Previous Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) classes

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Eldership: Leadership in the Second Half of Life 

Becoming an “elder” has lost most of its meaning in our culture. Yet eldership presents the promise of wise leadership for the greater good. Many key thought leaders, from psychologist Carl Jung to contemporary theologist Richard Rohr, have pointed toward the two halves of life and their corresponding tasks and gifts. Only those in the second half of life can bring the necessary wisdom of a true elder and mature leader. This course will explore the potentially transformative nature of aging, becoming an elder, and the importance of developing wise leadership in the second half of life.

Eldership 2.0 - The conversation continues

Becoming an “elder” has lost most of its meaning in our culture. Yet eldership presents the promise of wise leadership for the greater good. Continuing our exploration of the topic, we will take a more focused look at the concept of eldership from different authors and perspectives, with the goal of creating an intentional eldership stance and practice. This course will explore the potentially transformative nature of aging and the importance of developing wisdom in the second half of life. Please join us whether you have taken the previous eldership course or not.

Older and Wiser: Wisdom in the 21st Century

The topic of wisdom has become in vogue in recent years. There has been extensive empirical research on the subject as well as increased availability of wisdom literature and philosophies from different cultures. Excitingly, there is increased evidence that both individuals and humankind in general can actually become wiser. This class will explore the notion of wisdom from different perspectives and examine various possibilities for developing wisdom—understanding that becoming “wise” is not the point of the journey.

The Good Life

What does it mean to live the good life? Is the good life different now than it was earlier in our lives? How does the pursuit of happiness and the yearning for meaning affect the way we live our lives? Does the good life include a responsibility to society? In this class we will examine what it means to live “the good life” from different perspectives, including the lens of positive psychology, the wisdom of Aristotle, and modern research on happiness. We will also discuss the impact of virtue and morality on our quest for the good life.

The Second Half of Life

Many key thought leaders, from Carl Jung to theologian Richard Rohr, have pointed towards two halves of life and their corresponding tasks and gifts. They note that only those in the second half of life can bring the necessary wisdom, maturity and eldership. Many are stuck in the first half, never realizing that there is a second half of life. Rohr writes,“If you realize that there is a further journey, you might do the warm-up act quite differently, which would better prepare you for what follows.” This class will explore what the second half of life means.

Beyond the Hero: Further Journeys into the Second Half of Life

At OLLI we are fortunate to have a number of classes that deal with the Hero’s Journey. The hero’s journey is an important mythic concept and perhaps the greatest and most tested model of change that we know. But it also has its limitations. Some see the journey as an overly masculine way of dealing with the world. Others see it as as a model for the first half of life. In this class we will examine our development beyond the heroic. We will use myths, fairy tales, and other texts to better understand how age and experience often call us to something deeper and wiser.

Topics in Wisdom — Wisdom as a Spiritual Quest

This class is a continuing exploration into wisdom and aging. Wisdom is a complex and multifaceted concept that can best be explored through group discussions and personal reflection. Each semester we explore wisdom from different perspectives. This session we will consider wisdom as a spiritual journey, using the lens of myth, religion, and psychology.

Topics in Wisdom — Perspectives from the Great Religions

This class is a continuing exploration into wisdom and aging. Wisdom is a complex and multifaceted subject which we explore through group discussion and personal reflection. Each quarter we examine wisdom from different perspectives. This session we will consider wisdom through the lenses of the great religions of the world and their sacred texts. We will explore each traditions’ understanding of wisdom, how it is cultivated, and the implications that it has for our contemporary world.

Topics in Wisdom — “Elder Tales”

This class is a continuing exploration into wisdom and aging. Wisdom is a complex and multifaceted concept that can best be explored through group discussions and personal reflection. Each semester we explore wisdom from different perspectives. This session we will look at the wisdom of elder tales, fairy tales that feature older protagonists. Elder tales present an alternative to the dominant heroic perspective and the unrealistic “happily ever after.” According to psychiatrist Allan Chinen, elder tales offer “a new image of maturity, centered around wisdom, self-knowledge, and transcendence.

