Aging for Beginners
Monthly Discussion Group
Meetings start January 16th and continue once a month (2/6, 3/13, 4/3, 5/1 & 6/5)
3:30 to 4:45 PM ET (New time!)
Meets on Zoom, click for links
Led by Andrea Sherman and Kevin Gormley
No registration is necessary.
Please join us as we explore the journey of growing older from a Buddhist perspective. For this winter, we will read the book No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering by renowned Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, as he guides us in finding happiness by transforming and acknowledging our suffering.
Aging is so much more than just sickness and loss. It also holds the possibility of wakefulness and creativity. How can we explore the landscape of aging and navigate the challenges of getting older? Can we use the truth of impermanence and the truth of suffering: the loss of our physical and mental capabilities, the loss of friends and loved ones, etc. to transform our lives? Instead of shutting down and withdrawing, can we open up and use these events to enhance our precious human life? If old age, sickness, and death are inevitable, can we learn to utilize the “mud” of aging to nurture our full bloom in this life?
Join us as we learn to transform our suffering by exploring Buddhist practices of breathing exercises, mantra recitation, being present with strong emotions, Metta meditation, deep relaxation, mindfulness, and walking meditation.
“Most people are afraid of suffering. But suffering is a kind of mud to help the lotus flower of happiness grow. There can be no lotus flower without the mud.”
–Thich Nhat Hanh
“Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between inner peace and peace on Earth.”
–His Holiness the Dalai Lama
