Human life is not a random set of events but a complex and harmonious process governed by an internal rhythm. Within each of us lies a unique pattern that determines the development of the body, mind, and spirit. One of the key concepts reflecting this rhythm is the idea of seven-year cycles.
Psychologists claim that every seven years, a person undergoes a renewal crisis—physical, mental, and emotional. During this period, the body's cells are entirely renewed, as if reborn. Essentially, over the average lifespan of seventy years, the human body "dies" and is reborn ten times. This is reminiscent of the change of seasons: every ending is invariably followed by a new beginning.
These seven-year periods create a unique life cycle that can be imagined as ten stages. Each carries its own meaning and tasks. This perspective on life is much deeper and more precise than the conventional division into childhood, youth, and old age, as each new seven-year period marks a completely new age and opens a new stage of development.
Understanding these cycles allows not only an awareness of the patterns of one's life but also living it more consciously, accepting changes as a natural part of the journey.
The First Cycle (0–7 years)
The first seven years of life are a unique period when a child is the center of their own world. Their perception is such that everything happening around them seems to exist solely for their pleasure. The sun rises, the moon ascends, and the seasons change all for their delight. This age forms the fundamental basis of personality and worldview.
The child at this age lives like an emperor, surrounded by attention and care. Their needs are immediately met: the family revolves around them as if they are the axis of the universe. Any delay in satisfying their desires causes an emotional storm—rage, anger, irritation. This egocentrism is a natural part of this stage, necessary for forming a sense of self-importance and security.
From a psychological perspective, the child in the first seven years is fully content with themselves. They do not require external validation of their worth; they perceive themselves as a whole and complete individual. This inner sense of satisfaction and centeredness creates the foundation for further growth and development.
These years are the time for forming basic needs and beliefs. If the child is surrounded by love, attention, and support, they grow up with a sense of security and confidence in the world. This period is also crucial for developing emotional resilience, as it is during this age that the child learns to understand and respond to their emotions.
Understanding the characteristics of the first cycle helps parents and educators create conditions in which the child can develop harmoniously, retaining an inner sense of completeness while opening up to the world with trust and joy.
The Second Cycle (7–14 years)
Seven years is a milestone after which a child's life enters a new phase. If in the early years they were entirely self-centered, now a powerful shift occurs—the child becomes eccentric, "moving out of the center." Other people, society, and the surrounding world begin to play a key role.
During this period, the child seeks interaction. They are drawn to friends, groups, and collective games. Exploring the external world becomes their main adventure. For the first time, they realize that other people have their own thoughts, feelings, and desires.
This age stage is accompanied by incredible curiosity. The child becomes a great questioner, questioning everything around them. Their questions are diverse: "Why are trees green?", "How is the world structured?", "What’s inside a toy?" Any phenomenon sparks their desire to get to the core of it. This period often becomes a challenge for parents, as endless questions demand attention and patience.
The child begins to experiment and literally explore the world: they may take apart a clock to understand what makes it tick or break a toy to see how it’s built. Their interest in others is investigative but limited to peers of the same gender. Boys are interested in boys, and girls in girls. Interest in the opposite sex remains outside their focus, which psychologists refer to as the stage of homosexual development.
During this period, the first philosophical reflections, skepticism, and a desire to understand the world’s structure take shape. It is now that the foundation for future social and intellectual skills is laid. The role of adults at this stage is to support the child’s curiosity, helping them find answers and channeling their energy into constructive exploration. This is a time of discovery, forming friendships, and the first attempts to understand who the "other" is.
The Third Cycle (14–21 years)
After the age of fourteen, a new stage of life begins, which can be compared to opening the third door. It is a time of significant changes when a young man or woman steps beyond their previous world, reaching out to the true other—the opposite sex.
Until this age, deep friendships primarily formed with peers of the same gender, but now attention shifts to romantic and sexual interests. Boys begin to take an interest in girls, and girls in boys. This is not just a shift in interests but a true revolution: the young person starts seeing in others something entirely different from themselves, awakening to the perception of the opposite.
