MaryAnn Iyer, MD | Blog

Aging as a Spiritual Practice

Aging as Spiritual Practice, Divine Grace emotional health gratitude Kindness possibilites Serenity spirituality True Self

I am teaching a 3 week workshop on Aging as a Spiritual Practice at the Center for Spiritual Wisdom in Brevard. We have an amazing group of elders who are so wise and engaged in this process, I am truly humbled and in awe. I think some of you who are readers of my blog would appreciate the information from our last class.

The invitation in the second class was to review our place in the context of our lineage by entering deeply into the awareness of our mother (for the women)/father (for the men). Imagine living their lives – in their times – under their circumstances. Then zoom up to a birdseye view to observe the patterns of the lineage into which you were born. See how you fit into that, and continue to play out the patterns of your heritage. Notice of that what is helpful/useful – and what you might want to change. You can. This is free will and choice.

The homework for the week was to continue to notice the patterns – and making conscious choices relative to what you see.

Then we wrote – and read – the obituary that might be written for us NOW and most especially we noticed what we wished could have been in there. And, again – realize that now is the time to address that! Choices.

Insights from this class:

All of us feel a certain vulnerability at this time of our lives. If we stay with this – sink deeper into it as an invitation – we can see a way of being that is more honest. More grounded. More real. More truly present with life and those around us. Be very patient; kind to self. All we’ve done has worth. Now we can see/appreciate God’s creation more deeply. By being more quiet, we can invite the Divine in – right in and through us while still on earth.

Paradoxically, while feeling less able to “do”, we can practice more deeply the doing of the Divine through us. It is the will of the ego that is getting weaker here. Don’t fight this. Let it be. Let it rest. Lean into, open up to, allow the breath of the Divine to penetrate more deeply. As we are less ego driven – more present without resistance – we become part of the Gift of God to the planet.

This is the invitation of this time of our Life

Welcome that! Be curious – Let yourself be supported by the Hand of the Divine.

Vipassana Meditation

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Insight Meditation meditation Mind-Body Healing Mindful Meditation, mindfulness Vipassana

Vipassana (aka “Mindfulness” or “Insight””) Meditation originated in Burma in the Theravada or Hinayana Buddhist tradition. Vipassana is based on the premise of Insight which recognizes that it is only by pausing to look within that we can notice our motivations for what we are doing and the stuck patterns of thought that keep us stuck in sometimes maladaptive behaviors.

Vipassana is also known as “Wisdom” meditation – based on the deep understanding of the three basic Buddhist principles of dukkha, anicha, and anatta.

“Dukkha”: the inherent dissatisfaction (suffering) we feel when we argue with reality; either craving for something we don’t have or not wanting what we do have.

“Anicha”: the inherent impermanence of all things. This can be a source of suffering if we are clinging/wanting things to remain the same. It can also be a source of great comfort if we can remember this basic principle in the midst of difficulties.

“Anatta”: the recognition that we are not our labels, roles, names, or even personalities. As we let go of the idea of a fixed identity, it grants us the freedom to be in love with life – in each moment – as it is, as we are.

This means our volition and action are a true choice, given the circumstances of each moment, from our best capacity in that moment, free of the guilt, self-recrimination, or blame of old mental tapes.

This is freedom. This is wisdom. This is Vipassana.

Aging as a Spiritual Practice

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Aging as Spiritual Practice, Divine Grace emotional health fulfillment gratitude Happiness Inner Value Joy Mind-Body Healing mindfulness possibilites

I love noticing how spirituality can be lived out through our ordinary days. Lately I’ve been noticing – given the season of my life – how aging, itself is a profound spiritual practice. Letting go. Letting be. Surrendering. Learning compassion with the self that got out of bed this morning, with the capabilities of today. It’s all right here – every “lesson” ready-made.

Since I want the material I teach in the few workshops I feel called to do to be juicy and relevant – boy did I just hit the jackpot on this one! If you’re in the near area of Brevard, North Carolina, consider joining me at the Center for Spiritual Wisdom in February – for our joint dive into the topic of “Aging as a Spiritual Practice”.

Here are the details:

Aging as a Spiritual Practice
with Dr. Mary Ann Iyer
Mondays, Feb. 13, 20, 27 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Elk Haven Wellness Center, Brevard, N.C.
Aging can be a spiritually growth-filled time if we open to the gifts and possibilities of this stage of our lives. Letting go of historic roles and “self-identities.” Redefining possibilities with sometimes new limitations. Exploring latent talents, desires, aspirations. Finding a deeper sense of value with different priorities.

Join Dr. Mary Ann Iyer, CSW Associate, on Feb. 13, 20 & 27 (Mondays) at 2:00 p.m. at Elk Haven Wellness Center as we explore each of these themes. Dr. Iyer will ask you to consider: What are we invited to open – during this magical time of releasing what was – into what is yet to be?

Mary Ann Iyer, MD has been at the forefront of Mindbody Wellness since 1982. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and with a Masters in Psychology, she takes a uniquely psycho-spiritual approach to healing and wellness.
Choose from 2 types of registration: General Admission at $36 per person or Admission Plus at $66 per person (Admissions Plus helps us underwrite the cost of this and other events). Learn more about “Aging as a Spiritual Practice” HERE.
Register now at Eventbrite