Researching the difference between becoming elderly and being an elder

WHITEHORSE – “The world needs more conscious elders,” says PhD candidate Larry Gray.

With people living longer, healthier lives, retirement is often less of a full stop and more of an opportunity to reassess your priorities and where you want to invest your energy.

However, once the job or career you’ve spent decades “having to do” is gone; many people struggle to determine what they want to do next. Gray believes for many of us there is something much more rewarding in store.

“Conscious eldering is about reaching the true pinnacle of your life journey – the peak of your intellectual, emotional and spiritual development,” said Gray.

“And this means taking on the challenging inner work that may be necessary to realise your full potential. There are two parts to this, facing your past and determining your future.”

Gray discovered the idea of conscious eldering while researching his PhD in eco-psychology, which looks at how the human mind connects and interacts with the natural world. Intrigued, he began to take up the challenge himself, starting with a workshop at the Centre for Conscious Eldering in Colorado.

“Everyone has old hurts and wounds we carry around with us, sometimes since childhood. Dealing with this pain and truly putting it away, can not only unleash a great amount of emotional energy, but can also allow for greater insight and reflection –what can be called the wisdom of elders.”

Gray is not advocating mandatory counseling for everyone over 55. He says the psychological and spiritual tasks connected to conscious eldering are often simply allowing time to reflect, ponder and forgive yourself for actions taken long ago.

“It can take different paths for different people and yet is a deeply introspective and incredibly healing process. The process is most effective if supported with the company of other elders-in-the-making and in the presence of nature.”

“I believe a great deal more positive change can happen in our society if we reconnect with the guidance and experience of our elders – but first elders have to reconnect with themselves.”

Please join Larry as he shares his own journey into conscious eldering and aging with intent and passion as part of the Yukon College Brown Bag Lunch Speaker Series on Tuesday November 6 from Noon-1pm in room A2206 (the Lecture Hall).

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For more information, contact:

Michael Vernon
Communications Coordinator
College Relations
Yukon College
867.668.8786
867.332.4722
mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca

Jacqueline Bedard
Director
College Relations
Yukon College
867.456.8619
jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca