Wisdom Seekers
Dedicated to Conscious Living & Aging
Flagstaff & Sun Lakes, Arizona
Book Group • Workshops • Community
About Wisdom Seekers
"Elderhood is a time to discover inner richness for self-development and spiritual growth."
(From Age-ing to Sage-ing, Schachter-Shalomi)
Wisdom Seekers are ...
A Conscious Community for Aging Well
Wisdom Seekers is a community dedicated to living and aging consciously.
Together, we explore what it means to move beyond simply growing older and into becoming wise, honored, and respected elders.
What We Explore
- How to shift from the identity of “elderly” to the role of a wise elder
- Practices and tools that support inner growth and self-reflection
- The value of learning alongside like-minded individuals
Why It Matters
Becoming a wise elder is a process best practiced over time.
With support, intention, and shared wisdom, this journey becomes more meaningful and deeply rewarding.
A New Vision of Aging
By shifting the vision of aging from one of loss and diminishment to one of meaning and purpose, Wisdom Seekers helps members make peace with the past, release fear of the future, and live more fully in the present.
History of Wisdom Seekers
Barbara began her sage-ing journey in 2001 in a Spirituality & Aging class. She read From Age-ing to Sage-ing by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi — a book that profoundly changed the direction of her life. She went on to train at the Spiritual Eldering Institute and became a Certified Seminar Leader.
In 2002, Barbara started offering Conscious Aging workshops through Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Lifelong Learning program in the Sun Lakes area. A dedicated group emerged that wanted to keep exploring these ideas — that community is still thriving today under the leadership of Ellen Engel.
In 2010, Barbara founded a second Wisdom Seekers group in Flagstaff. Both the Flagstaff and Sun Lakes circles continue to flourish.
Wisdom Seekers book groups explore mindfulness, inner wisdom, gratitude, mortality, forgiveness, and teachings from many spiritual traditions. Books are chosen collectively, read aloud together, and discussed with open hearts. There is no charge, and people of all ages are warmly welcome. Many members also enjoy socializing together after the meetings.
In 2002, Barbara started offering Conscious Aging workshops through Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Lifelong Learning program in the Sun Lakes area. A dedicated group emerged that wanted to keep exploring these ideas — that community is still thriving today under the leadership of Ellen Engel.
In 2010, Barbara founded a second Wisdom Seekers group in Flagstaff. Both the Flagstaff and Sun Lakes circles continue to flourish.
Wisdom Seekers book groups explore mindfulness, inner wisdom, gratitude, mortality, forgiveness, and teachings from many spiritual traditions. Books are chosen collectively, read aloud together, and discussed with open hearts. There is no charge, and people of all ages are warmly welcome. Many members also enjoy socializing together after the meetings.
Barbara Shovers
Co-founder & Facilitator
Barbara Shovers, M.A., is a gerontologist, life coach, and community college instructor. She is a Certified Seminar Leader for Sage-ing International and has presented workshops on Conscious Aging since 2002. She currently teaches classes on Conscious Aging and Writing Your Story at Coconino Community College. Barbara facilitates a Wisdom Seekers group in Flagstaff, AZ, and initiated groups in Mesa and Sun Lakes, AZ.
Email Phone: 480.612.2461
Wisdom Seekers AffirmationTM
© 2004 Ellen Engel
Read the Wisdom Seekers Affirmation
Wisdom Seekers are people who are curious about the world and who have a desire to learn and grow emotionally and spiritually. We live with a passion for truth and devote the necessary energy to reflect on what it means to be wise. We have made the decision to embark on the journey of a lifetime to discover the lessons we must learn to become wise elders instead of elderly. We live in the present instead of the past with regrets of the future with anxiety.
We study about inner wisdom, living and aging consciously, forgiveness, love, gratitude, morality, intuition, the various philosophies of the world and many other subjects with an eye toward integrating these qualities and ideas into our lives. As we transition into this new way of thinking about life, we find that we are becoming better members of our families, communities and the world.
We are living longer, but for what purpose? Wisdom Seekers search to find our purpose for living in this third phase of life. Instead of the present model for aging that is focused on the physical diminishment of our bodies and minds, we seek to become vital and active members of society and to bring our wisdom to a nation and world that sorely need a new more positive view of the future.
Our world faces many challenges and, we as wise elders, can be an example of how to make a difference in the world, one person at at time.
Book Groups
Book Groups
Join a welcoming community where books are read aloud, wisdom is shared, and meaningful conversation unfolds at a gentle pace. Both groups are open to all ages, free of charge, and available in person or by Zoom.
