Kathleen Dowling SinghThe Grace in Aging: Awaken as You Grow Older

This book has made such a difference in how I understand my life and aging. I recommend it to caregivers to see what aging people go through and what thoughts can help them.

This is a book that I could--and plan to--read over and over as I age.

This book takes a good look at the realities of aging: physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and offers up a perspective on all of it that is attainable no matter your age or challenges.

The book is wonderful. Unfortunately, my edition has a misprint. I’m missing from pages 245 -270. (Opening the Heart and Opening the Mind, Afterward, Appendix and Citations). Instead, I have the four previous chapters twice. Not sure how that happened. Wish I could read the missing pages…

I was first introduced to Kathleen Singh’s work through a well known retreat leader who mentioned the helpfulness of her book, The Grace in Dying. At that time I was in my early 60’s and newly diagnosed with a life threatening disease.This book was an amazingly useful tool to help me navigate this time as well as the years following.Now turning 70, I am even more in the category of “aging.” The Grace in Aging has become another useful tool in “gathering the conditions” which lead to a fuller life while both aging and dying, both part of the life process.I have a favorite quote at this point. There is one on every page. In referring to the Sanskrit word usually translated as “emptiness “ or “void," she describes the word as originally derived from the Sanskrit for “zero." She states, “Zero is the point where form and formlessness meet in perfect balance. This is the awakened state. To live at the zero point is to be liberated.”You may be “an aspiring zero.” To live the remaining years of life as a “zeros” would be truly grace. Kathleen Singh’s newest book wisely offers resources to put ourselves in the way of such grace.

I read Dr. Singh's book on dying after I lost my partner suddenly and unexpectedly, and of the many (maybe 40) books that I read seeking to understand life, death, and grief, it made the most sense. But I was afraid, and it took another 18 months after I had purchased it, to read this book. I had experienced a resurgence of profound and intense sadness almost to the point of suicide. I could see nowhere to go. Life was empty. The sole source of love, of friendship, my sustenance was gone, I was living in a sea of emptiness, aloneness. From this vantage point when I consulted my Kindle library for my next book (reading as escape from pain), I was drawn to this book. It was time. I can only say that Dr. Singh is the closest friend you ever had, a soulmate, a person of such discerning wisdom and compassion that you feel warm and secure held in the embrace of lovingkindness. Not a guru, not a therapist, not a spiritual advisor or a life coach, perhaps a mother? Words fail me, but she is the real deal.

What she has to say is excellent. She describes the path to finding grace in our lives. However, it is no different than for anyone at any age. She preaches too much about aging being our last chance to step onto the path. I feel as if she's wagging her finger at the reader instead of inviting us to join. There are many other dharma books that far better engage and encourage the seeker without all the "now or never" attitude.

The author has been able with this book to make a very important and relevant subject accessible to everyone. The wisdom is captured and presented alongside a collection of beautiful, thought-provoking quotes and poems. As I began to read this work I found myself being quickly drawn into the stories and references to many spiritual, wisdom texts. I come from a Christian tradition, and found the material was opening up scriptural references I had known for many years in a refreshing and relevant new way. Actually this way appears to be ancient, it just can seem new to a contemporary audience that has not yet been exposed to the opportunity to find deeper meaning in the second half of life. The presentation of these truths is done in way that celebrates and honors all faith traditions. Ms. Singh has provided an very accessible means to avail yourself to some core wisdom that can start a life transformation that will bring much joy! I want to find a way to share this with a group of friends, maybe a reading/discussion group!! Can't wait!