Topics in Wisdom — “Elder Tales” part 2

This class is a continuing exploration into wisdom and aging. Each semester we examine wisdom from different perspectives. This session we’ll look again at wisdom through elder tales — fairy tales featuring older protagonists. Elder tales present an alternative to the dominant heroic perspective and unrealistic “happily ever after.” According to psychiatrist Allan Chinen, elder tales offer “a new image of maturity, centered around wisdom, self-knowledge, and transcendence.” Though this is the second part of a class first offered last year, it presents new material and is open to everyone.

Topics in Wisdom — Exploring Character

With the release of David Brooks’ The Road To Character, the importance of character has reemerged. But what is character? Is character learned, developed or is it inherent in our disposition? Does it change as we age? And what is our responsibility, if any, in developing character in others? We will explore the topic through various readings including Brooks, Aristotle, positive psychology, and more. In-class discussion will be the focus as we examine character, particularly in the second half of life, and through our role as elders in society.

Topics in Wisdom — Exploring Character Through Movies, part I

What is character? Is character learned, developed or is it inherent in our disposition? Does it change as we age? And what is our responsibility, if any, in developing character in others? This session we will further explore the topic through movies. Each week a different film will serve as the basis for discussion of specific character strengths and virtues using the VIA classification and survey. Participants should be prepared and able to watch several movies at home over the course of this session.

Topics in Wisdom — Exploring Character and Aging through the Movies

This class will look specifically at character as it relates to getting older — and getting older as it relates to character. Each week a different film will serve as the basis of discussion as we examine character through the lens of “conscious aging” — the development of wisdom and the tendency towards inner growth versus the more common “successful aging” model which focuses on maintaining physical and cognitive abilities. We will use the VIA classification and survey of character strengths and reference James Hillman's work on character as well.

Topics in Wisdom — Spirituality and Aging (first edition)

What is spirituality? Does it change as we age? How do we grow deeper in spirituality and wisdom as we grow older? Using Fowler's Stages of Faith Development model and Moody's Five Stages of the Soul we will explore spirituality, the stages of spiritual growth, the connection to the aging process and of course the development of wisdom. Each week we will look at readings, films, short stories or myths as we try to understand how to develop more spiritually as we age.

Topics in Wisdom — Spirituality and Aging part 1

What is spirituality? Does it change as we age? How do we grow deeper in spirituality and wisdom as we grow older? Using PhotoVoice (a form of participatory photography and action research) we will explore what spirituality means to each of us individually and attempt to find an acceptable definition. Then, as time allows, we will begin to discuss such topics as religion vs. spirituality, mature spirituality, spirituality as a journey, stages of spiritual growth, and of course the connection to aging and the development of wisdom.

Topics in Wisdom — Spirituality and Aging part 2 - The Adventure Continues

Picking up where we left off with part 1, we will continue to explore the questions: What is spirituality? Does it change as we age? How do we grow deeper in spirituality and wisdom as we grow older? Grounded with an understanding of what spirituality means to us individually, we will begin to examine stages of spiritual growth (such as Fowler, Erickson, and Jung) and their connection to the aging process. We’ll also supplement our discussions with readings, films, short stories and myths. Please take part 1 first.

Why Wisdom? 

When we see the way the world is going, sometimes we can do nothing but shake our heads in disbelief. If there is anything missing today, certainly wisdom would top the list. Why is it missing? What is it? Can it even be attained? And will wisdom really solve anything? These are the questions we will examine together as we seek to better understand wisdom and its place in our world.

Exploring the Second Half of Life

Popular media has begun to explore the two halves of life, such as Richard Rohr’s Falling Upward and most recently David Brooks’ The Second Mountain. The second half is more than a chronological indication of age. It is an important stage of life that, according to experts, not everyone appreciates or attains. We will explore some compelling literature and theories to better understand how we can best live in the second half, looking to Rohr, Brooks, Jung, Cicero, fairytales, transpersonal psychology, and elsewhere for insight and inspiration.