Flagstaff Book Group
When: 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays • 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Where: Joe C. Montoya Center
245 N. Thorpe Rd + Zoom
Currently Reading & Discussing
7 Lessons for Living from the Dying
by Karen Wyatt
by Karen Wyatt
Sun Lakes Book Group
When: Mondays • 10:00 – 11:15 a.m.
Where: Cottonwood Clubhouse
25630 Brentwood Dr, Sun Lakes + Zoom
Books We Have Read
Currently Reading & Discussing
7 Lessons for Living from the Dying
by Karen Wyatt
7 Lessons for Living from the Dying
by Karen Wyatt
Previous Selections
| Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Being Mortal | Atul Gawande |
| Daring Greatly | Brené Brown |
| Dear Human | Kay Eck |
| Frequency | Penney Peirce |
| Journey from Ego to Soul | Karen Wyatt |
| Learning to Fall | Phillip Simmons |
| My Stroke of Insight | Jill Bolte Taylor |
| Peace is Every Step | Thich Nhat Hanh |
| Proof of Heaven | Eben Alexander |
| Seat of the Soul | Gary Zukav |
| Taking the Leap | Pema Chödrön |
| The Intuitive Way | Penney Peirce |
| The New Earth | Eckhart Tolle |
| The Serviceberry | Robin Wall Kimmerer |
| The Surrender Experiment | Michael Singer |
| The Untethered Soul | Michael Singer |
| The Zen Commandments | Dean Sluyter |
| Welcoming the Unwelcome | Pema Chödrön |
Books are chosen collectively and read aloud together during meetings.
Community Education
Elders share wisdom, empowering growth for curious minds
Community Engagement
Wisdom Seekers sponsors a Spelling Bee team at The Literacy Center's annual fundraiser, which took place at the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff on April 18, 2026.
Testimonials
Wisdom Seekers has been creating community in Flagstaff since 2010
Lynn Hartman 2025
I’ve only been attending for a couple of years and I thoroughly enjoy every gathering and look forward to seeing the special people who attend. My favorite aspect of this group is the way we create an open, compassionate space where everyone raises thoughtful questions and each one of us is able to share our experiences and ideas. Hearing different perspectives as we discuss the various concepts presented in the books we read really provides a unique and creative learning environment. I am so thankful to have found my people.
Renee Renz 2026
About ten years ago, I was at a local meditation group when I mentioned a book by Michael Singer during the sharing circle. Another woman lit up and said, “We’re reading that exact book in our Wisdom Seekers group!” She told me how they read aloud together and then discuss. I decided to try it… and I’ve been coming ever since.
I’m continually amazed by the depth of sharing, the genuine support, and the loving community that has grown in this group. Wisdom Seekers has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life.
Wisdom Seekers is:
Definitions created by the Flagstaff Wisdom Seekers group on October 18th, 2022
- A group of longtime members and new ones too that form a friendship (lasting for many) and sharing discussion and opinions about meaningful spirituality thru books and discussion.
- Making wise choices
- To let everyone have their own opinion
- The ability to be accountable for making the best choices at the time and learning from errors in those choices for future decisions.
- Insight and deep understanding of life
- What I have learned from my life experiences that make my decisions more conscious and clear
- Awareness and knowing that we don't know everything
- Gathered from life experience and education
- Curiosity and a willingness to be open and to learn
- Knowledge of facts mixed with compassion
- The ability to understand life challenges and blessings
- Innate knowledge, a knowing from within and a special "link" to the universal intelligence
- Clarity, release of expectations, ability to see many sides of an issue, depth of experience
- Discernment
- The ability to let go
- An excellent bullshit meter
- Learning from experience
- Cosmic Laughter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cost to attend?
No. Wisdom Seekers is completely free and always will be.
Do I need to read the book before the meeting?
Not at all. We read the book together out loud during the meeting. You are welcome to come even if you haven’t read a single page.
Who is welcome to attend?
Everyone! All ages and backgrounds are warmly welcome. No prior experience with spiritual or personal growth topics is needed.
Are the meetings in-person or on Zoom?
Both groups are hybrid. You can attend in person at the locations listed or join comfortably from home via Zoom.
How do I get meeting reminders?
Email Barbara at Barbara@WisdomSeekersAZ.org and ask to be added to the email list.
What if I can only attend occasionally?
Come whenever you can. There is no commitment required — just show up when you’re able.
Do you have two separate groups?
Yes. One meets in Flagstaff and one in Sun Lakes. Both follow the same gentle, conscious-aging spirit.
Webpage lovingly crafted and hosted by
Renee Renz
