Honoring Elders: Recognition Rites for a New Vision of Aging

by May 6, 2026

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About the author

Tom Pinkson

Tom Pinkson

Tom Pinkson, PhD, is a transpersonal psychologist, ceremonial, retreat, rite of passage and vision quest leader, author, musician, sacred storyteller, keynote speaker and shamanic initiate. In addition to his Hospice and Center for Attitudinal Healing work, his books Do They Celebrate Christmas in Heaven: Spiritual Rite of Passage Teachings from Children with Life-threatening Illness and The Shamanic Wisdom of the Huichol: Medicine Teachings for Modern Times, have touched thousands throughout the world. For over half a century, Tom has traveled the globe studying indigenous shamanic wisdom ways, including work with Native American medicine men and women and completion of an 11-year apprenticeship with Guadalupe de la Cruz, a renowned Huichol mara’ akame (shaman), whose life was devoted to maintaining the ways passed down to her by her ancestors. Through the teachings Tom was given, his work is anchored around inspiring a New Vision of Living, one of sacred reciprocity anchored by ancient wisdom, integrated with modern learning and potential. With B.A., M.S. and Ph.D degrees, as well as studies from the Amazon to the Yukon, from Polynesia to South East Asia, throughout the United States and Europe, Tom’s work blends western psychology, contemporary and ancient wellness practices, brain science and quantum physics, to help people wake up and remember to live from the truth of who and what we are: that we are love and love is for giving. Tom lives in Santa Barbara, California with his wife of 54 years, Andrea, and near to his children and grandsons. You can learn more about Recognizing Rites for a New Vision of Aging Honoring Elders and Tom’s other work at his website: https://drtompinkson.com.
Tom Pinkson, PhD, is a transpersonal psychologist, ceremonial, retreat, rite of passage and vision quest leader, author, musician, sacred storyteller, keynote speaker and shamanic initiate. In addition to his Hospice and Center for Attitudinal Healing work, his books Do They Celebrate Christmas in Heaven: Spiritual Rite of Passage Teachings from Children with Life-threatening Illness and The Shamanic Wisdom of the Huichol: Medicine Teachings for Modern Times, have touched thousands throughout the world. For over half a century, Tom has traveled the globe studying indigenous shamanic wisdom ways, including work with Native American medicine men and women and completion of an 11-year apprenticeship with Guadalupe de la Cruz, a renowned Huichol mara’ akame (shaman), whose life was devoted to maintaining the ways passed down to her by her ancestors. Through the teachings Tom was given, his work is anchored around inspiring a New Vision of Living, one of sacred reciprocity anchored by ancient wisdom, integrated with modern learning and potential. With B.A., M.S. and Ph.D degrees, as well as studies from the Amazon to the Yukon, from Polynesia to South East Asia, throughout the United States and Europe, Tom’s work blends western psychology, contemporary and ancient wellness practices, brain science and quantum physics, to help people wake up and remember to live from the truth of who and what we are: that we are love and love is for giving. Tom lives in Santa Barbara, California with his wife of 54 years, Andrea, and near to his children and grandsons. You can learn more about Recognizing Rites for a New Vision of Aging Honoring Elders and Tom’s other work at his website: https://drtompinkson.com.
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