Growing Wiser, Ageism & Death
Death is a profound subject that evokes significant apprehension within Western Culture. This fear is entirely understandable on a personal level. However, in contrast, there exist cultures, often rooted in antiquity, that approach aging and death with a perspective that is both healthier and more enlightening.
Death is not a design flaw. This level of existence, on the earth plane is set up perfectly imperfect. It’s a school for the soul. Consciously, we are here to grow our souls. Yet—many of us come here and fall asleep.
As a woman in her thirties, navigating modern Western society, I find the dialogue surrounding aging and death to be not only intriguing but also essential. Is there a way to age gracefully, so that when we reach the later stages of life, we are not plagued by questions of existential purpose? It seems to me that in today's world, these inquiries arise much earlier than anticipated, stemming from a death of introspection, a quest for meaning, and a deeper connection to spirituality.
Embarking on the journey of aging, as I notice my first gray hair and subtle wrinkles, I am struck by a mixture of melancholy and empowerment. It saddens me that our society fails to embrace this natural process, particularly for women. Yet, this realization empowers me to initiate conversations and reflections on the matter.
Our society is rife with ageism, perpetuated by the images and narratives that inundate us, shaping our perceptions and behaviors unconsciously. In American culture, the fixation on youth appears to be intricately linked to the fear of mortality, obscuring the true essence of aging as a voyage towards wisdom.
The questions that arise:
What is all of this life for?
Why are we still here?
What do we (still) have to offer?
Wonderfully wise and ahead of his times, Psychoanalyst Carl Jung, believed that aging fulfilled a necessary function, sharing:
“A human being would certainly not grow to be 70 or 80 if this longevity had no meaning for the species.”
Despite the prevailing culture's emphasis on achievement and material wealth, there remains a conspicuous absence of discourse around spirituality. Yet, it is in embracing the spiritual dimension of existence that we find profound fulfillment and meaning beyond mere external accomplishments.
