Psychology of Successful Aging: Theme - Consciousness & Spirituality PSY 529 (Graduate Course)
Course Director: Toru Sato
Course description:
This course will consist of an exploration of what is means
to mature as a human being. It will include an exploration of who we
are beyond our beliefs of what we think we are. This exploration will
include various exercises and an explanation of some of the theoretical
assumptions behind these exercises. Through the exercises and
discussions, students are encouraged to explore what this journey in
this world means and how they can live a life that is most meaningful
to themselves.
Required Reading:
de Saint Exupery, A. (1943). The little prince (trans. K. Woods). New York: Harcourt Brace (Library Reserve).
Silverstein, S. (1964). The giving tree. New York: Harper-Collins (Library Reserve).
Recommended Reading:
Brach, T. (2013). True refuge: Finding peace and freedom in your own awakened heart. New York: Bantam.
Dass, R. (2000). Still here. New York: Riverhead.
Estés, C. P. (2010). The dangerous old woman: Myths and stories of the wise woman archetype [audiobook]. Louisville, CO: Sounds True.
Gunaratana, H. (1992). Mindfulness in plain English. Boston, MA: Wisdom Publications.
Johnson, R. A. (1989). Inner work: Using dreams and active imagination for personal growth. New York: Harper & Row.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. New York: Random House.
Katie, B., & Mitchell, S. (2003). Loving what is: Four questions that can change your life. New York: Three Rivers Press.
Ladinsky, D. (1999). Love poems from God. New York: Penguin.
Levine, S. (1982). Who dies? An investigation of conscious living and conscious dying. New York: Doubleday.
Sato, T. (2018). Psychology of adult development: Looking forward to getting old and dying. Shippensburg, PA: Self-Published.
Smith, H. (1991). The world's religions: Our great wisdom traditions. New York: Harper-Collins.
Walsh, R. (1999). Essential spirituality: Seven central practices to awaken heart and mind. New York: Wiley.
Watts, A. (1966). The book: On the taboo against knowing who you are. New York: Vintage books.
Welwood, J. (1997). Love and awakening: Discovering the sacred path of intimate relationship. New York: Harper Perennial.
Evaluation:
Students will work on a project for their own personal development and evaluate themselves by reflecting on their own progress at an exit interview at the end of the course. Although it is not required, students are welcome to create their own assignments and solicit feedback from the instructor throughout the course.
Classroom etiquette:
Please turn all electronic devices off and place them in a non-visible location during class time. Please make every effort to arrive to class on time and stay until the class is finished.
Discussion Topics |
Facing the Shadow |
The Work |
Facing the Existential Void |
Returning Home |
Transcending the Ego |
The Heavenly Self |
Meditative & Contemplative practices |
Presence: The Marriage of Heaven & Earth |
Pitfalls in Personal Development |
Wakeful Human Relationships |
Helping others grow |
Why are we here? |
Living in Paradox |
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