Saging, not Aging by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi,, professor emeritus of Temple University and founder of the Spiritual Eldering Institute is the author of  From Age-ing to Sage-ing’ (Warner books, 1995). Rabbi Zalman says,

“Every life matters immensely; every well-lived and completed  life helps in healing the world.”

“Elders are the jewels of humanity that have been mined from the earth, cut in the rough, then buffed and polished by the stonecutter’s art into precious gems that we recognize for their enduring value and beauty. “

Rabbi  Zalman holds that we all have the potential for fulfilling elder years, but first we may need to free ourselves from resentments or angry feelings over past events by doing forgiveness work.  We also may need to deal with fear of the future and come to terms with our own mortality.  Only then will we be able to pursue our elder years with an open heart. 

More information is available from the Sage-ing Guild, a networking organization. The Eldering Institute, www.eldering.org, suggests life can continuously improve as we get older, provided that we continue to add value (be of service) and that we create and sustain authentic relationships with other of all ages.

A local 22 week information and education session on spiritual aging will start Oct 13th at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 915 E 9th Ave in Denver. Email Sister Macrina Scott, O.S.F at macrina@mpbdenver.org. for additional details.