Sage-ing Guild

The Sage-ing® Guild

Changing the paradigm from Aging to Sage-ing®
On June 27, 2009, the Elderhood Institute of West Linn, Oregon plans to offer a day long class introducing the Elderhood Reflection Series to the community. This is an opportunity to share the second half of life spiritual adventure we are calling the Elder Journey. The seven stages of which are
  1. One, The Awakening: "At some point there is an awakening to the call to become an Elder...It will be a call...to move on and/or change his [a man's] his path...He will know it as an invitation to function without doing."
  2. Two, The Choice: "...if [an older man] has chosen to continue to grow and develop, he is ready to...realize the power of choosing consciously how he is to live the rest of his life."
  3. Three, The Struggle—Facing the Shadows of Old Age: "Our culture defines old age as a time of decline and disengagement. Choosing otherwise will sometimes feel like 'swimming against a current.'"
  4. Four, Resolution and Development of the Tools and Skills of Elderhood: "Participating in gatherings and activities of 'The Elders,' storytelling, ceremony, and passing of family history and gifts of wisdom and blessing to the next generation are key parts of Elder activities in this time of life."
  5. Five, Acceptance and Being: "This is the turning point—the break through. It is a time to enjoy the vibrancy of life, to stop worrying and come to each day with joy and the gift of another day."
  6. Six, In Service: "I am aware that, as an elder, my mission has changed. With my elder mission of service, I can live out my life with a sense of purpose and meaning."
  7. Seven, Passing it On and Passing On: "The elder has faced and lives with the absolute certainty of his approaching death. We also want to leave a legacy. This season is a time to share what we have acquired with those who are ready to receive it."

The event will be at Unity of Bellevue, 16330 NE 4th St, West Linn OR. The cost is $100, which includes lunch.

Terry Jones is a member of the Northwest Center of the Man Kind Project. The Series is being tested among the men in this organization in various parts of the USA. Once a man experiences the seven, three hour modules in the Elderhood Reflection Series, he is more able to design and carry out his personal elder journey.

The Elderhood Institute educational and consulting organization publishes the Elderhood Reflection Series. The material in the series is based on material found in three books: two by Terry Jones [The Elder Within (Bookpartners, Wilsonville OR, 2001) and Elder (Elderhood Institute, West Linn OR, 2006)] and one by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (From Age-ing to Sage-ing, Warner Books, New York, 1995).

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