AGING AS SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE, PART I. . .

‘We convince by our presence.’ –Walt Whitman

Aging grace-fully and aging rooted in contentment is a challenge [An Aside: many years ago I listened to an interview of an author who wrote a biography of a world-famous professional athlete.  When the author was asked of all he learned about this super-star what impacted him the most.  There was at least 20 seconds of silence – a lot of silence for ‘radio-air.’  Then the author said, in a halting voice: ‘Contentment was beyond his reach!’] 

At 73 I know how challenging the aging process is for I am not simply an observer.  I am an active participant; on my good days I am also deeply reflective about this process called aging.  At my best, then, I am a ‘reflective-participant-observer’ in my own life-process.

Consider, gentle reader, that there are five ‘disciplines’ that powerfully impact the aging process.  Each discipline is connected to one of the five dimensions that, for me, work in harmony or discord, to define who I-You-We are (and are choosing to become).  I call these P.I.E.S.S.  The first dimension-discipline is the Physical, the second is the Intellectual, the third is the Emotional, the fourth is the Spiritual, and the fifth is the Social.

In working with others and in engaging my own life-process I have come to believe that one of these tends to be the ‘linchpin’ for the others.  For some the Physical is the linchpin.  My older brother, Steve, is one of these.  If he is taking care of his Physical dimension the other four are easier to care for.  For me, the linchpin is my Spiritual dimension.

As human beings we are entrusted with all five dimensions and the disciplines that are the tap roots that feed, nurture, maintain and sustain them.  As the great Spanish poet, Antonio Machado, asks us: What have you done with the garden entrusted to you?  I like the garden metaphor.  I am, at the same time, the garden I have been entrusted with AND I am the gardener.  Others can help me ‘tend the garden of Richard’ AND in the end, I am ultimately response-able, responsible and accountable for the ‘garden of Richard.’

Since the Spiritual Dimension-Discipline is my linchpin I have decided to write a bit about this ‘dimension-discipline’ within the context of ‘Aging.’  I am remembering that all of the great wisdom teachings teach us that ‘peace of mind’ is possible in whatever circumstances one finds oneself (Viktor Frankl’s powerful memoir ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ supports this view).

Gentle reader, if you have been following my blog these past five years you know that I love stories.  I am thinking of two stories.  I am now thinking of the story of Leo Tolstoy’s death. There are several versions of this story (it reminds me that we should never let ‘facts’ interfere with a good story).  In this version, Tolstoy is lying on a bench in a railroad station; he is dying.  A person in attendance wrote down his last words: ‘What am I now to do?’  This is a common question that emerges in folks as they become aware that they are aging.

I am now thinking of the story about a great Zen Master (are there any stories about Zen Masters who are not great…).  The Zen Master was dying.  The Master was surrounded by a number of disciples.  One of them recorded the Master’s last words: ‘Thank you very much.  I have no complaints.’

As we age, how many of us will utter these words?  What will be our ‘last words’ prior to stepping into death’s carriage?