Discussion Of “Aging Life”

WED., OCT. 27, 1999, 10:00 AM
OFFICE, PULLIAM

The Scripture study/discussion was, this morning, quite worthwhile, with most of you continuing to interact, about this Letter of Paul’s. It presented this spiritual “truth” that you all fall short of sinlessness, no matter how dedicated you are, but that My sacrifice, as Jesus, when accepted, does negate those sins and give you the “free gift” of forgiveness and acceptance. You are quite aware that this doesn’t mesh very well with your culture’s concept of justice and of hard, dedicated work.

Many years ago you accepted this “gift,” and then, more than 20 years ago now, you accepted My invitation to hear Me and to record these Teachings. As I observe Christians and other spiritual folk (some more spiritual than many Christians) there is a diversity of real acceptance of this gift, with more and less comfort in facing this Scriptural affirmation. I’ll say you do accept My offer and thus My assurance, but are you writing these Teachings as “payment” for your salvation… or… just out of the joy of hearing Me, sharing with you observations on your life? Is the fact that you feel uncomfortable if you don’t have at least three of these each week a truly felt loss… or… do you just feel that you haven’t kept “your end of the bargain”? Yet I’ll accept your statement to Robert that as you age you feel less need to “understand” all that you believe and experience and less concern when everything doesn’t “fit together neatly.”

Old age is a time in earth life to put aside the “drive” to make clear “sense” in regard to life and just accept some perceptions and values and action that may seem contradictory, to some extent. In relation to your remaining earth life you have some desires and motivations to continue to live and to remain somewhat “active” in this continuance of physical and mental functioning. At the same time you are aware of physical and mental losses, and more life, with more incapacities, almost negates these wishes for longevity.

You are enjoying this life as an “aging man.” I’ll assure you that because this is an ongoing process, there is no “perfect, magic balance” that you can maintain. Adaptations of various sorts will continue to be needed. In some instances and situations you’ll need to compensate; in others you’ll be better off withdrawing. Be aware that your perceptions and values are changing as you age. Assess yourself from time to time… but not too often. The rhythms of your 70’s will be somewhat different (but not completely) than those of your earlier decades. Your spirit, rather than your mind, will increasingly be that which guides you best.

You are recognizing (and even occasionally voicing) the fact that your cancer may be a good means to the best balance for the rest of your life. Your goal should be to slow the growth (and, hence, its capacity to bring death… soon) AND then because you know of the probable cause of your death the main goal should be to live life fully, joyfully, and perceptively. Make fewer judgments about what is good and what is bad… what should be applauded and what opposed… what to be hated.

Love should be your primary emotion and “state of being.” For example, love your Farm despite its “far from neat appearance.” Love the opportunities to make it more attractive. Love the new, neater condition. Love those friends, colleagues, and former students who send you encouragement in various ways. Show this love by replying, even in some brief form. Love this era and this life you’ve been privileged to live, but lovingly trust that the spirit world and realm to which you will go also has much to recommend it. It’s an apt, but strange, “rendition” of “out of the mud grows the lotus.”

As your aging progresses, focus on and appreciate what you still have, rather than on what you are losing or have lost. Be conscious of avoiding excessive concern for yourself, knowing that concern for others is the best antidote. Yes, I do recommend staying out of the medical care system (which is quite secondarily a health care system) as much as possible, for this does encourage concern for self.