InPresence 0054: Facing Old Age

InPresence host, Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, is author of The Roots of Consciousness, Psi Development Systems, and The PK Man. Between 1986 and 2002 he hosted and co-produced the original Thinking Allowed public television series. He is the recipient of the only doctoral diploma in "parapsychology" ever awarded by an accredited university (University of California, Berkeley, 1980). For many years he served as president of the non-profit Intuition Network, an organization dedicated to creating a world in which all people were supported and encouraged in developing inner intuitive abilities.

Here he points out that, at age 71, he is entering the phase of life known as "old age". Born in 1946, he is also in the vanguard of the "baby boom" generation. He notes that, during old age, the body gradually loses its functionality. In effect, it is a slow preparation for death. Because of financial and political circumstances, elderly people will increasingly need to rely on their own inner resources. This will require a strong spiritual and psychic foundation for the trials and ordeals of aging.

(Recorded on April 2, 2018)

To download an edited English transcript of InPresence 0054, go to

[Paddyllfixit]

You're young at heart and a bounty of youthful energy Jeff. There's Life In The Old Dog Yet. When 80yr olds are now running marathons there's hope for us all.

[DodefiEnglish]

Thank you so much again for your wisdom. And here is what I already do today as preparation:

1. I am only fifty years old. Nevertheless, I deal daily with the prospect of death.
2. I contemplate the question: Who am I?
3. As an athlete, I have aged overnight. This loss of mobility was a gift. It reminds me daily of the inevitable. I watch and accept as well as I can the physical descent.
4. I study the paranormal. But I try to gain experience first. Lucid Dreaming, OBE's, Synchronicities
5. Very rarely do I use entheogens to expand my consciousness.
6. I meditate and strive daily for more awareness.
7. I love my family as much as I can.
8. I fully appreciate all the beauty around me.
9. I try hard to overcome my fears and just let go - no matter what!

[lyndaschroeder]

Wow. I have drawn comfort from author John gray on YouTube who has cured his parkensons and has much help for aging issues. Very inspiring. I am 77 and plan to die laughing...and maybe soon. I hurt today...gotta stop that sugar. Darn!! :)

[altalt]

Thank you. My great great grandfather who had been gored by a bull and lost the use of one leg as a young man while he was trying to help another young man who was being chased by the bull, was said to be joking and laughing on his deathbed. I would love to be like that. I knew when I was small that I would go right back to the wonderful place I came from. And never understood why all the adults were so frightened all the time. Well, I learned their ways! Now I would like to unlearn that fear thing. And when I die to be joyful about where I am headed. That is indeed what happened for my grandfather and mother when they died. They were joyful and happy to go where they were going, and could see it, it seemed.

[joanchaffinbawcom]

In reality, all you have is right now. Personally, I think finding happiness each day, staying curious, and appreciating the beauty of this world is the best that I can do.

[tewtravelers]

Dr. Mishlove, you are a well of wisdom. I can't ever remember a time in my life when I felt like I had mentor. Even during my 15 years o military service, I never looked up to one of my leaders. I always look forward to what you have to say. Thank you!

[KazimirArdekanian]

Thanks Dr. Mishlove! I think just being aware of the inevitable decline is the best preparation. 
As a late baby-boomer, being aware of the fact I am approaching aging is preventing me of doing stupid things (financially and mentally) to the best of my knowledge.

[TheEvda]

You gave me tears... you are a wonderful human.

[johnpaul]

Very sobering, Jeffrey. In a good way. Taking care of one's health always seems to be the first priority. Relating today's video to yesterday's, committing to good health has always seemed easier to comprehend, emotionally, than committing to happiness, at least for me. But I'm thinking about both now, thanks to you.

[skyblue-lbkr]

As we age, we become less and less matter and more and more
-Joseph Campbell

[houshangsarkesh]

Hello Jeffrey, I am 36 from IRAN, I enjoy your videos so much, wanted to thank you so much for giving us knowlage, much luv and respect from Tehran

[Sacred-Heart-of-Jesus]

I had a transformative spiritual experience before a car accident when I was 26 years old. All I can say is there is no such thing as death but you are right: spiritual development and doing a deep dive into your spirituality is a wonderful thing!❤💘I take great care of myself. I live within my means, have very little debt and I save. I have a ways to go before retirement. But death can come at any age. We are grateful you lived this long to make these great videos!😊😎❤

[marikalathem]

Jon Kabat Zinn (when speaking of mindfulness) told a story about a woman who said ' ten years ago I turned my head for a moment and it became my life'. Every day is a gift to be grateful for. Sometimes youth does not lend itself to this understanding...not a criticism of youth but rather a normal premise of that developmental stage. Hopefully we begin to understand the importance of paying attention on purpose and being present, as we get older.

[tekannon]

Dear Mr Mishlove, I think I speak for many people when I say thank you for your wonderful and enlightening contribution to the world through your video casts. I feel like I have been offered a new education from your work and your many guests’ work. My suggestion towards aging and any challenge all of us face or will be facing is with visualization. It is the one tool that we have at our disposal that can shed positive light on whatever it is we are going to be encountering. Does it work? This is the question. I can only say I believe it is worth a try. What I like about visualization is that it seems to help us get through difficult situations.

[peggyharris]

Dr. Ellen Langers book 'Counterclockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility' is a must read for aging. She also has some great utube lectures.

Don't mind death, but suffering really sucks.

[semichiganandy]

Talk about synchronicity. What preparations can I make? Well, I'm leaving for the knee doctor appt. in a few minutes. There was just enough time to watch your video before leaving.

[LilyGazou]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with us here. Lots of food for thought.

[chiccorealo]

Thank-you Dr Mishlove for your insight and wise topics covered here. Technology may, one day, sustain life longer with quality, to immortality levels? According to Biblical plan the Adam template allows this, and our original sin is one day made whole through the "Cocoon " ( great movie) process we are not fully able to realize in the seemingly fated duality of opposites. To live life.well-lived in the spirit is a gift. Seniors need respect and protection, agencies such as C, A, R, P. help to advocate for our generation. This is how I love to spend my time; doing what I feel may one day make positive change for vulnerable people and their caregivers. We're worth it! 💞🕊👍

[tomtillman]

To answer your closing question, You can attend to the onset of dementia by addressing it now. Recent research indicates that there are a number of things you can do. See the Ted talks in this arena. The plasticity of the human brain is an interesting area, and there are a number of studies indicating that you have considerable control over it. I do not have the space or time to go into it here. But one should definitely investigate this area.

[RemixSample]

I like to think of ageing as life forcing you into meditation. The way you are grinded down may be a bit brutal but the sooner you stop resisting that moment of clarity is going to arise within you.