This Is Getting Old: Zen Thoughts on Aging with Humor and Dignity

Great thoughts about living life, at any age, with the added perspective of age. Still, not particularly deep. I think that Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung or many/most things by the Dalai Lama are more beneficial to me, though I believe This Is Getting Old certainly is written in a way that is accessible for most any reader. ( )

This is a good book for someone who is feeling the pinch of aging and needs a friendly voice from someone who has experience. It might be a bit of a scary peek into life as a 60+ year old for someone who is still younger or is in excellent health.
I could easily relate to the experience of becoming mysteriously invisible as one ages. I especially liked the chapter on some of the gifts that aging brings, such as the opportunity to rediscover one's inner tomboy. ( )

Feeble effort. Shallow and annoying to read. I appreciated her description of deep, long-lasting depression; but again her whining tone re. the sources of her depression was quite pathetic. I too have trod that path and it is impossible to convey the full hell of it. (Susan Moon gives it a very good try). My life circumstances are overwhelmingly more tragic than hers, hence the source of much of my dislike of this book. These books on aging can be treasures, but this isn't one of them. Instead read Florida Maxwell, May Sarton, or for fun, Erma Bombeck. ( )

Thank you Susan Moon! She who was never going to grow old, has certainly found the words, grace, humor and wisdom to have crafted a wonderful collection of essays on the very subject. I am not a Buddhist, nor do I understand Zen, but I was captivated by Susan's ideas, and her courage to be so honest in her own questions about it. This has joined my favorites list, it was an enjoyable read, but one I put down several times to think. I kept thinking I'd like to meet this woman, I think I'd like her. ( )

I am young anough to be Susan Moon's child...so reading this at this point in my life is like talking to my mother about aging (which I never do beyond "boy my knees ache" and "getting old stinks"). I do study Buddhism, but more often it's Tibetan Buddhism mostly with Pema Chodron. I don't read a lot of non-fiction unless I am forced to (when I'm on an award committee for ALSC or for work)...and I think this is probably the first essay collection I have ever read cover to cover. So I don't think this book and I were destined to be best friends...but it was fantastic. It made me laugh, cry, and think. My sisters are not readers, Buddhists, nor are they old by any stretch but I am trying to think of ways to trick them into reading this because I believe they will get as much out of it as I did.

It's split into three sections of related essays: one on body aging, one of changing relationships, and one on spiritual matters, In each of the sections there were essays that made me cry. I laughed out loud several times. And, though I kept thinking how little I have in common with this older, braver, much more out-going, straight lady...I just kept nodding and feeling we have more in common. I am so very happy to have foud this book! ( )