This period brings a storm of emotions. Sexuality becomes mature, and romance, dreams, and fantasies take an important place in life. Poetry, first crushes, and romantic relationships emerge. This is a time of discoveries when the young person first truly enters the realm of adult emotional life.
But changes do not only occur in the realm of love. By the age of twenty-one, interests begin to shift. If everything develops naturally, ambitions take center stage. The young person strives for success, dreams of recognition, power, and achieving material well-being. The desire to be the best, reach career heights, gain authority, and secure a prestigious place in society becomes the main driving force.
This cycle is not only about discovering the opposite sex but also about immersing in the world of human society, with its competition, aspirations for leadership, and market laws. The young person steps onto the "market square," where money, status, and power begin to shape their views and goals.
The third cycle is a period of rapid growth and the formation of an adult personality. It brings many challenges, opportunities, and discoveries that lay the foundation for future life. It is important for this stage to proceed without excessive pressure or forced intervention, allowing the young person to find their place in the world and understand their true aspirations.
The Fourth Cycle (21–28 years)
The period from 21 to 28 years is a time of active exploration, bold decisions, and immersion in a world of adventures. Young people strive for freedom, ambitions, and a vibrant life. This stage is marked by bubbling energy and the belief that desires are attainable.
However, by the age of 28, a new milestone is reached. This age brings the realization that not all desires can be fulfilled, and not all goals lead to the expected happiness. The wild chase for adventures gives way to a more mature outlook on life. People begin to think about stability, security, and comfort.
The fourth cycle marks the transition from youthful maximalism to a more conscious approach. Hippies turn into homeowners, revolutionaries lose their passion for change, and eternal wanderers begin to seek a permanent place. The need for freedom yields to the desire for coziness and security.
This life stage is often associated with settling down and building a material foundation. People start showing interest in purchasing homes, saving for the future, and obtaining insurance. They aim to establish a space that will become their reliable support.
By the age of 28, the thirst for travel and adventure decreases, replaced by a desire to settle down. Dreams of Kathmandu or Goa are replaced by the wish for comfort and relaxation in a cozy home. This is a time when individuals become part of society, accepting its rules and established orders.
The fourth cycle is a stage of transition from seeking to acquiring. It symbolizes the beginning of stability, where the focus shifts from chasing external goals to creating a solid foundation for future life.
The Fifth Cycle (28–35 years)
The period from 28 to 35 years is when life energy reaches its peak, and individuals realize that half of their life's circle is complete. Gradually, energy begins to decline, which fundamentally changes priorities and perspectives on life.
At this stage, security and comfort become key values. People seek stability, striving to create and preserve their world. This period signifies a shift toward more traditional views and lifestyles. Previous ideas of change, rebellion, and revolutions give way to respect for established orders, laws, and discipline.
One of the main tasks of this period is achieving harmony through connection with the opposite sex. Interactions with a partner become an important experience, helping to understand the profound nature of opposites. Conflict and harmony, joy and pain—all become part of the learning necessary for a mature perception of life.
By the age of 35, individuals become part of the traditional world. Their worldview solidifies, and they begin drawing inspiration from eternal truths, turning to religious and philosophical traditions—the Vedas, Quran, or Bible. The desire for change disappears because any disruption of the familiar order may threaten what has already been built.
This period is marked by the realization of one's role in society and acceptance of responsibility for upholding its foundations. People respect legal and social institutions, supporting laws and discipline, becoming part of a system that ensures stability.
The fifth cycle is a time of maturity and stability, where individuals transition from active searching to solidifying their place in life. This crucial stage allows the appreciation of traditions, relationships, and harmony with oneself and the surrounding world.
The Sixth Cycle (35–42 years)
The period from 35 to 42 years is a time when life energy begins to slowly decline, marking a new stage of existence. While energy increased in youth, enabling individuals to reach new heights, it now moves in the opposite direction—towards gradual diminishment. This decline becomes noticeable both physically and mentally.
