I really love what you are sharing. I realized as I was reading your post today, that I have been living in the void for the last 12 years. I have become so accustomed to 'not knowing' that it is now a comfortable state for me. I think it is because I do have a very strong faith, can find those moments you talk about in which miracles happen, and I'm happier now than I've ever been. Thank you for being here and sharing your wisdom.
I'm sorry for your pain, Carol, but thankful that you have emerged apparently even stronger on the other side and haven't missed a beat in guiding us, your subscribers/followers.
I found myself in the void a dozen years ago, when I lost my wife and my job at the same time. But it eventually led me to the early retirement that was a dream to which I had always aspired. I now have the freedom to focus on my personal growth, which has led to spiritual growth – or as Dr. Carol Orsborn has taught me, “Psycho-spiritual growth.”
Perhaps the most memorable inspirational encounter that I had in the aftermath of my hitting bottom came when I sought out a meeting with the Rabbi that had officiated at my son’s Bar Mitzvah, even though it had been about five years since I had seen him as I had quit as a member of his congregation. I lamented, “Rabbi, I had a charmed life…” He stopped me short and loudly corrected me, “NO!!! You HAVE a charmed life!” That was the wake-up call that I needed to snap out of it.
Carol, thank you so much for sharing your life threatening experience, and I am so so pleased you are out the other side. Along with the physical crisis, I wonder if it also felt like a spiritual crisis? From what you describe, I sense not. I love that phrase, ‘I am a woman of deep faith. Sometimes’. What a gift to have a nurse like Laura alongside you through the potentially darkest of nights.
Being fairly bipolar by nature, I am all too familiar with the void. Here is what I know…
- it has been the most significant challenge of my life (far more challenging than bereavement, divorce, single parenthood, financial struggles).
- Without my close relationship with the void I wouldn’t be who I am.
- Without knowing the void I wouldn’t have anything like the capacity for compassion and empathy; precious qualities I wouldn’t be without.
- Naming when I am in that space (to carefully chosen family members or friends), while being clear there is no fixing to be done, is healing in itself. It takes the power from the demons (who are at their happiest with dark secrets), and the ‘making whole’ can begin.
- Endurance is an under-rated quality. Sometimes simply getting through is to be celebrated.
- The spiritual enrichment that emerges from the void does not readily lend itself to words.
Thanks Charlotte! You guess right… lesser spiritual crisis and more a spiritual opportunity. You get it. The gift of the void. Thank you for being part of my Spiritual practice on an ongoing basis.
Your note was much appreciated though I was sincerely sorry to hear you have had to go through surgery. It sounds like the future is very hopeful, for which I am grateful. Such unplanned happenings seem to be part of the aging agenda. Be assured of my prayers and best wishes for recovery. Haven't yet attended to this week's questions - but that will come.
I have never experienced the deep sense of loss that you describe as the void. I am grateful for that. Hearing your story evokes concern about what could be in my future, but knowing that you got through it also helps provide an antidote. For now, I will just count my blessings.
Thanks, Glen. There are certainly easier ways to go however, my experience was transformative and where I’ve come to was worth every moment of it and I could not imagine getting here any other way. My message to you and all others is if you are practicing spiritual aging as you are there’s nothing to be afraid of!
I've landed here this morning, I feel, on a wing and a prayer. As a new subscriber, I feel devinly guided here during a time that I am in "a place that scares me".After an unexpected event last week that finds me sitting here with an electronic device in my chest to tell my heart what to do. I'm overwhelmed with processing!
However, having walked through other places that have scared me in the last 7 decades, I am able to draw on that "muscle memory" mentioned here which lead me to a deep knowing that Carol's books and followers will shine light on the s*#tty committee in my head.
Question please....Can you advise if I should begin the book right here where ya'll are, or would it be best for a new commer to begin with week one. My instincts are telling me to stay here where I can enjoy the comraderie and amazing insights that already feel like a hug from the angels.
