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Fall 2006
Sage-ing Circle
brochure (197 KB)
See a description of the Sage-ing® Circle
Programs on Positive Aging
Introduction
Transformations programs on Positive Aging include the concepts of Spiritual Eldering® and Sage-ing®, terms sometimes used synonymously to describe a profound new vision of growing older. This concept radically challenges stereotypes of aging and encourages individuals to make a conscious choice to transform a lifetime of experience into forgiveness and wisdom, old resentments into blessings and to embark on a vital search for meaning and spiritual growth in order to build a legacy for future generations.
Transformations Programs
Transformations programs on positive aging acknowledge the full range of realities and potentialities of aging. But rather than seeing aging as a problem to be solved, or an unending series of physical diminishments and losses, the focus is on aging as a natural stage of adult development. This late life development stage, noticed only as large numbers of the population began living into their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond, has been explored extensively by psychologists, psychiatrists, gerontologists, sociologists and theologians. Researchers such as Eric Erikson and Carl Jung, in particular, have asserted that the unique gift of the expanding elder years reveals a natural yearning for meaning and capacity for inner growth. Older adults have unique opportunities and freedoms because of their age. The later adult years can be a time of profound liberation, inner growth, and spiritual development. Elders can be wisdom-keepers, mentors, agents of evolution and healers of the planet.
Transformations Programming Initiative
The vision statement of the Transformations Spirituality Center includes the goal to "encourage individuals to grow spiritually through developing a deeper sense of reverence in relationship to self, others, nature, earth and God." Spiritual Eldering is an excellent expression of this goal and has become a regular part of our programming. In 2004 we received a grant in support of this program initiative through the Kalamazoo Community Foundation to further our efforts to become a unique community resource for older adults.
Background
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi coined the word "sage-ing" to describe a late life development stage that radically challenges stereotypes of aging and reclaims the right of older adults to age without stigma. Transformations programs on aging are drawn from a trans-denominational curriculum based on the work of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, author of From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Profound New Vision of Growing Older© (Warner Books, New York, 1997) and founder of the Spiritual Eldering Institute of Boulder, Colorado. This curriculum is unique and on the cutting edge of a growing movement to reframe what it means to grow older in our culture. Rabbi Zalman gathered information from history, psychology, gerontology and other disciplines, traditional and nontraditional sources of the world's wisdom literature and his own rich life experience to develop a unique vision of aging.
Who is Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi is a beloved rabbi in the Jewish faith who became the great sage of a worldwide movement of Jewish renewal by virtue of his keen understanding of where his own tradition can connect with the psycho-eco-spiritual revolutions of our millennial age. He is frequently quoted in books and literature on spirituality and has appeared on panels with luminaries such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and former Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel. In 2003, Schachter-Shalomi was named by the American Association of Retired People as one of its "Fearless 50," for his work on aging, an honor given to those who represent the greatest innovators over age 50.
Who Attends
People who attend Spiritual Eldering programs at Transformations Spirituality Center range in age on averagefrom 40 to 85. Their reasons for attending are both personal and professional. Pre- and post-tests of participants in our first Sage-ing Circle demonstrated a significant positive shift in attitudes toward aging as a result of attending.
Formats
The Sage-ing content is offered in several formats; a 12-module series, called a "Sage-ing® Circle," and stand-alone programs on a variety of individual topics offered in half day, all day, or retreat formats. The Sage-ing Circle curriculum won the 2004 National Mature Media Award. Programs are offered at Transformations Spirituality Center, 3427 Gull Road. There is a charge for the programs. A free one-hour introductory session is offered by request at senior centers, churches, and other locations as Transformations' staff time allows.
Facilitators/Credentials
Transformations' facilitators have received specialized training through the Spiritual Eldering® Institute of Boulder, Colorado. Currently there are four Sage-ing facilitators who teach the programs at Transformations. Spiritual Eldering and Sage-ing are copyrighted terms owned by the Spiritual Eldering Institute and can be used only by organizations or individuals who have successfully completed the training programs developed by the institute.
Elder Council
In 2002, Transformations convened an Elder Council to help guide and support these programs. Currently there are eight members on the council from throughout the region who meet bimonthly at Transformations.
Members include:
Sharon Cipriano Galbreath
Janet Devine
Mimi Gabriel
Gertrude Maurer, SSJ
Stephen Peck
Marie Warner
Joe Yankech
Michele Gossman (ex officio)
Topics covered are:
|
The Spiritual Eldering Journey |
Tools for Expanding Consciousness |
The Essence of Spiritual Eldering
| 1. | To be willing to deal with life completion; to overcome the desire to stay in denial of aging. | 2. | To come to terms with one's mortality. | 3. | To acquire skills for doing "inner" work: • Journaling • Meditation • Imaginal Exercise • Creating a safe and sacred space for sharing with another person |
4. | To pay attention to your body, feelings, mind and spirit. | 5. | To give a real hearing to the inner voices of your intuition. | 6. | To begin life repair. • Health and practical matters with wills and with testaments • In relationships and between generations • Reaching into the past and offering release and healing • Doing forgiveness work with release from vindictiveness and anger • Finding the pearls of wisdom in anxious memories from the past |
7. | To do the philosophical homework. • Raising questions about the purpose and meaning of our lives • Answering the question, "Where do I fit in?" |
8. | To serve as a Sage/Elder to others. • As a guide, mentor, agent of healing and reconciliation • On behalf of the planet, the nation, and the family • Being a Wisdom Keeper. |
9. | To prepare for a serene death and afterlife. • Furnishing solitude with one's spirit and one's God |
10. | To do this nobly, in connection with one's own spiritual/religious tradition. • With the inner, actualized self already realized, individuated and completed. |