As great a guide as Carol is, it's an even more enlightening journey when you get other's perspectives. And getting feedback on thoughts that you have posted is also very valuable.
Thanks Steve. This is very affirming. It was my goal to set up an interactive community that was not dependent on any particular leader, and you all have breathe life into this community.
It is always interesting to read the reflections of others. The commentary keeps the subject front and center since there are no answers. Curiosity can lead to wisdom.
I'm brand new to the group, and happy I decided to join as a paid member. You all are so welcoming , warm and non judgemental. It feels like a safe place to share my thoughts and enjoy the feedback and epiphanies that come from it. I'm going through some health challenges right now and this is a wonderful adjunct to help me move in to acceptance of the here and now. It's also gratifying that my experience might help someone else work through whatever hard things they might be facing.
I believe that we do not grow alone. We need others. The comments from others stretch me beyond my own experience into new insights and broader awareness. Making a comment, forces me to clarify and articulate learning that might otherwise remind fuzzy. Regular comments from others creates a sense of genuine interest and care. All of this is good and can only happen by risking outreach and creating connections.
I was speaking with someone the other day about spiritual practices. I recalled the many periods in my life when I delved into crystals, meditation, retreats, Reiki, iconography etc. Then I realized that right now, being part of online spiritual communities is one of my primary practices. It’s great to realize that I am writing commentaries or speaking in chat rooms with like-minded people across the continent. I would never have anticipated that aging could expand my horizons, not shrink them.
So true! I look forward to your comments the way I look forward to a coffee chat with a really good friend… Without having to worry about the caffeine!
We're living at a time and in a place where the most important elements of human life are regularly dismissed or ignored by the powers-that-be. I'm talking about "liberal" or "cosmopolitan" institutions like Harvard or the N.Y. Times. What is dismissed? Well, things that sound like religion, unless it's made reframed as "spirituality." "I'm not religious but I'm spiritual," where "spirituality" can include just about anything one is enthusiastic about. Dreams and dreamwork are also dismissed. So is aging. I could go on and on, but I won't. Well, Carol has created a network, and written books, about Spiritual Aging, and she's told everyone that she relied on a thousand dreams to inspire her. That's enough to get her dismissed by the powers-that-be. Aging becomes "positive aging" and then described as activity and productivity, typically denial of age: I speak from experience at age 80 now. I'm also a dreamworker and Carol helped me publish a new book on dreams and age. I won't go on. I'm grateful to her and I'm sure readers of this post are grateful, too. I will only quote my first inspiration, Meister Eckhart (d. 1326) who said, "If the only prayer you say in your lifetime is 'Thank You,' that's enough." Carol, that's what I want to say to you: Thank You for what you do and for who you are. (Harry Rick Moody, San Mateo, CA)
I’m honored Rick. Thank you. Can’t wait for your book to be published. In terms of academic institutions, we both got doctorate. They qualified us as adult development experts. I don’t think it would’ve mattered if they had been liberal or conservative institutions… Academics just don’t wanna touch spirituality, dream work, mystical experience. Or anything that is turned out to matter to me most with a 10 foot pole. They are afraid of looking foolish. The ones who were courageous were William James at rank, whitehead, Jung, Einstein, and a handful of others who discovered as did I that when you use all of your scientific tools to explain away everything possible., There’s still something more that defies, rational thought and the scientific method. I love that Einstein said that the most important question every individual needs to ask him or herself is is this a friendly universe or not? That is not an academic question but the question that motivates our journeys through both academics and spiritual realms. One of the greatest milestones in my life was when I knew for myself, the answer is yes. You are part of that yes for which I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
The main value for me is thinking through my response to the question that has been posed. After doing that, I read what others have posted. Sometimes I find the perspective of others to be much different from my own. Then I puzzle on why that is. If we didn't have the interaction then the exercise would be the same as reading a book. And I have so many books that remain unread (sigh). I like the format-although occasionally it might be even more interesting if we had an interactive zoom session.
Glen, we DO have an interactive Zoom session on the first Tuesday of the month this year. I hear you about the books. We'll read as many as we can. Here's hoping that we'll prioritize them well.
I’ve learned that there’s no challenge I’ve had that hasn’t been faced by others…feel so less alone!
I like the different perspectives and the deepening of the conversation. I think the weekly format keeps me thinking about spirituality and aging.
