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Elderhood - Giving and Receiving Blessings November 5-6, 2008 Location TBD |
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Reviving a Lost Tradition The role of elder has always been important in primal cultures and still is in many societies around the world. The reason for this is clear. The elders of any society are a repository of its wisdom and are its lineage carriers. Unfortunately in recent years we have seen a diminishing importance of elders and eldership as the pace of change has accelerated and social wisdom is available through books and other media. Our youth and future-oriented culture has equated growing old with being out of touch and not "with it." Many of our most recent elderly have found themselves in senior condos and enclaves separated and "retired." That "has been" perception about eldership is, we believe, about to change dramatically. Most people we know who are coming into that age group look forward to many years of productive service and exciting new options for both career and leisure. Many welcome the coming transitions but not without real fear and uncertainty. The Power of Conscious Passage Because the fear and uncertainty of aging is so prevalent, the Alliance has created an Elder Rites of Passage Program for men over 55. It is our desire to guide men to an awakening of their lifelong journey of trials and knowledge. While aging is a fact of life, coming into eldership requires something deeper and more soulful. In his pioneering book, Aging to Saging, Zalman Schachter makes the powerful case that the aging process can bring with it something special. The later years of life can be the most meaningful and fulfilling of all; but for that to happen we must be awake. We must be present to this transition and consciously choose to move from simply aging into eldering. As with our other important transitions we need to make this passage sacred through conscious personal ritual processes and collective learning. Removing Barriers This Program will look deeply into the stages through which a man must pass to step into his own unique eldership. Some words for these possible stages could be: The Awakening, The Choice, The Struggle, Resolution and Development, Acceptance and Being, In Service, and The Letting Go. We will honor the work we have done and determine what still lays ahead. We will look at our resistance and the barriers to moving into our eldership, fully and consciously. We invite any man over 55 who is willing to face his judgments, honor his shadows, open to the support of his lineage, take the risk of creating his own path, face his mortality, and live his life for the good of the world soul to join us for this exciting adventure into Eldership. We look forward to the shared wisdom of mature men, consciously embracing their aging and the important gifts it can bring. |
Details: Starting and finishing times and dates will be available shortly. Fresh, wholesome meals will be provided. Staff: Tom Daly and other initiated elders. You can view biographies of our staff here. Cost: The total cost of the program is $350-500, sliding scale, which includes lodging and wholesome meals. Scholarships may be available for those with financial needs. Please contact us to discuss a potential scholarship. No one will be turned away because of money. A deposit of $100 is due 21 days in advance of the program start date to hold your reservation. Final payment is due three days prior to program start. A cancellation fee of $100 will be assessed if you cancel less than three days prior to program start. Scholarships may be available for those with financial needs. Please contact our office to discuss a potential scholarship. No one will be turned away because of money. Registration: Online registration available soon: After Registration: Write us a short letter outlining your reasons for coming. Please state your age and provide a brief (one page) history of your life. Be sure to let us know if you have a specific desire for an outcome you would like to achieve at the gathering. Once we have received your registration letter and deposit, you will receive a detailed schedule of retreat activities, a gear list, and a list of questions to entertain as you prepare for the guided passage into authentic elderhood.
Further Information: For more information or other inquiries please contact us |
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