Pilgrims in a Strange Land: Aging, Illness and Personhood The spiritual journey in later life: A unique model of spiritual tasks and process of ageing

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Pilgrims in a Strange Land Aging, Illness and
Personhood The spiritual journey in later life
A unique model of spiritual tasks and process of
ageing

• Rev Prof Elizabeth MacKinlay AM PhD, RN
• Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies
• School of Theology, Charles Sturt University
• www.centreforageing.org.au

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Ways of looking at ageing How old is old?

• Chronological ageing?
• The third age of life?
• The fourth age of life?

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Attitudes to ageing

• How do I see myself in later life?
• Do I look forward to being older
• What does retirement mean? Is this a word that
  has passed its usefulness?
• What value do I put on being an older person?

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How we look at ageing Does it make a difference?

• Later life
• Age of decline (focus on ageing body)?
• Successful ageing?
• Spiritual journey?
• To what extent can we choose our ageing journey?

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Ageing and decline?

• What do we expect of our ageing?
• Physical decrements, more aches and pains,
  decreased energy?
• Living with more chronic illnesses?
• Losses of loved ones
• Moving to assisted living or a nursing home?
• Fear of becoming dependent?

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Ageing and growth?

• Does that seem to be possible?
• Psychosocial development Erikson-integrity
  versus despair.
• Spiritual development finding meaning in later
  life, transcending losses and disabilities.
  Growing closer to God
• Ageing is the time when it all (potentially)
  comes together.
• How do we find meaning and wholeness in the face
  of increasing losses and frailty-and even
  dementia?

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Spirituality A Definition
That which lies at the core of each person's
being, an essential dimension which brings
meaning to life. Constituted not only by
religious practices, but understood more broadly,
as relationship with God, however God or ultimate
meaning is perceived by the person, and in
relationship with other people. (MacKinlay,
2001)
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Spirituality and Religion
S P I R I TU A L I T Y- Ultimate Meaning Mediated
through
Creation / Environment Nature, sea, mountains,
gardens, work, human imagination
Relationship Intimacy with others and/or God
Religion Worship Prayer Reading of
Scripture Meditation
The arts Music, art, poetry, drama, dance
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Spirituality in Ageing Themes
Wisdom / provisional to final meanings
self sufficiency/ vulnerability
Response to Ultimate Meaning
Ultimate Meaning in Life
relationship/ isolation
hope/fear
MacKinlay 1998
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Spiritual Tasks Process of Ageing A
continuing process
To find final meanings
Transcend loss/ disabilities
Response to Ultimate Meaning
Ultimate Meaning in Life
Find intimacy with God and/or others
To find hope
MacKinlay 1998
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Spiritual Tasks of Ageing for ChristiansA
Continuing Process
Dying to self (self-transcendence)
Gods storymy story (Growing in wisdom final
meanings)
Response to Ultimate Meaning Spiritual strategies
Ultimate Meaning in Life Life Centred in God
Spiritual strategies including worship, prayer,
study, meditation
Growing into Christ (Intimacy with God)
Hope now future
(MacKinlay 2006)
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Growing Old in Christ

• Struggles and joys,
• Flourishing and fruitful
• Intimacy with God and or others
• Being and becoming