Reclaiming the Hidden Wisdom & Grace of Aging

Aging reminds us that we are mortal and that time will run out on us. Paradoxically, awareness of our mortality may heighten our love of life.

With the increase in longevity and the expectation of many healthy years beyond retirement, there is a cultural need to revision aging from decline and uselessness to a time of life that promises many opportunities for inner growth and personal enrichment.

Aging itself may call forth new strengths and capacities that weren't available in previous stages of our life. Yet our culture lacks rites of initiation to honor these stages of human development. Where each stage has its own set of challenges, which may involve new losses and vulnerabilities— there is also the possibility of a renewed sense of meaning and purpose.

In order to evolve we are obliged to listen to the hidden places within ourselves that we’ve buried under endless busyness. Aging as a spiritual path challenges us to enlarge and deepen our idea of ourselves, and to let go of what no longer holds meaning and purpose. We may discover that the second half of life can be the most fertile period of human development because it has the potential to complete our human journey.

This workshop reframes the spirituality of aging as a developmental process that challenges us to explore how the second half of life can be a pivotal time to create a new self image, and to imagine what new life is trying to manifest through us, as we dare to imagine what is still possible.

Through meditation, presentations, Q&A sessions, experiencial exercises, and group discussions participants will:

• Learn how to create a new personal narrative for spiritual development in the second half of life
• Adopt new alternative positive models of aging
• Gain confidence in treating your body as sacred and cultivate a sense of empowerment as you age
• Develop the willingness and capacity to relate with your denied aspects or "unfinished business” in order to gain closure and move on
• Learn methods for practicing forgiveness and gratitude, enhancing your relationships and growing in resilience as you age
• Integrate aging with your spiritual path, deepening your experience of authenticity

These teachings are appropriate for the general public, students of Buddhism and Shambhalian practitioners. Healthcare professionals who attend, will be able to incorporate the tools and practices offered in this program in ways beneficial to their clients.

*Because this is an in-person group, please be vaccinated and preferably boosted for everyone’s safety. Participants may wear masks if they choose to do so, but this is optional. If you are experiencing symptoms prior to a group meeting, please do not participate.

Thursday, please arrive 3:00 - 6:00pm for registration.
Dinner will be served at 6:30pm.
The program will officially begin at 7:30pm.

On Sunday, the program will finish by 12:30pm with lunch afterwards.

Visit our Directions and Transportation page to see different options for traveling to Karmê Chöling including pick-up service from Hanover, Lebanon, White River Junction and Burlington to our front door.