The Freedom of Consciously Aging with Carol Orsborn, Ph.D.

Program Number: 3834

Orsborn shares the concept of embracing old age as a transformative process. She emphasizes the importance of accepting reality, embracing mortality, and recognizing one’s belovedness. Orsborn differentiates between hope and expectation, advocating for hope as a vision without attachment to outcomes. She highlights the spiritual journey as a practice of humility, surrender, and curiosity. Orsborn also touches on the evolutionary purpose of old age and the role of spiritual practices in navigating life’s challenges, including illness and loss. Her insights focus on the expansion of consciousness and the acceptance of life’s mysteries. (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Bio

Carol Orsborn, Ph.D. received her Masters of Theological Studies and Doctorate in History and Critical Theory of Religion from Vanderbilt University, with post-graduate work in Spiritual Counseling at the New Seminary in Manhattan. She specialized in adult development and ritual studies. She has served on the faculties of Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, and Georgetown Universities.

Carol Orsborn is the author of:

• Older, Wiser, Fiercer: The Wisdom Collection (self-published 2019)
• The Making of an Old Soul: Aging as the Fulfillment of Life’s Promise (White River Press 2021)
• Spiritual Aging: Weekly Reflections for Embracing Life (Park Street Press 2024)

To learn more about the work of Carol Orsborn, go to www.carolorsborn.com

Topics explored in this dialogue include:

• What it means to grow whole versus growing old
• How to embrace the paradox of feeling more free and powerful as we age despite the limitations
• How to consider aging as a spiritual practice
• How Orsborn embraced the preciousness of life when healing from breast cancer
• How we can expand our spiritual practices even in life’s setbacks
• What is the Joan Chittister quote about the demands of the soul
• How Justine’s sister lives with passion from her bed in a rehab nursing facility
• What are the two tenants of spiritual aging: accept the reality of changes in our life and physicality as we age and believe you are beloved no matter what
• Facing the reality that we no longer have complete mastery over our lives can be challenging, but it also offers profound rewards
• What causes some spiritual people frustration when they cannot suppress their anxiety, fear, and anger about their dying
• What does it mean to be deranged as we age
• Why it is important to listen deeply to what your gut is telling you to do
• To experience bereavement is to know how deeply we love and are loved
• What aging contributes to our reassessment of institutionalized religion
• What is the difference between hope and expectation
• Why it is important to stay in the field of curiosity as we age

Host: Justine Willis Toms    Interview Date: 1/10/2025   Program Number: 3834