Useful Resources on Aging and Spirituality:

Spiritual Eldering® Institute →

The Spiritual Eldering® Institute is a multi-faith organization dedicated to the spiritual dimensions of aging and conscious living, to affirming the importance of the elder years, and to teaching individuals how to harvest their life's wisdom and transform it into a legacy for future generations.

ElderHealth Northwest →

ElderHealth Northwest provides adult day-health care that helps frail elders and people with chronic illnesses to remain living in the community as independently as possible. ElderHealth's mission is based on respect, dignity and compassion.

Antioch University →

Antioch University exists to develop students and graduates who desire to grow in their commitment to the improvement of the human condition through responsible leadership in their careers and communities.

WomanSpirit Center →

WomanSpirit Center promotes the transformation of women in the following three areas: spirituality; personal growth and transitions; and the feminine in the world. WomanSpirit Center celebrates and connects by creating an environment and experiences that free the spirit and deepen growth. At WomanSpirit Center, you will find a setting which allows you to explore, ponder, learn and experience in safety.

Recommended Reading:

Arrien, Angeles (2005) The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom. Boulder, CO: Sounds True.

A beautiful book looking at the tasks of aging through the eyes of an anthropologist who views this journey cross-culturally and pulls from many wisdom traditions.

Hollis, James (2005) Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up. N.Y.: Gotham Books.

A wonderful book to help with soul-tending in mid-life and beyond. A Jungian analyst helps us to negotiate the complexities of finding meaning as we age.

Rizzetto, Diane Eshin (2005) Waking Up to What You Do. Boston: Shambala.

A zen practice for meeting every situation with intelligence and compassion. Rizzetto helps us to examine ways of being in the world that are life giving to ourselves, others, and the planet.

Schacter-Shalomi, Zalman and Ronald S. Miller (1995) From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Profound Vision of Growing Older. N.Y.: Warner Books.

An overview from psychological, physical, spiritual, and sociological perspectives about tasks of aging and what conscious approaches to aging can lead to in terms of becoming elders and sages.

Thomas, William H. M.D. (2004) What Are Old People For?: How Elders Will Save the World. N.Y.: Vander Wyk and Burnham.

An insightful book that recognizes the nature of the physical and spiritual journeys in the second half of life and the richess that elders have to offer.