THE SELF AS PROCESS IN LATE-LIFE REMINISCENCE - SPIRITUAL ATTRIBUTES

Ageing has been referred to as a spiritual journey. Empirical data fro m gerontological research and practice literature on the phenomenon of late-life reminiscence reveal a sense of self as process, and ageing as a spiritual journey for a number of older persons. The empirical da ta and experiential reports on reminiscence from the elderly themselve s point to a life trajectory or 'journey' of the self that moves from a possessive attachment to an identification with the physical self, s ignificant others, and material belongings to a view of self as a proc ess, as 'being' rather than 'having' within and as part of a larger pr ocess. A process conception of the self derived from William james, co ntemporary social science, and process theology is delineated to expla in the nature of this journey and this process. Two older women who il lustrate the process conception of self in their reminiscences are pre sented, followed by a discussion of the spiritual implications of this conception.