Many of us seek a safe space within which to be authentic, trusting, caring and open to change. We are searching for a way of life that embraces wisdom and compassion as its core principles. By “wisdom” we mean deep insight into the ways we are connected and how the strength of each one of us is vital to the whole. 

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The idea of creating a Wisdom Circle to share with friends and colleagues came from integrating personal learning experiences from three significant institutions: The University of Chicago Leadership and Society Initiative (LSI) https://leadforsociety.uchicago.edu/; the Modern Elder “Midlife Wisdom” Academy (MEA) https://www.meawisdom.com/ ; and also the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging (KIHA), Ritchie School of Engineering, University of Denver.

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https://ritchieschool.du.edu/aging. Approximately 45 individuals, all women between the ages of 52 and 80, comprise a Wisdom Group (a bit large to refer to as a circle) who meet once per month at the University of Denver, Institute for Healthy Aging. Our intent as participants is to engage with each other at deep levels of wisdom and compassion.  Our stories are the language of community and we are linked by a vision of a more humane and sustainable future for everyone.  This is a place to practice heart-to-heart communication, share a vision, create community as well as to learn to be more fully ourselves while simultaneously becoming an integral part of a group.                

                 

Our principles are based upon concepts emanating from 300 BC. They include: Respect for one another (epistemic humility); recognition of each other’s differences and culture (milieu); and appreciation of Aristotelian ethics and virtues.  

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Aristotle believed that knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom and at the intersection where your gifts, talents and abilities meet a human need, therein you will discover your purpose. He also suggested that the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.

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You are invited to join a Wisdom Group by contacting Barbara Kreisman, PhD, founder of Purposeful-Aging.Org at Barbara.Kreisman@du.edu or bkreisman@purposeful-aging.org