Passage of Enlightenment in the Second Part of Life

In philosophy, it is often discussed that the "second part of our lives" starts around age 50 and for some people it may be a bit earlier or later. During this later phase of our lives, it is important to examine our experiences in order to integrate them and align our priorities to serve what has meaning for us.

It is in this stage of life that personal reflection allows us to begin our journey to examine different gateways to mend our life before our final departure of immortality. Our task at the first gateway called the Renewal Gate is to move beyond the familiar and develop curiousity, trust and flexibility. As we age, many of us would rather stay in our comfort zones than grow to explore new experiences.

Here are some important questions to reflect upon at the Renewal Gate:

What generates meaning, curiousity and inspiration for you?
Where do you experience symptoms of soul loss: apathy, emptiness, discontent, anxiety?
What private longings have you repeatedly dismissed? What has kept you from acting on them?
How do you renew and replenish yourself?
What has been revealed about you through your dreams, work, health,& relationships?

Choose an area of your life that you would like to make a decision about and allow yourself to see a course of action that would create a positive change for yourself and others.

In my next article, I will discuss the Identity Gate which uncovers your true face. As we examine each gate and challenge ourselves, we develop further wisdom, character and meaning in our lives.

Reference:

Arrien,Angeles, The Second Half of Life, 2009.

Embrace Life's Uncertainty

People often have fear related to what is unknown in their future. Due to anxiety caused by fears, people often try to control situations and other people. Letting go of expectations can be difficult, however, it is when we do so that we are really in control. When you are able to let go, your ability to embrace uncertainty will increase dramatically and your unhappiness will decrease dramatically.

We can look for the gifts in all that happens to us in life and it will minimize our suffering. We can find a way to be in the world that allows us to see uncertainty not as something to fear, but as an enriching aspect of life.