The Sage-ing Guild Communicator

    

The Sage-ing Guild Communicator
Changing the paradigm from Aging to Sage-ing®

February 2009

    

2009-1

In This Issue


•Sage-ing Guild News
•Of Interest
•Questions & Answers
•Links
•Membership
•Merchandise
•E-Letters

Coordinating Circle

Gary Carlson, Chair
Carol Bourne
Judy Charlick
Lorri Danzig
Cheryl Goodman
Trudy Medcalf
Sandy Sabersky
Paul Severance

Contact Us

www.sage-ingguild.org



Membership


Wisdom Circle: Key figures who have made significant contributions for elders in the world and who share our vision of "changing the paradigm from aging to Sage-ing®."

We are honored to have the following sages in our Wisdom Circle: Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Angeles Arrien, Robert Atchley, Connie Goldman, Richard Leider, Wendy Lustbader, Rick Moody, and William Thomas.

Professional members: Our membership is always open to both Certified Sage-ing Leaders and Sage-ing Circle Facilitators. Our trained Professional Sage-ing Guild members who by supporting the SG have access to the members-only web site and receive discounts for SG events and merchandise among other advantages.

Associate members: Benefits of Associate membership include:
  • Knowledge that they're supporting the Guild in its work for elders
  • Knowledge that they're supporting the Sage-ing work of Reb Zalman
  • Networking with other members thru listserv
  • Discounts on merchandise
  • Occasional e-newsletter
  • Regional association with other Guild members
  • Discounts on regional, national meetings

    Please see the Sage-ing Guild website for details, including membership forms.

    In response to those who find the membership dues too dear, we will honor any Sage-ing Leader who sends what s/he feels is appropriate with membership.


    Merchandise


    NEW: 2½" round stickers for class folders and more. Twenty-five for $5.00 + $1.50 postage and handling



    The Sage-ing Workbook previously published by SEI has been revived by Bahira Sugarman, Reb Shaya Isenberg and Lynne Iser (which they originally compiled in 1996). It now is in a beautiful new 83-page format for the Sage-ing Guild, with 35 photographs that greatly enhance its appearance and its effectiveness. The Sage-ing content is not changed, just its appearance, which adds a deeper meaning to the words. We now have a variety of Sage-ing materials on the Guild website.

    From Age-ing to Sage-ing is also available from our website, as are audio and video tapes.


    E-Letters


    If you are a member of the Sage-ing Guild, please feel free to contribute to this occasional e-letter. .

    Anyone may subscribe to The Sage-ing Guild Communicator by .



      
    Without remaining open to change, we can not remain open to life: this is the sometimes frightening truth which we must confront as we get older. The desire to control change is our greatest obstacle to wisdom.
    —Ram Dass

    		   


   
Welcome! To the Sage-ing Guild's e-letter. Our vision is To change the paradigm from aging to Sage-ing. You are receiving this because you are either a member of the Sage-ing Guild or a Sage-ing Leader. If you do not wish to continue receiving this newsletter, planned for three or four times a year, click to unsubscribe. The Sage-ing Guild Communicator is open to anyone who is interested in conscious aging. One may sign up by sending an email to .

Mission Statement: To change the paradigm of aging by building a community of leaders to transmit the wisdom of Sage-ing.

OUR TEACHERS ARE THE THREADS WHICH WEAVE THE SAGE-ING GUILD TOGETHER!


Sage-ing Guild News


Upcoming weekend Intensives:

Regions:
  • The Sage-ing Guild has reactivated Regions Coordinators and each of the six regions now have Coordinators under the guidance of Paul Severance. News of Regions activities will be sent to all Sage-ing Leaders whether or not they are members.
  • Central Region: watch for updates on a May 23 gathering in Chicago.


Website:
Our SG website has caused confusion for more than one person. So, sometime in 2009, we will try to clarify, shorten and improve. Please be patient. And if you have any easy suggestions.

Members Only:
Do keep the email with your new Professional Sage-ing Leader protected site password when you get it.

