Life, Part Two: Seven Keys to Awakening with Purpose and Joy as You Age

Meditation counselor Chernikoff's Buddhist-leaning debut guide to graceful, conscious aging sees the challenges inherent to the second half of life%E2%80%94whether chronological or due to a major life shift, such as a cancer diagnosis%E2%80%94as a "remarkable curriculum for awakening." He articulates core principles for synthesizing "wisdom and love from long life experience," among them embracing mystery, choosing a vision, awakening intuition, committing to inner work, suffering effectively, serving from the heart, and celebrating the journey. Chernikoff recommends a cultivated balance of introspection and service that contributes to collective well-being. Examples are drawn from his hospice work and experience teaching psychology and meditation, and the conversational tone avoids the judgmental "to do" vibe common in self-help works, though the author quietly urges readers to work toward making a transformative reassessment of their relationship to the world. There's limited specifics addressing the inevitable bodily changes of aging, or the loss of loved ones and the Western cultural attitude toward aging; Chernikoff focuses more on the ineffable. Readers feeling unmoored after a certain age can take in much from this contemplative take on finding connection and purpose. (Dec.)