Spiritual Testament of Polish Centenarians Addressed to Future Generations

Abstract

The paper presents reflections of Polish centenarians about fundamental principles and values they would like to pass on to future generations. The research was conducted as a collective case study (Stake, 2009) with an in-depth interview (IDI) The study covered 18 cases of individuals aged 100-107. The most important message for future generations can be summed up as an encouragement to preserve basic values and a sense of moral responsibility for social inequalities in the world. In this intergenerational message, warnings about the future are very important: with war memories still in mind, centenarians oblige younger generations to live as history commands. Not everyone will build a home that will serve next generations. Not everyone will write a book... But each of us can pass on to another person what is the most human and divine... Each of us can leave a testament of noble patterns, ideas and values, that make people happier. Antoni Bochniarz (Polish psychotherapist)