George and Sedona Cappanneli are co-founders of AgeNation, a digital media company dedicated to providing solutions for people who weren't born yesterday. They are experts on societal, organizational, and individual change. They have targeted this inspirational book for GenXers (40-45), Boomers (46-64) and Elders (65+) who want to live richer and fuller lives. To achieve this goal they have put together a winning mix of straight talk, life strategies, and practical tools for the 150 million Americans who will soon be 50 years and older. In their dedication page, the authors pay special tribute to Zalman Schacter-Shalomi who has guided so many older people into a fresh understanding of spiritual eldering and conscious aging.
Although our culture still focuses on the pleasures and the potencies of youth, we are gradually seeing some baby steps being taken to herald the joys and satisfactions of later life. The Cappannellis offer encouragement for the road ahead with quotations, ideas, and resources on harvesting the wisdom of your past (dealing with incompletes, moving beyond limiting beliefs, dealing with little deaths), making the most of the present moment (going with the flow, being curious, staying awake, turning toward things that scare us, mastering the three great illusions, getting over being right), and charting a remarkable course for your future (crazy wisdom, let passion lead, and a legacy and stewardship of hope).
We affirm the Cappannellis' enthusiasm and their confidence that the best is yet to come since elders will now have the time to devote to spiritual practices, inward journeys, and putting their lives in order through living wills and legacy work. Stay tuned for more books and articles and curated material on Spirituality & Practice in our Elder Spirituality Project, including the e-course The Sage's Tao Te Ching with William Martin.
