Aging as a Spiritual Journey

Bianchi's wide-ranging book draws together insights from the social sciences, the humanities, and religion to establish a holistic framework for a spirituality of aging. He argues that middle life and late adulthood present opportunities for turning inward for a deeper contemplative life within the context of active, worldly endeavors. This can also augur a reform of social relationships--beyond individual development alone--toward the creation of a more cooperative, just society. In this way, physical decline is countered by a spiritual ascent. He summons aging persons, fortified with universal values and concerns gained from age and experience, to return to the centers of decision making. Throughout, the author ponders such questions as personal power, identity, fear, freedom, contemplation, sexuality, the church, faith, suffering, and hope. In candid interviews, older religious leaders reflect on their early value formation, personal traumas, choice of careers, midlife transitions, experiences of old age, and the prospect of death. In dwelling mainly on human spiritual dilemmas of the aging cycle, Bianchi offers a strong, clear message of hope--one that stands against the tide of our culture which tends to shunt older people to the outer eddies of life's stream. Aging as a Spiritual Journey is immensely valuable to all laypersons and those in the helping professions who are concerned about the quality of the aging process. ""Eugene Bianchi has long been an advance scout in the unexplored region of spiritual growth in later life. He's now opened up new territory, and we can all be grateful for his guidance."" -- Harry R. Moody, Director of Academic Affairs, AARP ""How to grow old with grace, faith, and dignity . . . significant (and) useful."" -- Commonweal ""Not a book to be read in one sitting. Rather, it is one to be kept on the bedside table and savored over a period of time. It may help those who are young to understand their parents. And for those in midlife or older, it may inspire the courage to live the unique life they know is still possible."" --Yoga Journal ""Engaging . . . timely . . . remarkable for its sensitivity to the human condition."" -- New Catholic World ""Recommended to anyone who is willing to think more deeply into the possibility of aging more gracefully and creatively, and to anyone interested in a qualitative, rather than quantitative, understanding of a life-span."" --The Presbyterian Outlook ""Demonstrates that the aging process can be a time of joyful creativity."" -- The Christian Ministry ""The most significant contribution . . . and of the highest value to anyone concerned with that problem of aging which engulfs all of humankind."" --America Eugene C. Bianchi is a Professor of Religion Emeritus at Emory University. In addition to his many books and articles, he has written two novels. He has also served in leadership roles in educational and religious organizations.