Writing as a Spiritual Practice (The Spirituality of Later Life)

After previewing the topics of future issues in the series, Robert C. Atchley shares his reflections on contemplation, mysticism, and the spirituality of aging. Guest editor Ellen B. Ryan, in "Writing as a Spiritual Practice," previews the special focus of the current issue and introduces its six contributing writers. Ellen S. Jaffe in "Writing Your Way" explores writing in a journal as a creative writing practice central to reflective aging. In "The Tapestry of Your Life," Nora Zylstra-Savage focuses on the rewards of memoir writing. Paula Papky - in "Writing in Groups" - and Rhoda Neshama Waller - in "Elder Wisdom: Walking the Path of Poetry" - explore how a group process increases awareness, creativity, and community. Karen Bannister, in "Writing to Reclaim Identity in Dementia," uses memoirs written by Alzheimer's patients to illustrate writing as a pathway to personal wholeness. Interspersed throughout the volume are poems and excerpts from poems. Many of these are reprinted from the recently published anthology, Celebrating Poets Over 70, which is lauded in an article by its co-editor Marianne Vespry. Other poets - John Clarke, Desir? Lyners Volkwijn, and Nancy Corson Carter - provide additional contributions. Rounding out the issue, Henry B. Simmons, in a powerful and beautifully illustrated essay, "Elders and the Practice of Hope," probes the spiritual grounding of environmental activism. Second Journey sage-in-residence, John G. Sullivan, explores "Remembrance as a Spiritual Practice." The volume closes with an autobiographical piece by Second Journey founder Bolton Anthony, followed by a review of two recent books which provide ideas and inspiration for those who wish to walk more gently on this earth.