Ideas
Who am I? A socialized meditation. For those of you who have used this, here is a different twist from CSL Intern, Jeanne Marsh. Set participants up in dyads facing one another. Person A asks Person B, "Who are you?" Person B responds for 1 minute and Person A responds with "Thank you," only. Then it is Person B's turn to ask. Repeat two more times. Following the exchange, the members of the dyad have one minute to give each other feedback on how the exchange felt with no advise. Then, harvest.

Circles
Begin your own Elder Council or Sage-ing Circle using the Sage-ing Workbook as your guide. Buy one from our Merchandise site.

Wisdom Circle Books
  • "Robert Atchley, with his [new book], Spirituality and Aging (John Hopkins Press, 2009), provides a much needed and inspiring service to people in their sage-ing years. The book is very well written. Information is made available from many wide sources." —R. Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

  • Something to Live For: Finding Your Way in the Second Half of Life by Richard J. Leider & David A. Shapiro (Berrett-Koehler, 2008).

    Leider and Shapiro focus on focus. Each of their books written together helps the reader focus on clarifying some aspect of her life. What is your purpose in living a good life, in working in a situation best suited for you and in responding to the philosophical questions of life? In Something to Live For, they gently move you towards a life of fulfillment. Richard Leider is a member of the Sage-ing Guild's Wisdom Circle. read more

  • Discounts are available when purchasing multiple copies of From Age-ing to Sage-ing® from Hachette Books. The contact person is Elizabeth Brouillette (800-222-6747 x2). Do you need just one? Order it from the Sage-ing Guild. See Merchandise below.


Of Interest


Who Understands Research?
Who can understand what researchers write? It's not always easy to get past the jargon of specialists. But help is on the way. Summaries of aging research published in peer-reviewed academic journals are now available for non-specialists at the ART (Aging Research Translator) website. The site has been created with community-based practitioners in mind. The ART website was developed by Cornell University researchers and helps make available the latest findings from the academic world. Visit them here.

Choosing Conscious Elderhood, May 8-14, 2009
Choosing Conscious Elderhood will be held at a retreat center in a juniper forest high on a mesa in Western Colorado. It is offered by long-time vision quest guides Ron Pevny (who presented the workshop "Into the Wild" at the Sage-ing Guild Conference) and Nancy Jane. For details, contact Ron via or phone (970-247-7943) or go here.


Questions & Answers


Q: How can I use the "Box of unlived life" more effectively?

A: Rosalie: The box for me represents being stuck. Stuck from the past and stuck for the future. It is a wonderful image because literally, "it boxes a person." This really creates a lack of energy and moves into three dangerous aspects of Aging: boredom, loneliness and isolation.

The first step, it seems to me, is to recognize that we all get in the box sometimes. We are more concerned that the "box of unlived life" represents a major stop gap in the journey of life.

So we move into the past with life review, life repair, and letting go with gives us the power to face (rather than back into) the future with a measure of joy. This doesn't happen this fast, of course, but it is a great start.

Do you have a Sage-ing Story? A Sage-ing question? Send it to .


Links

  • From the Positive Aging Newsletter:
    • Health and Age
    • A new Medicare website with information on navigating Medicare, health care services, and has links to partner organizations that assist caregivers and personal caregiver anecdotes. This is a one-stop resource for caregivers.

  • From Sheila Catterall, new Intern:
    • Courthouse Girls: Elder women power. Remember the Calendar Gals?
    • Dr. Bill Thomas:
      • Who is Bill Thomas?
      • YouTube video
    • Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi:
      • YouTube video
      • Technology, Entertainment, Design: Ideas worth Spreading


    More Links:
    • New Prime Time: aimed at boomers and includes webinars by Richard Leider, one of our Wisdom Circle members. It contains lotsa ways to grow and become informed.

    • iCohere: creating Collaborative Communities and Bringing your world together for learning and innovation. It contains lotsa ways to grow and become informed.