Generations
We have a very serious problem with the understanding of aging in the U.S., and perhaps in the Developed World generally. As cultures and societies are driven more and more by popular media, which is based in a Hollywood model of perpetual cosmetic youth, the perception of aging is becoming very conflicted in people of all ages.
Whether we accept aging as reality or not, it happens according to basic chemical and physical processes, which are increasingly understood and predictable. We have the choice as individuals to study and accept the findings of science or to avoid and deny the findings of science. If we learn and accept the science, we can live accordingly and adjust our daily practices to accommodate aging in a proactive way. This, in my view, does not entail saving money for plastic surgery and pretending to be twenty-five forever.
The establishment at any age of a daily practice, based in exercise, proper diet and mindfulness, aided by meditation and reflection, is one way of living with aging proactively. By accepting that you will age and die, perhaps accidentally or abruptly, you open your mind to the profound opportunity present in each moment of each day. This acceptance and understanding of your own mortality places you squarely in harmony with the world around you, if you pay attention. There is aging and death all around you if you open your eyes and pay attention to it.
The avoidance of accepting mortality fuels alienation between generations. Well-meaning young people minimize the effects of age when their elders try to point out their real limitations. To the elder person, this translates as, "If you can't pretend to be youthful and vital, I don't want you around." In turn, alienated old people wave off attempts by the young to engage them in activities within their capabilities. They often retreat into an isolated world which seems predictable, safe. However, there is no safety or joy in that isolation.
Religious congregations used to bring people of all ages together. However, the unwillingness of religions to sacrifice dogma for social relevance has deprived many free-thinking people from a place where they can experience people of all ages. This is an unfortunate trend. Free-thinking people, the more progressive members of society, are more likely to become age-limited in their social or organizational groups. I think this is reflected in some segments of current Humanist Movement in the U.S..
This has devastating consequences for the young, the old and those in between. I am especially aware of this because of my own experience of aging within my GLBT minority. The exchange of exuberant energy of the young with the experience of the old fueled the early Gay Liberation Movement. People like Harvey Milk built on the work of people like Harry Hay to make Gay Liberation happen. Now, with the devastation of a whole generation of activist gay men by AIDS, the GLBT movement is continuing to actualize the goals set fifty years ago. This would have occurred sooner, I am sure, without the loss of a generation of out gay men to AIDS.
The work of creating inter-generational community must be shared equally by all ages within the community. Perhaps the onus falls more heavily on the elders of any community to adapt and surrender parental entitlement to veneration based in their seniority or financial prowess. In other word, it is perhaps harder for elders in a community to break out of their entrenched habits to reach out to the young or to surrender control to the young. Always being the sage is a very lonely path, one ill-suited to a member of a community or fellowship. Likewise, an organization composed exclusively of the young tends to be high on ideals and very low in efficiency or effectiveness. It also lacks the necessary financial support for its work.
Part of my humanist practice, which grew out of my experience as a nurse and participant in Gay Liberation, has been to remain open to people of all ages to learn from their wisdom, intelligence and energy. In a society driven more and more by superficial materialism and sexuality, this becomes more of a challenge. I have been fortunate to find an inter-generational community in my work with the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University. And, it is now part of my daily practice to contribute to the health of that community.
Whether we accept aging as reality or not, it happens according to basic chemical and physical processes, which are increasingly understood and predictable. We have the choice as individuals to study and accept the findings of science or to avoid and deny the findings of science. If we learn and accept the science, we can live accordingly and adjust our daily practices to accommodate aging in a proactive way. This, in my view, does not entail saving money for plastic surgery and pretending to be twenty-five forever.The establishment at any age of a daily practice, based in exercise, proper diet and mindfulness, aided by meditation and reflection, is one way of living with aging proactively. By accepting that you will age and die, perhaps accidentally or abruptly, you open your mind to the profound opportunity present in each moment of each day. This acceptance and understanding of your own mortality places you squarely in harmony with the world around you, if you pay attention. There is aging and death all around you if you open your eyes and pay attention to it.
The avoidance of accepting mortality fuels alienation between generations. Well-meaning young people minimize the effects of age when their elders try to point out their real limitations. To the elder person, this translates as, "If you can't pretend to be youthful and vital, I don't want you around." In turn, alienated old people wave off attempts by the young to engage them in activities within their capabilities. They often retreat into an isolated world which seems predictable, safe. However, there is no safety or joy in that isolation.
Religious congregations used to bring people of all ages together. However, the unwillingness of religions to sacrifice dogma for social relevance has deprived many free-thinking people from a place where they can experience people of all ages. This is an unfortunate trend. Free-thinking people, the more progressive members of society, are more likely to become age-limited in their social or organizational groups. I think this is reflected in some segments of current Humanist Movement in the U.S..
This has devastating consequences for the young, the old and those in between. I am especially aware of this because of my own experience of aging within my GLBT minority. The exchange of exuberant energy of the young with the experience of the old fueled the early Gay Liberation Movement. People like Harvey Milk built on the work of people like Harry Hay to make Gay Liberation happen. Now, with the devastation of a whole generation of activist gay men by AIDS, the GLBT movement is continuing to actualize the goals set fifty years ago. This would have occurred sooner, I am sure, without the loss of a generation of out gay men to AIDS.
The work of creating inter-generational community must be shared equally by all ages within the community. Perhaps the onus falls more heavily on the elders of any community to adapt and surrender parental entitlement to veneration based in their seniority or financial prowess. In other word, it is perhaps harder for elders in a community to break out of their entrenched habits to reach out to the young or to surrender control to the young. Always being the sage is a very lonely path, one ill-suited to a member of a community or fellowship. Likewise, an organization composed exclusively of the young tends to be high on ideals and very low in efficiency or effectiveness. It also lacks the necessary financial support for its work.
Part of my humanist practice, which grew out of my experience as a nurse and participant in Gay Liberation, has been to remain open to people of all ages to learn from their wisdom, intelligence and energy. In a society driven more and more by superficial materialism and sexuality, this becomes more of a challenge. I have been fortunate to find an inter-generational community in my work with the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University. And, it is now part of my daily practice to contribute to the health of that community.
Comments
Post a Comment