“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
– Jiddu Krishnamurti ~
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The course I’m taking right now with OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) with the University of Virginia has really given me the support I was looking for to apply the lessons I’ve learned over the years of my life. Transcendence, Well Being and Positive Aging helps you to maintain a ‘transcendent mindset’. This is something that becomes easier and clearer as we get older if we’re open to being in the moment and being mindful. We’ve learned more about ourselves and are more willing to choose the behaviors that lead to our well being instead of being pushed and pulled by others and society’s expectations. I’m finding it a refreshing validation of how to set my own healthy boundaries during these years of letting go and simplifying my life in order to meet the inevitable changes that come with aging.
“Buddhism asserts each of us are born with Buddhanature (something akin to the western concept of a soul, but more precisely a luminous expanse of awareness), an intrinsic state of wholeness that can be discovered and cultivated through meditation.”
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Emergent Mind: Each moment we are constructing our mind, feeding it perceptions, sensations and thoughts which coalesce into beliefs and reality pictures which in turn foster positive or negative feelings.
Yes, perception is everything. I have recently discovered that the “stories” I have been telling others and myself, were merely my mind’s interpretations of events and not necessarily the truth.
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Good point! Sometimes re-frame an experience gives us new perspective! 🙂
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Thank you for this post Mary Lou. I’ve been focusing on mindfulness a lot lately, and I’ve recently started attending a Buddhist sangha and love the energy of the service and the people there. I have not studied Buddhism, but I know I immediately feel at peace when I share space with this group.
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I’m not sure if there is a Buddhist sangha in my area Christie. Sounds like something I’d like to attend. I was raised catholic and I’m not looking for another religion. Buddhism doesn’t focus on religion as much as a way of life. I know mindfulness and meditation came from that practice. 🙂
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I have also left the religion of my youth, and find sangha feels the spirituality gap for me. No pressure to become Buddhist. The focus is mindfulness, meditation, and compassion. Everyone is welcome. The motto of the group is Namu Amida Butsu. Come as you are. I’ve found that to be true.
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I’m all for positive ageing and I think there is a wonderful tribe of women over 50 on the internet all trying to put out positive ideas and feelings. I loved your infographic and absolutely related to it. It’s so true as you say that .. “Each moment we are constructing our mind, feeding it perceptions, sensations and thoughts which coalesce into beliefs and reality pictures which in turn foster positive or negative feelings.” Thanks for an interesting post 🙂 #MLSTL and shared on SM
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Thank you for sharing Johanna! I am very grateful for the supportive group of bloggers that have linked up to help each other along the way! 🙂
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I really enjoyed reading this and loved the graphic about successful and unsuccessful people. What an interesting time you’ve had in your course and I agree with others, the word transcendent is a great way to be! #mlstl
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The course is very interesting Debbie! We all have some great discussions. It’s amazing how our mindset can affect our overall well being.
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The habits of successful vs unsuccessful graphic is powerful. I pinned it to one of my Boards so I never forget 🙂
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I loved it too Rebecca! Such a switch from what we’re told is being a success. 🙂
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MaryLou, I’m starting my search for next years word of the year and you’ve given me Transcend as a possible one. I like the idea of the transcendent mindset. I too am working on combining positive aging, healthy habits, and mindfulness into every day living. Visiting from #MLSLT!
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That’s great Pat! My mother used to call it ‘Rise above’ and she was a big fan of positive thinking. Ill be looking forward to reading ‘word of the year’ post.
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I love the idea of “Transcendence, Well Being and Positive Aging” Mary Lou – all things we’re trying to achieve and any help we get along the way is a bonus. I’m so glad you’ve found so much inspiration and can share snippets of it with us as you go along.
Transcendence, Well Being and Positive Aging
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You’re right about ‘snippits’. This class covers so much that it’s hard to absorb it all. I picked up a book ‘Wherever You Go There You Are’ by Jon Kabat-Zin (Mindfullness meditation in everyday life).
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I’ve always been an advocate for positive aging Mary Lou and your course does sound interesting. I am slowly coming to terms and accepting mindfulness as an important part of life as is showing kindness to others. Thank you for linking up and sharing with us at #MLSTL and have a beautiful week. x
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I’m a slow learner when it comes to mindfulness and meditation and kindness. I just keep trying because it does keep you centered on what’s best for you. Have a beautiful week too Sue!
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I love this post! Especially the photo with the contrasts between successful and unsuccessful people. Shared on my Facebook page, Embracing Life.
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Thanks for the share Trisha!! Yes I agree! The comparisons sure do change the definition of successful and unsuccessful people. I loved it! 🙂
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Lovely! Embracing positive aging may take some work and some focus… but it is a lovely way to explore these years of wisdom (hopefully!) and freedom. I truly believe Mindfulness is one of the most important features of daily life.
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A lot of the expectations of the ‘good life’ that society advertises can work against us finding that wisdom and freedom. Mindfulness helps us to be aware of what’s best for our own well being. Thanks Agnes!
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