It had been months since we’d last spoken, but as soon as we heard each other’s voices, we instantly picked up where we’d left off long ago. I was speaking with my friend and colleague, Dr. Joan Borysenko, and it felt like coming home.

In the course of our conversation about what we’d been up to in the last year, Joan shared that she had a “spiritual mentoring” practice helping clients to keep a spotlight on the spiritual dimension of their lives. She explained:

“Some clients are passing through the liminal space of grief and loss, or dealing with illness, and they need a safe and loving hand to hold as they move to a new stage in life. Others are curious about revisiting their spiritual roots to explore deeper ways to connect with the God of their understanding. And some brave souls are ready to explore the mystery of death and dying as a portal to higher consciousness.”

As I listened to Joan talk about this work, I grew excited. She is one of the smartest women I know – a psychologist and scientist, well-versed in Eastern, Western, and indigenous traditions. And she’s a wise elder who knows how to love people with all her heart. I’ve been a seeker all my life, exploring the deeper dimensions of spirituality, death and dying, psychology, and consciousness, and I know a sacred invitation when I hear one, so as soon as Joan finished telling me about her practice, I hired her on the spot.

Last week, at the end of our first session, I signed off of Zoom feeling deeply grateful and blessed for having found a wise elder to walk the next stage of my spiritual journey with me. I also knew I wanted to share Joan with you. That’s because the wisdom years are often a time when we feel called to connect with a deeper part of ourselves, a more authentic voice, and creative expression to get lost in, as well as the experience of connecting more consistently with a power greater than ourselves. These desires deserve company and support as we grapple with questions like:

Who am I really? What am I meant to do with the remaining years of my life? How do I tenderly embrace the reality of death and dying? What or who will hold me through the inevitable grief of losing the people and pets I love? How can I be more curious and less afraid? And where is God in all of this?

I hope you’ll join us for a conversation about keeping a spotlight on the spiritual dimension of life in our wisdom years. We’ll gather this Wednesday, 8/27, at 3pm ET/12pm PT. If you registered for prior Zoom gatherings, you’ll automatically receive a link. If not, you can do so here.

Love,

Cheryl