Conscious Aging

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 Highlights: 1 Life Harvest: 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 old: 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.