In Praise of Ageing

Subtitled 'awakening to old age with wisdom and compassion', these reflections are divided into four sections – reality, vulnerability, identity and meaning – with individual chapters on feelings such as illness, retirement, worry, regrets, friendship, elderhood, courage, freedom and joy. This is a journey we all take, so our approach and attitude are critical to making the most of the challenges of life in changing circumstances. Books like this all the more important in giving value to the ageing process in a youth culture that has little respect for life experience and wisdom. We are responsible for our life narrative, which we are also free to change. At any point, we can bring awareness into the present moment rather than preoccupy ourselves with past and future concerns; we can also learn the value of acceptance while remaining proactive and engaged in life – 'becoming in interrelationship.' Our friendships are tremendously important and require their own cultivation, especially in the light of our limited time on earth. The author advises that 'we need to trust to ourselves and our ability to meet what life offers with kindness, compassion, calm and joy' – which is a matter of ongoing practice in response to our common human condition. Forgiveness and inner freedom are closely related, and we always have the opportunity to treat life as a whole as a form of spiritual practice that also happens to be the best preparation for death.