maggie Kuhn, Ram Dass, and Marion Woodman. Conscious Aging Conference 1 Life The Missing Piece to Wholeness – Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. A new vision of aging; the Spiritual Eldering Project; archetype of the cosmic elder; facing mortality; the fruits of contemplation and prayer; setting goals in late life; the legacy of wisdom; "aging" into "saging"; mentoring; more. 2 King Lear as Image in Eldering – Marion Woodman. The elder in the mirror; returning to childhood; breathing and visualization exercise; Lear as the elder archetype; core identity after retirement and ego surrender; the Hecate archetype; dream of "going home"; more. 3 When History and Biography Intersect – Maggie Kuhn. The joys of old age; medical technology and quality of life in the final years; the six myths of old age; young and the common bonds; the four essential roles of older Americans; goal-setting for elders; more. 4 How to Never Grow Old and Die Young at Heart – Bernie Siegel, M.D. Is life fair?; Gaining Insight exercise; the power of listening; 12 advantages to senior living; risk-taking skills; overcoming depression; the permission to die; many real-life, humorous stories; more. 5 Aging and the Awakening Potential of Change – Ram Dass. Our culture’s fear of aging as a pathology; the elder’s vision of life; awareness, focus, change, and fear; enjoying change; the inner world of the old; the nine steps to a more fruitful old age; more. 6 Conference Overview Panel – Mary Catherine Bateson, Ram Dass, Marion Woodman, Harry Moody, and Rabbi Schachter-Shalomi. Lessons for dying parents; the intergenerational dialog; new myths; working with dream imagery; accessing inner wisdom; healing the dysfunctional view of aging in our culture;and more.

Audio Cassette

First published September 1, 1992