Life Review Through Meditative Journaling

ABSTRACT

I offer techniques and reflections for conducting workshops on life review through meditative journaling. Life review is a valuable way to encounter one's own aging. We explore simple forms of guided imagery meditation, modes of brief journaling, and ways of sharing resulting thoughts and feelings among participants. Two approaches, the developmental and the topical, are discussed. The developmental leads participants from earliest memories through youth, middle age and later years. The topical approach centers on negative and positive issues in the aging process. The meditative, journaling method can foster greater self-awareness and solidarity with persons facing similar issues.