Our world is governed by powerful cycles of transformation. In response to these cycles, we often try to ground ourselves in a sense of permanence or familiarity- a wish to counteract the disorientation and messiness of traversing phases. Despite our best efforts to control, we all remain swept up in the greater rhythms of life. Autumn turns to Winter without consulting our personal calendars- our bodies send us untimely yawns and soup cravings- internally mirroring the external shift of seasons. And finally, following the fallow period of quiet stillness, deep nourishment, and necessary rest… alongside the archetypal return of the light… Spring arrives.

Often associated with imagery of gleaming eggs, pastel hues, and the general sweetness of being newly born- Spring is defined by rebirth and reemergence. Beyond potentially saccharine visions, we confront the reality of change. For anyone who has found themselves crossing one horizon into unknown, murky territory- it becomes quickly apparent that change is both daunting and messy.

One of the most formidable thresholds we may have the fortune of facing greets us at midlife. The Community for Conscious Aging formed in 2018 with an aim of meeting this potent transition, and the path ahead, with intentionality and grace. Our genesis came from conversations between friends about the process of aging, questions about how to find or keep a community, and how to deal with the mounting challenges of aging. A collection of volunteers, committed to an evolving vision of aging well, created a space for engaging these concerns and welcoming others as they embark on and prepare for their own version of the same journey.

Acknowledging the inherently tangled experience of aging, our Spring programming aids in navigation of the forest ahead, sharing light from those with expertise and experience. Monthly ‘Lunch & Learns’ offer free opportunities for folks to convene virtually for an hour, engaging such topics as reclaiming joy in aging, accepting oneself as an ‘emerging elder’, and tending to our personal needs- alongside those in the collective. Workshops and community circles follow, inviting deeper engagement, learning, and connection- all in service to steadying a heartfelt experience of aging.



In the afternoon of our lives, the Community for Conscious Aging sustains an intention to grow an inclusive learning community of vitality, purpose, and wisdom. C.G. Jung wrote, “In the second half of life, the necessity is imposed of recognizing no longer the validity of our former ideals, but of their contraries.” Our upcoming programs confront what’s behind us and support charting the course ahead, so we can approach the journey of aging with clear eyes, supported by communally-held wisdom. We welcome you to join us this Spring.