By the age of 42, the body encounters several changes. If habits formed in youth persist, they start to cause harm. For instance, the same amounts of food that were essential for an active life now become excessive, leading to weight gain and various health issues—high blood pressure, heart problems, insomnia, and digestive issues. Physical changes, such as graying hair, hair loss, and reduced endurance, become apparent.
Yet, this period is not only about losses. It is during this age that a significant inner breakthrough occurs. For the first time in life, individuals begin to think deeply about spirituality and religion. Previously, religion might have been just a superficial interest or formality, but now it gains new significance. As the awareness of mortality approaches, questions arise: "What’s next? How can I achieve something greater than this life?"
The sixth cycle awakens in individuals a quest for meaning. For the first time, serious reflections on other dimensions of existence, nirvana, enlightenment, and eternal life emerge.
This cycle represents a confrontation with one's finitude and an opportunity to rethink life. It is now that individuals discover that despite physical decline, the soul can begin its journey toward immortality. Religion becomes a bridge between earthly life and the great unknown.
The sixth cycle opens the possibility of transcending time, touching eternity, and realizing the profound unity of life. It is a period of reevaluating values, seeking meaning, and engaging in an open dialogue with the infinite.
The Seventh Cycle (42–49 years)
The period from 42 to 49 years is a time of profound transition, marking the completion of one life cycle and the beginning of another. By the age of 49, the search for the meaning of life becomes clearer, and aspirations take on decisiveness and specificity. This is a stage where external interests begin to give way to internal ones. If the life path has unfolded harmoniously, at this age, men naturally lose interest in women, and women in men. Menopause and reduced sexual desire are seen not as losses but as the natural completion of a stage.
This process can be compared to adolescence but in reverse. Just as sexuality awakens at 14, by 49, it naturally diminishes. This is not a crisis but the end of a cycle, opening the door to new levels of awareness and perception.
In traditional Indian culture, this age is associated with the concept of vanaprastha—the transition from public life to a life in harmony with oneself. Symbolically, this means turning away from the marketplace—a place of ambitions, desires, and hustle—and looking toward the forest, where the journey of solitude and self-discovery begins. The forest here is not only a physical space but also a metaphor for the inner world.
A person becomes increasingly introverted. External goals—wealth, success, social status—lose their significance. Meditation, prayer, and reflections on the meaning of life come to the forefront. At this age, a deep need emerges to be oneself, to shed social masks, and to return to one's true nature.
The seventh cycle is not an end but the beginning of a new stage filled with inner silence and wisdom. This is a time when life becomes a meditation, and a person draws closer to themselves, opening doors to true peace and inner light.
The Eighth Cycle (49–56 years)
The period from 49 to 56 years is a time of profound transformation, marked by the realization of life's finiteness and the need to prepare for its conclusion. By 56, a new revolution of consciousness begins. If earlier, a person merely turned away from the world's hustle and looked toward the forest, now they must take a step forward into a symbolic journey—not only physical but also internal.
At this age, interest in not just sex but also society, social formalities, and rituals naturally fades. Clubs, gatherings, idle conversations—all begin to seem meaningless and even childish. The maturity reached by 56 demands breaking free from conventions. A person realizes that the "play" of social roles was an important part of life but is now outdated.
This stage is a time of gratitude for the journey traveled and detachment from external attachments. A person reflects: "I have lived, learned, loved, struggled, and achieved. Now it is time to leave it all behind and move forward."
By 56, it becomes natural to embrace sannyasa—the path of renunciation. This is not a forced rejection but a harmonious and conscious liberation from social roles, ambitions, and the need to be "someone." Sannyasa is an exit that brings freedom. Without it, life becomes a heavy burden, with attachments suffocating and holding one in agony.
At this age, a person stops seeking meaning in the external and turns inward. What matters now is not others, society, or status but peace, clarity, and inner silence. Sannyasa becomes a bridge between worldly life and preparation for crossing its boundaries. This is not a retreat into sadness or emptiness but a step toward true maturity, profound wisdom, and an awareness of one's connection to eternity.
