Those of us who are “oldering” know the process is not for sissies. Now recent advances in neuroscience, neurobiology, cultural studies, philosophy and (yes!) Quantum Theory show that the role that we “old folks” play in daily living is literally critical to the survival of the species not just in the West, and not just in humans, but across cultures and species. In this way, contemporary science is just catching up with the central claims of Native Science and Daoism. No more Old Farts/Folks. Bring on the Wise Guides.

Our neurological processes undergo dramatic change over tme, including via what’s termed myelination of the brain, to become ever more networked, able to “put it all together.” There really is a neurobiology of wisdom. Maybe you have noticed having keener insight or an exponentially improved ability to reflect widely and deeply and to figure out what “matters” and what doesn’t? Biologically, our physical changes force us us sit down and use these new neural connections; and as it turns out, these neural connections are just what we need to engage fully in the -inter and intra-connected universe which science is steadily revealing to us and which Wisdom Traditions have always known. We are becoming differently abled than when we were young; we are Wizening Up.

Join us as we delve into the extraordinary consilience across contemporary and ancient perspectives: that to find meaning in living as an individual human requires stepping proactively into the “Oldering”dance of being both a (not quite yet) composing physical body and an expanding awareness; and in so doing, taking our essential place on the evolutionary dance floor of the Whole, where we are all and each co-developing and co-evolving the Whole together, and more importantly, are creating the conditions for future living. What will we choose? To remain stuck in fear, or to engage with intention, bringing our differently-abled wiser self to this dance, becoming the fully human being evolution intended us to be?

Robin Saltonstall, PhD blends neuroscience, Nature-based experience, depth psychology, and therapeutic movement to address the unique challenges of those traversing the second half of their lives. In addition to 40plus Integrative Health practice, Robin is a professor of ecopsychological ethics, climate crisis, and ecotoxicology for Viridis Graduate Institute (www.viridis.edu) and is an adjunct faculty member at Schumacher College, England., where she teaches on Living Gaia’s Alchemy. Robin gardens, mothers, hikes, and writes about being “M.O.T.Y.” or “More Older Than Young” in our youth-worshipping western culture. Her lifework is to reconnect humans to their deep belonging as one of many alive beings interconnecting and thriving on a living Earth.

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