Greetings, dear soul sister. Welcome to the land of old souls! Why don’t you jump in right where we are and you’ll get to know us very quickly as we will get to know you. Warmly, Carol PS I feel that it’s important to tell you that while I wish it had happened another way, what I went through has ushered in a transformation so profound and welcome, but that I could not imagine having come about any other way. I will definitely be sharing more as the days weeks and months unfold.… Preferably years and decades!
I just finished this week's exercises and found them the bring a sense of insight, and realization as to how my many times of being "in labor" has always, without exception, given birth to a renewed spirit. I have had many angels and guides disguised as pain, grief, anger , fear and just plain jerks. I am thankful for all that is given, all that has been taken from me and all that remains...most of the time. And when I'm not , I'm able to feel my way through it without the old unhealthy diversions I've used in the past.
Sing it sister! I’m sure you and I both wish there was an easy way or workaround. And it’s hard for people who don’t have an advanced spiritual practice to ever admit that the transformation that resulted was was worth it. What is required to practice spiritual aging in an authentic way is to not just using old manipulations to solve the problem of aging but a radical leap of faith into a transform relationship with the meaning of life and the deepest levels. I’m so glad that you took the time to write and share your experience with us.
I am doing some much overdue catching up on the day after "we" started sending bombs into Iran. The pain of politics aside, it seems like stepping into the void, and facing the pain, suffering, and inequities is something we are being asked to do culturally. So the art of embracing aging has some parallels with embracing what is unravelling globally. I can't say that I always like either—or that I can face the future without some fear. (The thought of launching a nuclear war is still chilling.)
Yet, I am also struck by the possibility that facing the void, the fear, and the massive shifts occurring is a portal—a door opening to deep spiritual connection and a way of living with the Divine that goes beyond anything I have known.
I hope that you are fully back on your feet, Carol, so sorry you had to go through a way stop at the hospital.
Thanks so much for drawing the parallel. That is why aging is a combination and why elders are so important. As for me, check one more thing I don’t have to fear anymore off my list!
I really love what you are sharing. I realized as I was reading your post today, that I have been living in the void for the last 12 years. I have become so accustomed to 'not knowing' that it is now a comfortable state for me. I think it is because I do have a very strong faith, can find those moments you talk about in which miracles happen, and I'm happier now than I've ever been. Thank you for being here and sharing your wisdom.
If you are happier than you've ever been after a dozen years living in the void, that's quite a testament to your faith, Ali.
Yes Steve. And thank you
I'm sorry for your pain, Carol, but thankful that you have emerged apparently even stronger on the other side and haven't missed a beat in guiding us, your subscribers/followers.
I found myself in the void a dozen years ago, when I lost my wife and my job at the same time. But it eventually led me to the early retirement that was a dream to which I had always aspired. I now have the freedom to focus on my personal growth, which has led to spiritual growth – or as Dr. Carol Orsborn has taught me, “Psycho-spiritual growth.”
Perhaps the most memorable inspirational encounter that I had in the aftermath of my hitting bottom came when I sought out a meeting with the Rabbi that had officiated at my son’s Bar Mitzvah, even though it had been about five years since I had seen him as I had quit as a member of his congregation. I lamented, “Rabbi, I had a charmed life…” He stopped me short and loudly corrected me, “NO!!! You HAVE a charmed life!” That was the wake-up call that I needed to snap out of it.
Carol, thank you so much for sharing your life threatening experience, and I am so so pleased you are out the other side. Along with the physical crisis, I wonder if it also felt like a spiritual crisis? From what you describe, I sense not. I love that phrase, ‘I am a woman of deep faith. Sometimes’. What a gift to have a nurse like Laura alongside you through the potentially darkest of nights.
Being fairly bipolar by nature, I am all too familiar with the void. Here is what I know…
- it has been the most significant challenge of my life (far more challenging than bereavement, divorce, single parenthood, financial struggles).
- Without my close relationship with the void I wouldn’t be who I am.
- Without knowing the void I wouldn’t have anything like the capacity for compassion and empathy; precious qualities I wouldn’t be without.
- Naming when I am in that space (to carefully chosen family members or friends), while being clear there is no fixing to be done, is healing in itself. It takes the power from the demons (who are at their happiest with dark secrets), and the ‘making whole’ can begin.
