Graphic and composite by New Dimensions
The average human lifespan in the US has increased from 47 years in 1900 to 80 years today. Yet, we are drowning in a torrent of advertisements that sell products that promise to reduce the very idea of aging. Even as we live in a culture that is bent on avoiding aging, there exists an enormous potential for cultural change as the generation of the sixties become the elder generation. The New Dimensions’ guest, Ron Pevny, aptly describes becoming an elder as entering a liminal time. “We’re not who we have been, we’re not clear who we’re becoming, but the seeds of possibility are there…It could be a time of feeling lost [because] there aren’t road maps and no clear markers. We can feel that we will be stuck here forever. However, it is out of this ground of being in which wonderful new beginnings and new clarity can emerge.” These four programs, specially selected from the New Dimensions Archive, open us up to the exciting gifts and possibilities of eldering into our wisdom years.
When a realization flashes into our consciousness that we are aging, we tend to tighten up with fear. Negative images of our parents, grandparents, and friends loom before us. Anderson counsels to move from that gripping fear into curiosity. She shares poignant stories about elders and luminaries such as Marion Woodman. This is a deeply personal and moving conversation. Read more »
Aging and Sage-ing Our culture is bent on avoiding aging. The problem with that is every one of us is aging every day. Arrien points to the enormous possibilities for cultural change as we come into our wisdom years. She opens a gateway to personal possibility and an affirmation that we truly can look ahead to the best years of our lives. Read more »
Becoming an elder can be a time of great creativity and contribution. This deep dialogue explores what it means to be to be proactive in approaching aging and becoming an elder in the 21st century. Percy’s research points out that growing older does not mean we can no longer actualize new and healthier futures. These years may be our most influential ones yet. Read more »
Conscious ElderingPevny shares the three phases of coming into elderhood: severance, neutral zone, and reincorporation. We need to sever ourselves from old identities in healthy and honoring ways. Then we enter a neutral zone where the seeds of possibility are gestating. He encourages us to deepen our spirituality so that we can move into reincorporation. Read more »
