The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul by Connie Zweig


The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul
Title : The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1644113406
ISBN-10 : 978-1644113400
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 416 pages
Publication : September 7, 2021

A guide to working through the inner obstacles of late life and embracing the spiritual gifts of aging Offers shadow work and many diverse spiritual practices to help you break through denial to awareness, move from self rejection to self acceptance, repair the past to be fully present, and allow mortality to be a teacher Reveals how to use inner work to uncover and explore the unconscious denial and resistance that erupts around key thresholds of later life Includes personal interviews with prominent Elders, including Ken Wilber, Krishna Das, Fr. Thomas Keating, Anna Douglas, James Hollis, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Ashton Applewhite, Roshi Wendy Nakao, Roger Walsh, and Stanislav Grof With extended longevity comes the opportunity for extended personal growth and spiritual development. You now have the chance to become an Elder, to leave behind past roles, shift from work in the outer world to inner work with the soul, and become authentically who you are. This book is a guide to help get past the inner obstacles and embrace the hidden spiritual gifts of age. Offering a radical reimagining of age for all generations, psychotherapist and bestselling author Connie Zweig reveals how to use inner work to uncover and explore the unconscious denial and resistance that erupts around key thresholds of later life, attune to your souls longing, and emerge renewed as an Elder filled with vitality and purpose. She explores the obstacles encountered in the transition to wise Elder and offers psychological shadow work and diverse spiritual practices to help you break through denial to awareness, move from self rejection to self acceptance, repair the past to be fully present, reclaim your creativity, and allow mortality to be a teacher. Sharing contemplative practices for selfreflection, she also reveals how to discover ways to share your talents and wisdom to become a force for change in the lives of others. Woven throughout with wisdom from prominent Elders, including Ken Wilber, Krishna Das, Father Thomas Keating, Anna Douglas, James Hollis, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Ashton Applewhite, Roshi Wendy Egyoku Nakao, Roger Walsh, and Stanislav Grof, this book offers tools and guidance to help you let go of past roles, expand your identity, deepen self knowledge, and move through these life passages to a new stage of awareness, choosing to be fully real, transparent, and free to embrace a fulfilling late life.

The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul Reviews

  • Eric Dunn

    Please do yourself (and those you love) a favor and read this book. It is so well written, easy to read, and filled with practical down to earth help especially for those transitioning from a life of roles to a life that is a celebration of the SOUL. I am 73 years old and this book has so much to help those who are in this process. It is the best book I have ever read!!!

  • Steve Wolf

    Dr Connie's new book extends her profound work on the Shadow into our later years and explores unconscious inner obstacles, such as 'the inner ageist,' that block us from finding the gifts of this stage of life. But than that as a long time meditation practitioner, she offers practices that turn our attention from worn out roles and fleeting identities to our authentic spiritual nature. From 'role to soul.'
    This is a deep, slow read, to be cherished and enjoyed. It's the guidance we have been waiting for.

  • Michael F. Kay

    Thank you, Connie Zweig for writing a book that addresses a most important life stage and how to approach it with grace and meaning. This can be thought of as the ultimate 'brain candy' to help lean into the aspect of our lives and provide a pathway to thinking and living expansively, purposefully and with greater heart and appreciation. The idea of become or moving into the status of 'elder' is one that heralds in a time of peace, acceptance and love. I could not recommend this book highly.

  • Marie Palmer

    Aging is a transition I have struggled with. After reading this book, I no longer resist my body’s aging. Balancing your aging mind, spirit, and body brings peace and acceptance. I now embrace my older self. This book explains the process in a very meaningful way.

  • Paula

    Having read at least fifty books on aging or age related topics and hundreds of articles and studies on age related topics I am relatively familiar with some of the popular themes about aging. That said, The Inner Work of Age offers insights that resonated with me at a much deeper level than I had anticipated. One of my favorite chapters was'Retirement as a Divine Messenger.' I appreciated not only how Dr. Zweig described the challenges of retirement, but also discussed retirement as a spiritual practice. I loved the idea of a retirement ritual. I also appreciated how Zweig shared her own experience when she chose to leave her therapy practice.

    This is a slow read it takes time to reflect and apply the rich insight and knowledge that the author shares. I was challenged to think about some of my own attitudes and beliefs that are now limiting my growth as a nearly 70 year old woman. I was also challenged to think about how shifting from 'role to soul' is very much a spiritual practice becoming an elder is a spiritual practice.

    For those interested in rediscovering their authentic path and living a meaningful and renewed sense of being in later life, I'd highly recommend this book.

  • Joe Gibson

    Haven't completed book yet though amazing insight on fine art of growing/developing as we age

  • Carol Orsborn, Ph.D.

    Dr. Connie Zweig's comprehensive work is accurately titled 'The Inner Work of Age' for anybody seeking guidance on not only doing the inner work of aging, but the inner work of spirituality. Her impressive array of in depth interviews with thought leaders is a veritable who's who of the conscious aging movement and an ambitious introduction for newcomers, and seasoned readers, alike. This is a welcome addition to the growing library of books in the conscious aging genre.

  • Joe Weisberg

    I’m 55 years old. “The Inner Work of Age” has profoundly changed the way I feel about the next stage(s) of my life. I now see how our culture's negative attitudes about growing older have worked their way inside of me, and led me to fear and reject aging. Zweig shows how, in truth, getting older is a wonderful opportunity, a chance to move into a new relationship with life after the hard work and striving of midlife. Later life is a time for soul. There are some other cultures which or less get this, but ours, not so much.

    I just feel all around better after reading this book. I would highly recommend it, even to younger people. Why spend your whole life anxious and unhappy about getting older? Start looking forward to it!

  • Naomi S.

    Wonderful book, so very glad I read it. Hard to Integrate theory and philosophy in an intelligent, thought provoking, inspiring read. And above all, in an honest, open, and easy want to read , way. Left me with helpful tools, thoughts and ideas to ponder.