The Soul of Aging - A Three Retreat Series

Welcome to a series of three retreats designed to create a community of 16 women who long to understand, surrender to, face the challenges of, and be transformed by the aging process. This program will address many of the spiritual aspects of this season of our lives, including questions of forgiveness, where we are in our spiritual development, what aspects of ourselves are still yearning for expression, our relationship with time, how to love and serve others, and the notion of befriending our own deaths. Clearly these themes invite a level of honesty and self-disclosure along the way, along with deep listening to others. If you wish for the community of other women who are managing these life hurdles, please consider joining us in this exploration together. Attendance at all retreats is expected. The program will use the Circle of Trust® approach developed by Parker J. Palmer and the Center for Courage and Renewal.

Retreat 1: The Inner Life of Aging

Aging is a time of change and loss, and a rich time when our inner life calls. We will explore our beliefs about aging and the questions and concerns we bring to this time in our lives. We will reflect on our past lived and unlived lives, with an invitation to celebrate, repair, release and make peace with the past. We will celebrate who we are now, as elders.   

Retreat 2: The Wisdom of Living in Deep Time 

As we age, our awareness of and use of time changes. We will consider how our use of time reflects our current needs and values and what in our life might be calling for more spacious and deeper, soulful time. We will be invited to face into parts of ourselves that we barely see or keep hidden, to befriend and draw wisdom from the whole of who we are. We will explore the freedom that comes from letting go of perfection and living into our purpose as elders, whatever that purpose is.   

Retreat 3: Life Completion: The Final Stage of Growth 

In the embrace of the community we have created during our retreats, we will lean into our “spiritual homework” of preparing for our own deaths. We will explore views and experiences of death, including what a “good death” looks like and death as a mysterious, sacred ritual. We will look at the gifts, experiences, abilities, and wisdom gained over our lifetime and listen for how our deepest values and passions expressed themselves. We will consider what we desire to leave behind for others from our lives.    

Cost of the Retreat:

♦ Guest House Lodging – $450/retreat ♦

Retreat Series Total = $1,350.00

♦ Sisters House Lodging – $550/retreat ♦

Retreat Series Total = $1,650.00

*The option to pay in full or to make payments will be available.

*Retreat Mercy will be available to two qualifying retreatants. More information about this will be noted during registration.

The cost of the retreat includes:

• Three In-Person Retreats, three nights’ each retreat. Accommodations for Guest House lodging include a private room and private bath. Private in-room coffee service, with access to a shared kitchen. Accommodations for Sisters House lodging include a private room, private bath, and private screened in porch. Private in-room coffee service, with access to a shared kitchen. 
• All meals are provided for you along with snacks, tea, and coffee. You are welcome to bring beverages or supplemental food items. 

The registration process:

1. Please complete and submit the Invitation to Discernment questionnaire. These five questions are intended to support your consideration of the fit between this program and your interests and needs at this point in your life.    
2. After Jane and Gayle have read your responses and communicated with you, you will be sent a link to register and pay for this program. Completion of Step 1 is required before registering.