In many parts of the world, growing older can feel like a quiet slide into invisibility. But that isn’t how all societies see it. Around the globe, ageing is treated not just as a biological process, but as a spiritual and cultural journey, one that carries meaning, dignity, and sometimes even sacred status. 

As TurningSixty continues to explore life beyond sixty, we wanted to take a moment to look outward, to traditions and beliefs that might offer comfort, insight, or a shift in perspective on what it means to age. 

Buddhism: Ageing as a Teacher 

In Buddhist traditions, ageing is one of the “three signs of existence”, along with sickness and death, that highlight the impermanence of life. Far from being something to fear or resist, ageing is seen as a natural reminder to live with mindfulness and compassion. 

Monastics often meditate on the ageing body as a way to develop detachment and peace. The later years of life can be viewed as a spiritual opportunity, a time to deepen practice, simplify life, and let go. 

Hinduism: The Four Stages of Life 

Hindu philosophy offers a structured view of the human lifespan known as the ashramas, or four stages of life: 

1. Student (Brahmacharya) 

2. Householder (Grihastha) 

3. Forest-dweller (Vanaprastha) 

4. Renunciate (Sannyasa) 

After raising a family and contributing to society, the third stage invites reflection and withdrawal from worldly duties. The final stage, often embraced later in life, is about spiritual liberation. Rather than fading into the background, older people are seen as stepping into a sacred role. 

Judaism: Elders as Memory-Keepers 

Judaism values history, continuity, and learning, and elders are central to all three. The Torah instructs: “You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old” (Leviticus 19:32). 

Older adults are often seen as wise elders who preserve communal memory and shape the moral fabric of Jewish life. Far from being pushed aside, ageing individuals are woven into the cultural and spiritual heart of the community. 

Christianity: Growing in Grace 

Christian scripture often associates age with wisdom. Proverbs 16:31 tells us: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” 

In many Christian traditions, older adults are valued as guides and mentors within the community. Their experiences, struggles, and resilience are seen as spiritual assets. Ageing is not always easy, but it can bring a deeper trust in God’s grace and a clearer sense of what truly matters. 

Islam: Honour and Responsibility 

In Islam, older people are accorded great respect. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, “He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect to our elders.” 

Caring for one’s ageing parents is considered a high virtue and spiritual duty. Elders are viewed as carriers of knowledge and lived faith, and it is common for decisions within families to be guided by the wisdom of older generations. 

Indigenous Wisdom Traditions 

In many Indigenous cultures, older people are revered as wisdom keepers. They pass on oral traditions, rituals, and stories that sustain cultural identity. Ageing is not a decline, but an ascent — a gradual climb toward elderhood, with all the responsibility and honour it brings. 

Elders are often central in spiritual life and decision-making. They are not retired from relevance but elevated into it. 

Modern Western Culture: A Work in Progress 

Western societies — particularly in Europe and North America — have often prioritised youth and productivity. Retirement is seen as a withdrawal from usefulness. Ageing is something to be resisted, masked, or managed. 

But this is changing. The rising interest in positive ageing, intergenerational connection, and purpose beyond retirement suggests a cultural shift is underway. Publications like TurningSixty are part of that shift — reimagining ageing not as a loss, but as an opening. 

Conclusion: Many Paths, One Journey 

Across cultures and faiths, one theme stands out: ageing is a process rich with meaning. Whether seen as a return to the self, a spiritual stage, or a community role, growing older offers more than just physical change. It offers perspective, wisdom, and a deepening of life’s purpose. 

In an age that often equates value with speed and youth, these global traditions remind us that some things ripen slowly and beautifully.