Aging with Purpose and Joy: A Buddhist Approach to Growing Older

Instructor(s): David Chernikoff

Program Description:

Buddhist teachings offer valuable and life-changing guidelines for those of us who aspire to age wisely, love well, and die peacefully. In this program, we’ll explore perspectives and practices that empower us to embrace the vicissitudes of growing older with compassion, curiosity, humor, and gratitude. Our time together will include dharma talks, meditation practice, experiential exercises, and small group discussions. This is an invitation to move beyond the life-denying attitude toward aging that is common in our culture and to celebrate the richness and depth of authentic spiritual maturity.

Noble Silence:

Noble silence will be observed following each evening session through breakfast the following morning. Additional silent practice periods will be scheduled throughout the program.

Experience Level:

Suitable for beginning and experienced practitioners.

About the Instructor(s):
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  David Chernikoff

  David Chernikoff is a meditation teacher, spiritual counselor, and life coach who taught psychology and meditation at Naropa University for many years. A student of meditation since 1971, David completed the inaugural Community Dharma Leader Training at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and began teaching Insight Meditation in 1988. His teaching has been influenced by senior teachers from the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock, Zen teacher Yvonne Rand, and spiritual guides from other contemplative traditions, most notably Ram Dass, Father Thomas Keating, and Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. In the early 1980s, he worked at Ram Dass’s Hanuman Foundation Dying Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico and then became the director of Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces, N.M. He later spent three years in Nepal doing public health development work for the Seva Foundation and studying with Tibetan Buddhist teachers. After returning to the U.S., he became the education and training director for the Spiritual Eldering Institute, now called Sage-ing International. In that role, he taught conscious aging programs throughout the U.S., in Canada, and in Ireland. David is currently one of the guiding teachers of the Insight Meditation Community of Colorado and teaches retreats and workshops throughout the U.S. He is the author of Life, Part Two: Seven Keys to Awakening with Purpose and Joy as You Age. (www.davidchernikoff.com)