Announcing a new meeting for Aging In Community - SF Bay Area!

What: Conscious Aging Workshop series

When: Monday, February 4, 1:30 PM (and the following 8 weeks)

Where: Click the link below to find out! Elephant Pharmacy in Berkeley

Who should come: Anyone considering senior cohousing might want to explore this workshop on conscious aging... it is NOT an official group activity, but we hope to come to some of the meetings.

Why: You can learn a lot from decades of study and experience

WORKSHOPS ON CONSCIOUS AGING

A series of 8 weekly workshops on Conscious Aging A Journey into Your
Wisdom, will be offered through Elephant Pharmacy, Berkeley during February
and March. These classes will be held on Mondays,[masked]pm, beginning on
Monday February 4. The classes are free.
For more information see the Elephant Pharm website:
http://www.elephantpharm.com/content/view/79/177/ or contact Edna Ross on
[masked] or
email: <[address removed]>

The work of conscious aging, also know as spiritual eldering or sage-ing, is based on the view that the later stage of life has within it the unique potential for growth for those willing to pursue it. Learn practical guidelines to make acquiring the qualities of an "elder" a deliberate outcome rather than a lucky break. This experiential workshop includes guided and unguided meditation, journaling, sharing in pairs, small groups working together, and fun structured exercises. Please bring a journal and pen.


Conscious Aging Journey into Your Wisdom.
>>
>> The work of 'conscious aging', also know as 'spiritual eldering' or
>> sage-ing', is based on the work of pioneers in this field, in particular
>> Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, author of From Age-ing to Sage-ing and Ram
>> Dass ( Still Here). It is based on the view that the later stage of
life has
>> within it the unique potential for growth for those willing to pursue it.
>>
>> Half of all people who have ever lived to be 65 are currently alive. We
are
>> retiring sooner, living longer and facing decades of life for which we
have
>> had little preparation.
>>
>> The workshop will provide an introduction to the theory and introduce
some of
>> the practices which make acquiring the qualities of an "elder" a
deliberate
>> outcome rather than a lucky break.
>>
>> In the workshop we will begin to explore:
>> * Our images of aging
>> * How we'd like to use our vastly increased longevity
>> * Alternative visions of aging

We will briefly introduce additional aspects of the journey from age-ing to
sage-ing:

>> * Making an intentional inner journey to review our past
>> * Discovering the gift of forgiveness
>> * Converting the rich experiences of a long life into wisdom to benefit
>> ourselves and others
>> * Identifying our beliefs and values, philosophies and life lessons
learned
>> * Reigniting our passions and creatively
>> * Facing mortality as a natural part of the life cycle so we can savor
each
>> day rather than obsess about the future.
>
> The workshop is for:
>
> * Those nearing retirement or retired
>
> * Adults who wish to design their second half of life
>
> * Individuals with aging parents
>
> * Professionals and Care-givers who work with Elders
>
> * Clergy, Social Workers and Hospice workers
>
> * Anyone who one day expects to face the challenge of aging

The presenter of the workshop, Edna Ross, PhD, is currently visiting the US
from Australia as an intern in the Sage-ing Guild Leadership Training
program and studying with Rabbi David Cooper in a 2-year course the Path
of Awareness. A graduate of Sydney University, the University of NSW (PhD in
psychology), and Macquarie University, Sydney, (Masters in Community
Development), she has worked as an educator, researcher, human rights
activist and facilitator. She has practised yoga and meditation for over 20
years and is a student of Jewish mysticism, Buddhism and other contemplative
traditions. She feels privileged to have studied with Rabbi Zalman
Schachter-Shalomi as one of her teachers.

http://www.elephantpharm.com/content/view/79/177/
http://www.elephantpharm.com/berkeley/info/classes-and-events.html?w=20080204

Learn more here:
http://seniors.meetup.com/64/calendar/7250091/