The wonder of aging
Subtitle: a new approach to embracing life after fifty
By: Michael Gurian
Edition: Large print edition.
Series: Thorndike Press large print health, home & learning; Thorndike Press large print health, home & learning
Published: 2014
Language: eng
Number of pages: 521
ISBN-13: 9781410465245
Subjects: Aging; Health and hygiene; Well-being; Older people; Large type books; Age factors
Description: The years after fifty are generally discussed in terms of health: what are the physical symptoms that come with advancing age, and what can we do about them? The Wonder of Aging goes beyond these topics to serve as both a spiritual, meditative guide and a practical exploration of the emotional and psychological dimensions of the second half of life. Family therapist Michael Gurian shows how we become elders. The world needs our wisdom, he argues, and he shows us how to develop and share it. Drawing on groundbreaking research in neuroscience as well as anecdotes from his many clients over the last two decades, Gurian goes beyond the physical-centered view of aging to present a new, holistic paradigm that embraces the soul-enriching opportunities of fifty and beyond. The Wonder of Aging divides the second half of life into three stages: the Age of Transformation, from our late forties to around sixty; the Age of Distinction, from sixty to seventy-five; and the Age of Completion, which involves the final stage of our journey. Discussing topics such as sex, how men and women age differently, the effects of aging on the brain, grandparenting, living with purpose, and what to expect in your last chapter, Gurian also provides meditations and exercises to help you design your present and future.
Notes: Unabridged.

Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: The wonder of aging. The next rite of passage ; Are you in a new stage of life? ; Two women ; Research and vision ; Being and doing ; Being visible; title: Toward a new spirit of aging. Forging a new spirit of aging ; Stress as the catalyst of spirit ; Embracing our age ; A circle of friends ; Becoming an elder ; Choosing freedom; title: The age of transformation. A time like no other ; The stages of age ; Stage 1 : the age of transformation ; Menopause and andropause as spiritual quest ; Developing fearlessness in our fifties ; The rope and the snake; title: The ages of distinction and completion. Stage 2 : the age of distinction ; Identifying your distinction and legacy ; The elder's love ; Devotion and a life of joy ; Women, men, and distinction ; Stage 3: the age of completion ; The spirit of completion ; The final journey of renunciation ; Moses looks back on his life; title: How men and women age differently. Beautiful and life-sustaining difference ; How women and men do conflict differently ; Exploring seven differences, and enjoying them ; Differences that diminish with age ; Help the men age well, too, will you?; title: The wisdom of intimate separateness. The art of intimate separateness ; Sex and the IS paradigm ; The monogamy gene ; A new way of love; title: The amazing grandparent brain. The grandparent brain ; Are grandmothers and grandfathers different? ; The sacred stories of the grandparents ; Stress and the amazing grandparent brain ; You are in the driver's seat; title: A new lifetime of second chances. "Eva's song" ; Completion spirituality ; The place you have found; title: The miracle of dying and death. There's no right way to die, but there is a better way ; Completion spirituality and dying ; Protecting the miracle of your death ; Confronting our fear of abandonment ; Ten concentrations ; "Kathy's song."