Conscious Aging - Institute of Noetic Sciences

March 7
A New Vision for Aging
February 29
Life Review–
Integration &
Transformation
Matt Spalding
Psychologist
Tom Pinkson
Recognition Rites
February 22
End of Life
Cosmologies
Marilyn Mandala Schlitz
IONS President
January 18
Aging Myths &
Misperceptions
Ron Pevny
Center for Conscious
Eldering
Conscious Aging
Telecourse
Wednesday Evenings
January 18 – March 7, 2012
5:00 – 7:00 P.M. (PST)
February 15
Aging &
Worldview Beliefs
Katia Peterson
& Ken Homer
IONS Worldview
Literacy Project
January 25
Coping with Change
& Impermanence
Phillip Moffitt
Life Balance
Institute
February 8
February 1
Developing
Self-Compassion
Sue Steele
Compassion &
Choices
Building
Intergenerational
Wisdom & Connections
Deborah Goldblatt
& Ryan Feinstein
The World Café
Intergeneration
Project

“At a time when the dominant societal view of one’s later years remains one of diminution, loss, and
disengagement from active contribution to the larger community, proponents of conscious aging focus
on the elder years as having the potential for wholeness, passions, purpose, spiritual growth, and commitment
to serving the community. These years have the potential to be the pinnacle of personal development
for those who work toward this goal. However, becoming such an elder doesn’t just happen. It
is the result of conscious choices and preparation at all levels—physical, psychological and spiritual.”
– Ron Pevny
CONSCIOUS AGING TELECOURSE
& COMMUNITY FORUM
January 18 – March 7th, 2012
Becoming an elder is less about chronological aging
and more about transformation and growth in wisdom,
love, and compassion—for oneself and for others. The
third age of life (after 60) is not merely a continuation
of midlife adulthood; it is a distinct stage of possibility
and opportunity as well as loss and letting go. Join us
as we explore the theme of conscious aging together in
community. We will learn the latest research and best
practices related to conscious aging from visionaries,
reflect and share on our own journey, and learn from
each other in small and large group dialogues.
What: A combination of live events conducted via
phone teleconference with optional continued self study
online. You can participate in one, several, or all live
events or a combination of live events and online study.
When: Wednesday evenings 5pm–7pm (PT),
January 18th – March 7th
Where: Conducted live on the phone and available later
as a recording on the IONS website. When you register
you will be given the phone number and access code.
Benefits of this course:
• Choose the pace and time the lessons to your schedule.
You can participate in the course live or listen to it
afterwards in the IONS online media library.
• Learn from leading experts in the field of
conscious aging.
• Engage in community with other IONS members
and friends and participate in dialogues together
about the material that you are learning.
• Participate in small group discussions where you will
have an opportunity to reflect and apply the material
to your own challenges and opportunities while
learning from your peers.
• Continue your learning through the online self-study
lessons and extended online bibliography of teleseminars,
books, articles and videos on conscious aging.
TELECOURSE SESSIONS:
Jan 18: Aging Myths, Stereotypes
& Misperceptions
Ron Pevny – Center for Conscious Eldering
Eldering is less about chronological time and more
about the continual development of wisdom over the
course of a lifespan. The challenges and opportunities
of aging offer new pathways for transformation and
growth. Learn what emotional and spiritual preparation
is needed to support the development of a conscious
elderhood, where you are capable of embracing all of
the inner and outer dynamics of aging.
Jan 25: Increasing Presence and
Embracing Impermanence
Phillip Moffitt – Life Balance Institute
The inevitability of dying and death can make life more
meaningful, leading one to contemplate and accept the
realities of aging and “what is so” (presence) while
enhancing awareness of our impermanence.

Feb 1: Developing Self-Compassion
Sue Steele – Compassion and Choices
Elements of compassion will be explored, including self
kindness, how our suffering connects us to our human
family rather than divides and separates us, and how
mindfulness practices can help reduce critical self talk
when facing issues of aging.
Feb 8: Creating Meaningful Connections
Across Generations
Deborah Goldblatt & Ryan Feinstein – World Café
How can we stay connected across generations and avoid
isolating ourselves to our own “tribe”? Explore the barriers
to positive connection across generations. Learn best
practices for true cross-generational learning and dialogue.
Feb 15: Worldview Transformation
and Eldering
Katia Peterson & Ken Homer –
The Worldview Literacy Project
Examine the power of both conscious and subconscious
beliefs and stereotypes in shaping our worldview of
aging. Transform negative stereotypes into more
life-affirming beliefs about the aging process.
Feb 22: End-of-Life Cosmologies
Marilyn Mandala Schlitz – President CEO
Institute of Noetic Sciences
Learn about IONS’ transformation model as it relates to
conscious aging. Explore the beliefs of other cultures about
what happens to consciousness after death. Discover the
latest research about survival of consciousness. Reflect on
your own beliefs and how they impact your ability to support
others as they move through their process of transition.
Feb 29: Life Review: Harvesting
the Wisdom of your Life
Matt Spalding – Psychologist
Life is lived forward but made sense of by looking
backwards. Discover ways to think about a” life review”
process. Learn from the experiences that others have
had in reviewing their life. Obtain ideas to guide you in
developing your own life review.
Mar 7: Intentionality: Create a
New Vision of Aging
Tom Pinkson – Recognition Rites
Explore the role of intention and attention in creating a
new vision for aging. Focus on key values for building a
life filled with meaning and purpose. Craft an intentionality
statement to guide your actions in your elder years.
CLASS SESSIONS AGENDA:
5:00 Opening and welcome
5:10 Meditation
5:15 Presentation
5:30 Free Write: Self-Reflection Exercise
5:35 Sharing Reflections
5:45 Presentation
6:00 Small group breakout sessions
6:20 Report out from breakout session
with large group
6:40 Harvest the themes and insights from
the small groups
6:50 Questions and answers
6:55 Taking it home. Ideas for further study and
resources available on Collaborize Classroom.
7:00 Appreciation and gratitude
FACILITATORS:
Host Facilitator: Kathleen Erickson-Freeman,
IONS Elder Education Program Manager
IONS Community Guest Facilitators: Annette Goggio,
Shirley Freriks, Lynn Law, Louise Karr, Linda Hassler,
Jane Gignoux, Ann Frost, Juliet Helf, and others.
PRICING:
IONS Members: Regular $75; Income Sensitive $55
Nonmembers: Regular $235; Income Sensitive $110
Registration: Opens December 1, 2011
visit: www.noetic.org to register.