A religious person understands that liberation is possible here and now. Eternity is not an infinite stretch of time but a moment available at every instant. True religion occurs in this timeless "now," in the realization of the present moment as the only reality.
The Ninth Cycle (56–63 years)
The period from 56 to 63 years is a time of returning to oneself. By 63, a person reaches a state similar to childhood but enriched with wisdom and experience. This is the age when the external world loses its significance, and inner reality becomes paramount. This is meditation—immersion within, as if the external world disappears, leaving only pure consciousness in which you alone exist.
This cycle is a time of attaining inner innocence. All roles have been played, ambitions exhausted, attachments dissolved. Now, you become yourself—authentic, unadulterated, free from external definitions. Life brings you to an important moment: preparation for death. But this preparation is not with sadness or fear but with joy and awareness. To die prepared means to embrace death as a long-awaited return home, to the source from which everything began.
Sixty-three years is the age of profound silence and complete focus. The energy that once flowed outward now turns entirely inward. You become a closed circle of energy that does not dissipate but gathers within, nourishing your inner being. This is a time of silence, wisdom, and farewell to all that is external.
Everything that has been lived becomes valuable baggage for the soul. All mistakes, successes, sufferings, and joys are what have made you rich and ready to face the end of this journey with gratitude. Like a traveler returning home after long wanderings, you can say: "I have lived. I have learned. Now I am ready to rest."
The ninth cycle is a return to your inner kingdom, where nothing superfluous remains. Here, there is only you and peace.
The Tenth Cycle (63–70 years)
The period from 63 to 70 years is a time of deep acceptance and preparation for the great transition. If all previous cycles have been lived consciously, this stage becomes the final act of harmony between life and death. It feels as if you are returning to the beginning, becoming a child again but now with accumulated life experience, wisdom, and inner light.
During this period, a person realizes that everything they have experienced—joys and sorrows, victories and defeats—was valuable. Every moment of life was a lesson, every event a step on the path to maturity.
Inner Altar
By the age of seventy, if you have followed the natural rhythm, a profound realization comes: death is near. Just as a child spends nine months in the mother’s womb preparing for birth, so too does a person, nine months before their death, begin to sense its approach. But now, the womb is not external but internal. It is an altar within you, where your eternal light burns, where the temple of your soul has always resided.
In Sanskrit, this inner altar is called garbha, which means womb or matrix. It is the place where one connects with the divine, with the source from which everything began. Now, your body becomes the womb for your soul. You enter this sacred space to complete your journey with gratitude and awareness.
These final years are a time of deep meditation, contemplation, and meeting yourself. Now you exist in complete silence, allowing life to flow in its natural rhythm. In this state, there is no fear or regret, because you understand: death is not an end but a new stage of being. Like a river merging with the ocean, you are ready to become part of the great whole.
Gratitude and Acceptance
A person who has reached the age of seventy looks upon their life with gratitude. They understand that everything—the good and the bad—has played its role. Even mistakes and hardships have been part of their growth. They are thankful to friends and enemies, to fortune and misfortune, to abundance and deprivation. Every moment of life, every encounter, has enriched them.
This attitude towards life makes a person truly free. There is no place for complaints, regrets, or blame. Instead, there is only acceptance and love for everything that has been.
Death – A Flower on the Tree of Life
For a conscious person, death is the greatest culmination of their existence. It is the moment when life blossoms in its highest form. It becomes the pinnacle that the person has climbed towards throughout their life. Death is not an enemy but a friend that helps complete the circle that began with birth.
Death arrives as a flowering, as the final act of the dance of life. And if one has lived their life in meditation, love, and awareness, they leave with a smile and joy, ready to embrace the unknown. This moment becomes a true celebration, a farewell to the body, and a return home.
The Natural Flow of Life
This process requires no plans or effort. Everything happens naturally, as it has throughout life. The next moment arrives when you allow it to come. Just as a child grows and matures, just as a river flows towards the ocean, you move towards your goal—merging with eternity.
The tenth cycle is the time when life completes its circle, and you merge with the infinite ocean of being.