Follow Us
A Social Enterprise
Elder - A New Form of Beginning
An update on the Elder Essays book
An update on The Elder Essays book
I am on the last leg of writing my book. But that last leg takes time, takes editors and publishers, takes some beta readers for testimony, and as always, those encounters with the many unforeseen elements that were never previously considered.
My writing as a contemporary elder feeds curiosity, excavates greater self-understanding, expands consciousness, sharpens awareness, and keeps me on purpose while generating revelations and insights.
Writing encourages the formation of relationships with authentic elders, men, and women of higher wisdom, which then allow me access to my higher wisdom.
One part of any book is the Author’s Page. For me, in this particular book, I wanted purpose over person. And I want it to open the book, not be the last page. The reader needs to know the “source” and “why” to get the most value from the book.
Here is the Author Page from THE ELDER ESSAYS: (Pub. 2024).
THE AUTHOR & THE PURPOSE
Dr. Marc B Cooper
CONTEMPORARY ELDER INSTITUTE
Elder Coaching and Development
Founder, Sangha Shepard, Jnana Yoga Teacher
Facilitating Older to Elder, Age to Sage, Aimless to Purpose
After 78 years on the planet, who I am now can be simply presented.
Learner. Seeker. Shepard. Speaker. Discoverer. Entrepreneur. Leader. Partner. Teacher. Author. Source. Trainer. Experiencer. Coach. Husband. Father. Existentialist. Metaphysicist. Contemporary Elder. Human Being.
One purpose of the Contemporary Elder Institute is to bring higher wisdom more present in the world. This is based on today’s world of suffering, pain, distrust, anger, hate, environmental degradation, nationalism, violence, murder, war, and homelessness. Yes, our world.
It’s getting worse, not better.
Whatever we’re doing is not working.
Higher wisdom is missing in having these conversations move in a different direction.
Higher wisdom is the domain of elders.
The job of the Contemporary Elder Institute is to develop elders who are welcomed, listened and heard, who alter the context and the people having these conversations.
Bringing higher wisdom to the table alters the conditions in which words are spoken, what is heard and understood, and impacts the people’s humanity having these conversations.
Higher wisdom, if appropriately executed, has tremendous power.
Another intimately related purpose of the Contemporary Elder Institute is to transmogrify those who want to become elders for our time, for our world, and, as importantly, for themselves. As elders, to possess and express far greater consciousness, peace, grace, wisdom, and equanimity in their lives and relationships.
Becoming an elder is a pilgrimage. A path requiring self-awareness, self-understanding, and truthful self-discovery. A path where self-reflection, contemplation, and meditation are good boots to wear. But beware on this path, self-deception can become a stone in your boot.
The path isn’t easy and oftentimes uncomfortable, but for those who hear the clarion call to elder, it is absolutely worth it. Who one becomes as a contemporary elder is someone who can alter the future, bringing one to operate as their highest self, with the greatest humanity, with the fullest self-expression, and with the deepest appreciation for life, theirs and others.