- Endurance is an under-rated quality. Sometimes simply getting through is to be celebrated.
- The spiritual enrichment that emerges from the void does not readily lend itself to words.
"Endurance is an under-rated quality. Sometimes simply getting through is to be celebrated." This is a great observation, and so true.
Thanks Charlotte! You guess right… lesser spiritual crisis and more a spiritual opportunity. You get it. The gift of the void. Thank you for being part of my Spiritual practice on an ongoing basis.
Carol.
Your note was much appreciated though I was sincerely sorry to hear you have had to go through surgery. It sounds like the future is very hopeful, for which I am grateful. Such unplanned happenings seem to be part of the aging agenda. Be assured of my prayers and best wishes for recovery. Haven't yet attended to this week's questions - but that will come.
Blessings! Mary Rose
I have never experienced the deep sense of loss that you describe as the void. I am grateful for that. Hearing your story evokes concern about what could be in my future, but knowing that you got through it also helps provide an antidote. For now, I will just count my blessings.
Thanks, Glen. There are certainly easier ways to go however, my experience was transformative and where I’ve come to was worth every moment of it and I could not imagine getting here any other way. My message to you and all others is if you are practicing spiritual aging as you are there’s nothing to be afraid of!
I've landed here this morning, I feel, on a wing and a prayer. As a new subscriber, I feel devinly guided here during a time that I am in "a place that scares me".After an unexpected event last week that finds me sitting here with an electronic device in my chest to tell my heart what to do. I'm overwhelmed with processing!
However, having walked through other places that have scared me in the last 7 decades, I am able to draw on that "muscle memory" mentioned here which lead me to a deep knowing that Carol's books and followers will shine light on the s*#tty committee in my head.
Question please....Can you advise if I should begin the book right here where ya'll are, or would it be best for a new commer to begin with week one. My instincts are telling me to stay here where I can enjoy the comraderie and amazing insights that already feel like a hug from the angels.
Greetings, dear soul sister. Welcome to the land of old souls! Why don’t you jump in right where we are and you’ll get to know us very quickly as we will get to know you. Warmly, Carol PS I feel that it’s important to tell you that while I wish it had happened another way, what I went through has ushered in a transformation so profound and welcome, but that I could not imagine having come about any other way. I will definitely be sharing more as the days weeks and months unfold.… Preferably years and decades!
TY for the warm welcome. I wish you a magical recovery journey 💞
You too!
I just finished this week's exercises and found them the bring a sense of insight, and realization as to how my many times of being "in labor" has always, without exception, given birth to a renewed spirit. I have had many angels and guides disguised as pain, grief, anger , fear and just plain jerks. I am thankful for all that is given, all that has been taken from me and all that remains...most of the time. And when I'm not , I'm able to feel my way through it without the old unhealthy diversions I've used in the past.
Sing it sister! I’m sure you and I both wish there was an easy way or workaround. And it’s hard for people who don’t have an advanced spiritual practice to ever admit that the transformation that resulted was was worth it. What is required to practice spiritual aging in an authentic way is to not just using old manipulations to solve the problem of aging but a radical leap of faith into a transform relationship with the meaning of life and the deepest levels. I’m so glad that you took the time to write and share your experience with us.
I am doing some much overdue catching up on the day after "we" started sending bombs into Iran. The pain of politics aside, it seems like stepping into the void, and facing the pain, suffering, and inequities is something we are being asked to do culturally. So the art of embracing aging has some parallels with embracing what is unravelling globally. I can't say that I always like either—or that I can face the future without some fear. (The thought of launching a nuclear war is still chilling.)
Yet, I am also struck by the possibility that facing the void, the fear, and the massive shifts occurring is a portal—a door opening to deep spiritual connection and a way of living with the Divine that goes beyond anything I have known.
I hope that you are fully back on your feet, Carol, so sorry you had to go through a way stop at the hospital.
Thanks so much for drawing the parallel. That is why aging is a combination and why elders are so important. As for me, check one more thing I don’t have to fear anymore off my list!