57. Spirituality for skeptics: the inner life of older adults

Learning How To Be Old

57. Spirituality for skeptics: the inner life of older adults

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Are you a bit skeptical about spirituality? Do you wonder whether you even have a spiritual life? And whether this might help you in old age? Michael Fitzsimons, a wise and open-minded poet, cancer survivor and former trainee-priest, explores spirituality for skeptics, beginners and believers alike.

We explore some interesting ideas including these:

• maybe everyone prays, whether we know it or not
• another phrase for spirituality is your inner life
• you are constantly urged to work on your individual body and career, but a strong inner life can vastly expands your view
• belonging to a religion doesn’t suit everyone, but it can provide a framework to support you in old age
• many older people naturally become more mellow and accepting
• gratitude and wonder are the heart of a spiritual life.

As we finish our discussion, Michael suggests a simple daily habit to heighten awareness and enrich your inner life— regardless of whether you are a skeptic or a believer.

Resources relevant to this episode:

• This Jungian Life: Prayer and the psyche (podcast)
• Michael, I thought you were dead (poems by Michael Fitzsimons)
• High Wire (poems by Michael Fitzsimons)
• Deciding to be happy in old age: Dale Copeland (interview with someone whose theme song is gratitude: ‘I’m so lucky!’