Amongst gerontologists (those who study the elders), the last phase of life was, until recently, labelled as Old Age. The issues faced were those of decline. The crisis faced was that of Integrity versus Despair; one vacillated between keeping it all together and giving up. As gerontologists grow older, their perspective is changing. An additional "last phase" has been added: Gerotranscendence. A mouthful to be sure, but not too bad for a start. I prefer to call this phase of life "The Interflow of Capacioiusness." Let's just call it IC (analogous to I See).
What goes on in the IC phase of existence? What does Interflow of Capaciousness mean?
An identity shift occurs. As you approach the decline and the dropping of the physical body, you launch into another realm, the realm that generates the physical, the realm of the life force that the physical embodies. You progressively inhabit the cosmic body. The physical body and the social body are still meaningful yet you do not identify with them as much. The physical and the social are cherished and appreciated yet you have "laid up your treasures" in a wider deeper realm.
You begin to see yourself, to experience yourself more and more as a cosmic being with no bounds. You have, you are, great capaciousness, experiencing the interflow of all. In this phase of life, you are already launching into the Beyond which has always been and always will be Here Now. This is your new body which you graciously accept.
What goes on in the IC phase of existence? What does Interflow of Capaciousness mean?
An identity shift occurs. As you approach the decline and the dropping of the physical body, you launch into another realm, the realm that generates the physical, the realm of the life force that the physical embodies. You progressively inhabit the cosmic body. The physical body and the social body are still meaningful yet you do not identify with them as much. The physical and the social are cherished and appreciated yet you have "laid up your treasures" in a wider deeper realm.
You begin to see yourself, to experience yourself more and more as a cosmic being with no bounds. You have, you are, great capaciousness, experiencing the interflow of all. In this phase of life, you are already launching into the Beyond which has always been and always will be Here Now. This is your new body which you graciously accept.
Well and carefully described, George. I might add that a sense ofconcern for all the "grandchildren" and those yet unborn is a part of this phase, but it is less from a sense of social urgency than from a sense of prayerful mentorship. Steve F.
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