Conversation with Mahan Siler -- From Elder to Ancestor

Aging in our culture can be fraught - it’s both an honor and a challenge, a mix of letting go of previous versions of ourselves and thinking deeply about our legacy and what endures after we are gone. 

Minister, teacher, and wisdom-keeper Mahan Siler guides an exploration of the sacred passage from elderhood to ancestor—a transition marked not by biological milestones, but by the integration of our life stories, contributions, and teachings. Together, we’ll look at the qualities that distinguish an elder from an ancestor, the responsibilities each season invites, and the ways we can prepare ourselves—regardless of age—to become sources of guidance for those who follow. This session invites quiet reflection, shared wisdom, and gentle re-imagining of legacy.

We’re excited to launch the William Black Lodge Conversation Series—a series of intimate gatherings bringing together multi-faceted perspectives for thoughtful exploration and reflection on themes of transformation and renewal, both personal and collective.

The inaugural series taking place in January 2026 explores the theme of Thresholds.

Each evening will take place in one of the Lodge’s warm, welcoming spaces and will begin with a brief 10–15 minute exchange between our featured guest and a conversation host. From there, the conversation with the featured guest, supported by the host, expands into a shared opportunity for participants to reflect and contribute. These informal, 90-minute evenings open up space for curiosity, openness, and meaningful conversation grounded in lived experience and shared inquiry.

Schedule:

• January 12, 2026 — Gareth Higgins: The Forgotten Threshold – Rites of Passage
• January 13, 2026 — Mahan Siler: From Elder to Ancestor
• January 19, 2026 — Jean Sutton: Honoring Thresholds with Ritual
• January 20, 2026 – Rick Eigenbrod: Crossing Unexpected Thresholds

Also check out other Contests in Montreat.