Wisdom and Wonder
A Monthly Community Conversation for Wisdom Seekers and Wonderers
Launch Online Gathering
Sunday, July 19, 2026
9:00 AM PDT | 12:00 PM EDT
Hosted by Alane Freund
“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward.”
— Søren Kierkegaard
Join our launch event on July 19, 2026, at 9:00am PDT, Noon EDT. Our first topic will be Pema Chodron’s work on aging, especially her quote: Pulling Away from What Is Hard Always Makes It Worse (Read more about Hope from Ani Pema below.) As our event approaches, we will send you resources to explore the topic, including new videos from Pema Chodron about aging and wisdom.
There comes a time in life when the questions become more important than the answers.
How do we age with grace, courage, and curiosity?
How do we navigate loss, change, purpose, relationships, creativity, spirituality, and the many transitions that accompany a life fully lived?
How do we make meaning of our experiences while continuing to grow into the people we are becoming?
Wisdom & Wonder is a monthly gathering for thoughtful, reflective people who want to explore these questions in community.
For more than 35 years, Alane Freund has worked as a therapist, coach, teacher, and guide. Yet she often says:
“I am here as a leader and guide, but also a wisdom seeker and one who wonders deeply.”
This is not a lecture or a class.
It is a conversation.
Each gathering begins with a guiding concept, reading, teaching, or piece of wisdom and then unfolds through the questions, insights, stories, and wonderings of those who are present.
Together we create a space where experience is honored, curiosity is welcomed, and wisdom emerges through connection.
Our Launch Event: Aging, Wisdom, and Meeting Life as It Is
For our first gathering, we will explore the wisdom of Pema Chödrön, particularly her teaching:
“Pulling away from what is hard always makes it worse.”
As our gathering approaches, participants will receive optional resources, including videos and readings from Pema Chödrön on aging, wisdom, and living with uncertainty.
We will reflect together on questions such as:
- What changes as we age?
- What becomes more important?
- What do we gain as the years unfold?
- How do we meet fear, loss, and uncertainty with greater wisdom?
- What does it mean to live fully in the reality of our lives?
You do not need to prepare anything. Simply come with an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to wonder.
What We Wonder About
In previous conversations, wisdom seekers have explored topics such as:
- Friendship and connection
- Loneliness and belonging
- Grief and loss
- Adult children and changing family roles
- Dating, partnering, and divorcing
- Creativity and purpose
- Spirituality and meditation
- Mindful living
- Aging and changing bodies
- Death and mortality
- Life transitions and reinvention
Bring your own questions, stories, experiences, and insights.
Your wisdom matters here.