Beyond Happiness: The Promise and Possibilities of Aging
Why do we age? Is there a purpose? Is there meaning in old age and the aging process? In our culture, we often think of retirement as a time to finally do what we’ve always wanted. Of course, we also find new limitations and unexpected challenges. Through readings and group discussion, we’ll examine the possibilities that aging provides, the responsibilities of being elders, and perhaps discover a new promise in getting older that helps us redefine happiness and a life well lived.

Mature Spirituality
As we move from childhood to adulthood and beyond, does our understanding and sense of spirituality change? Many of us would probably say yes, but how? Important thought leaders, psychologists, theologians, and researchers show us that there are indeed spiritual stages of development and mature perspectives often not embraced or supported by our culture. In this course, we will begin to examine the possibility of an evolving and maturing spirituality, especially at this time in our lives. Please join us prepared to read, reflect, and discuss with an open mind.

Understanding "The Space Between" -- Lessons in Change for Aging Well 

 T. S. Eliot wrote, “What we call the beginning is often the end, And to make an end is to make a beginning.” Between an end and a new beginning is what has been called "liminal space." In this space, both fear of the unknown and possibility exist. We experience this space often as we age. We’ve also experienced liminality globally during the pandemic. Something is ending; something new is beginning. In this course, we’ll explore liminal space and what we can learn about life after retirement, post pandemic, and in facing uncertainty and change now and in the future.

"Olders" or Elders?

In today’s world, people get older and older, but do not necessarily become wiser. One of my favorite thinkers, Michael Meade, differentiates between “olders” and elders. “The olders live longer and longer, but not necessarily to the benefit of themselves or other people.” So what does it mean to be an elder? Is it important or does it even matter? Can we choose to become elders rather than just becoming older? Join us for an interesting exploration and discussion, based on readings, poems, movies and a fairy tale or two.

Aging, Spirituality, and the Hero’s Journey

Aging can be looked at as a spiritual journey. Aging well also requires us to understand and embrace change. The Hero’s Journey is a time-tested model that gives insight to spiritual growth and the value of change. In this, the first of a three-part course exploring the heroic journey of life, we will examine the Hero's Journey from several perspectives. Subsequent classes in this series will include the Heroine’s Journey, a more feminist perspective, and the Elder’s Journey, aging as a sacred pilgrimage.

Aging, Spirituality, and the Heroines Journey

This is the second class in a three-part series exploring aging as a spiritual journey. The first class used the lens of the Hero’s Journey. This time we’ll turn toward the Heroine’s Journey, a model not merely in contrast to its masculine counterpart. The Heroine’s Journey has its own path, often characterized as a balance between the masculine and feminine, something often lost in our achievement-oriented world. In addition, this journey seeks wholeness and is informed by wisdom. Our exploration will have much to offer men as well as women.

Aging, Spirituality, and the Elder’s Journey

Following two previous courses exploring aging as a spiritual journey through the lens of the Hero’s/Heroine’s Journey, this term, we will examine the development of the "elder" as the spiritually mature evolution of the hero/heroine. Using fairy tales, Jungian psychology, and modern stories to prompt discussions, we will consider how aging consciously can transcend the heroic, why it is inherently a mature spiritual journey, and how it applies to what has been popularly called "the second half of life." This class is also open to those who did not participate in the first two sessions. 

Introduction to Tai Chi and Qigong

Tai chi and qigong are complementary traditional Chinese arts that help to improve one’s health, vitality, and wellbeing. Tai chi is a series of gentle flowing movements based on martial arts. Qigong is a mind/body exercise that helps stimulate “elemental life force.” In this class, you will learn some of the basic forms of traditional Yang tai chi and the qigong form Baduanjin. Both can be performed standing or seated. We will also explore some of the philosophy and basic principles behind these arts.