As great a guide as Carol is, it's an even more enlightening journey when you get other's perspectives. And getting feedback on thoughts that you have posted is also very valuable.
Thanks Steve. This is very affirming. It was my goal to set up an interactive community that was not dependent on any particular leader, and you all have breathe life into this community.
It is always interesting to read the reflections of others. The commentary keeps the subject front and center since there are no answers. Curiosity can lead to wisdom.
I don't know where I'm going but I am a seeker. If you seek, you may find.
I'm brand new to the group, and happy I decided to join as a paid member. You all are so welcoming , warm and non judgemental. It feels like a safe place to share my thoughts and enjoy the feedback and epiphanies that come from it. I'm going through some health challenges right now and this is a wonderful adjunct to help me move in to acceptance of the here and now. It's also gratifying that my experience might help someone else work through whatever hard things they might be facing.
Once again welcome! So glad to have you on board. You get what we’re about and we treasure our fellow old souls!
🙏🤗
I believe that we do not grow alone. We need others. The comments from others stretch me beyond my own experience into new insights and broader awareness. Making a comment, forces me to clarify and articulate learning that might otherwise remind fuzzy. Regular comments from others creates a sense of genuine interest and care. All of this is good and can only happen by risking outreach and creating connections.
I was speaking with someone the other day about spiritual practices. I recalled the many periods in my life when I delved into crystals, meditation, retreats, Reiki, iconography etc. Then I realized that right now, being part of online spiritual communities is one of my primary practices. It’s great to realize that I am writing commentaries or speaking in chat rooms with like-minded people across the continent. I would never have anticipated that aging could expand my horizons, not shrink them.
So true! I look forward to your comments the way I look forward to a coffee chat with a really good friend… Without having to worry about the caffeine!
🤗🤗
We're living at a time and in a place where the most important elements of human life are regularly dismissed or ignored by the powers-that-be. I'm talking about "liberal" or "cosmopolitan" institutions like Harvard or the N.Y. Times. What is dismissed? Well, things that sound like religion, unless it's made reframed as "spirituality." "I'm not religious but I'm spiritual," where "spirituality" can include just about anything one is enthusiastic about. Dreams and dreamwork are also dismissed. So is aging. I could go on and on, but I won't. Well, Carol has created a network, and written books, about Spiritual Aging, and she's told everyone that she relied on a thousand dreams to inspire her. That's enough to get her dismissed by the powers-that-be. Aging becomes "positive aging" and then described as activity and productivity, typically denial of age: I speak from experience at age 80 now. I'm also a dreamworker and Carol helped me publish a new book on dreams and age. I won't go on. I'm grateful to her and I'm sure readers of this post are grateful, too. I will only quote my first inspiration, Meister Eckhart (d. 1326) who said, "If the only prayer you say in your lifetime is 'Thank You,' that's enough." Carol, that's what I want to say to you: Thank You for what you do and for who you are. (Harry Rick Moody, San Mateo, CA)
I’m honored Rick. Thank you. Can’t wait for your book to be published. In terms of academic institutions, we both got doctorate. They qualified us as adult development experts. I don’t think it would’ve mattered if they had been liberal or conservative institutions… Academics just don’t wanna touch spirituality, dream work, mystical experience. Or anything that is turned out to matter to me most with a 10 foot pole. They are afraid of looking foolish. The ones who were courageous were William James at rank, whitehead, Jung, Einstein, and a handful of others who discovered as did I that when you use all of your scientific tools to explain away everything possible., There’s still something more that defies, rational thought and the scientific method. I love that Einstein said that the most important question every individual needs to ask him or herself is is this a friendly universe or not? That is not an academic question but the question that motivates our journeys through both academics and spiritual realms. One of the greatest milestones in my life was when I knew for myself, the answer is yes. You are part of that yes for which I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Otto Rank
Thought provoking. Thank you
The main value for me is thinking through my response to the question that has been posed. After doing that, I read what others have posted. Sometimes I find the perspective of others to be much different from my own. Then I puzzle on why that is. If we didn't have the interaction then the exercise would be the same as reading a book. And I have so many books that remain unread (sigh). I like the format-although occasionally it might be even more interesting if we had an interactive zoom session.
Glen, we DO have an interactive Zoom session on the first Tuesday of the month this year. I hear you about the books. We'll read as many as we can. Here's hoping that we'll prioritize them well.