2026 The Alchemy of Spiritual Eldering
guided by Saki Lee
LIOBA MONASTERY, JUNE 29 (11:00) -JULY 2 (15:00), 2026
nearby sea, dunes and forests of North Holland
with optional possibility to continue for 3 more days on silent retreat to integrate - If the Abdij is already full this can only be an option online!
In many traditional and indigenous cultures, the elders are honoured for their wisdom and life experiences. They continue to serve their communities in specific roles or tasks that contribute to the fullness of life and creative expression in others, especially the younger generation.
Although this is not mirrored in many western youth-oriented societies, eldering can be an empowering and creative phase in later life. It is a transition from the “doing” phase of life that was formerly ego-driven, to a more spacious “being” phase of life that connects one with presence, wisdom and vision that are natural and authentic.
The work of spiritual eldering demands great courage and honesty of us if we are to consciously explore the process of growing older and wiser. We have to keep our hearts awake by asking ourselves and each other: “how can my eldering bring out the best in me? How do I amplify the wisdom, joy, radiance and compassion of who I truly am? How can I embrace the unity of being in the dance of life that is sometimes up and then down, joyfuyl and then sorrowful and keep anchored in the the remaining time I have left?”
In reality, the journey from late middle age (ca. 50) into fulfilled elderhood can be an empowering time for enhanced emotional, psychological and spiritual well being. But it can also be quite challenging to face diminishment in body and mind, and to encounter the many limitations and changes that come up.It takes commitment and faith to nurture a steadfastness in our inner lives, which anchors us at our most vulnerable, confusing and painful moments. We also need other like-minded people to share our human experiences with, and to open up our hearts in the recognition that eldering is a shared and universal journey. Spiritual Eldering is empowering when it is fueled by loving awareness, conscious intention, self discovery and appreciation for the wholeness in the dance of life.
PLEASE NOTE: the optional three days of individual retreat will take place at the nearby abbey, but unless you are sure to book this ahead of time with us, there might not be place because other groups could book this quickly.
ABOUT THE RETREAT GUIDE: Saki Lee has been walking the Sufi path since 1974, when she first met her beloved teacher, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan. For more than four decades she has served as a Murshida in the Inayatiyya Sufi Order, guiding seekers worldwide through retreats, teachings, and mentoring.
Rooted in the joy of sacred music and the Dances of Universal Peace, her work weaves together Sufi practice, the healing wisdom of East Asian medicine, and her training in Conscious Ageing with the Institute of Noetic Sciences. With a heart-centered and integrative approach, she invites seekers into practices that awaken the soul, deepen compassion, and reveal the sacredness of daily life