Sacred Dying

The author instructs readers in the art of dying, providing useful advice on how to create rituals around death that encourage sacredness and spirituality, while exploring difficult questions surrounding the act of dying and attendant care and offering thoughtful rituals and prayers to support the needs of the dying while comforting the living. Reprint.

A useful guide to being present and offering comfort to the dying and their families. Megory Anderson was called to a vigil at the bedside of a friend who was dying one night. That experience was so powerful that she began working with others who needed help attending to those who were dying. Today Anderson is the executive director of the Sacred Dying Foundation in San Francisco, and trains others in the art of "vigiling," a way of attending to the needs of the dying. This practical and concise handbook provides a brief overview of what to expect and how to respond to the needs of someone who is dying. Attending the Dying can be used by and for people of any faith perspective, as well as no particular faith. Chaplains, social workers, hospital-care workers, and friends or family of the dying will all find this a helpful companion for preparing themselves to be present to one of life's most sacred transitions.

Created by Megory Anderson, PhD, and The Sacred Dying Foundation

From One Of The Earliest Western Women To Find Amma, Comes This Long-Awaited Narrative Of Her Experience Of Spiritual Life With A God-Realized Soul. Mata Amritanandamayi, Called Amma, Or Mother, By Millions Around The World, Is The Renowned Indian Saint Whose Far-Reaching Charitable Works Alone Merit International Acclaim. Yet, It Is For Her Profound Spiritual Generosity That She Is Best Known As She Travels The World To Meet The Thousands Who Come To Receive Her Blessings In The Form Of A Maternal Embrace. Swamini Krishnamrita Prana Traveled To India From Australia While Just Out Of Her Teens On A Spiritual Quest That Soon Led Her To The Open Arms Of Her Mother. Here Is An Intimate Portrait, As Humorous As It Is Profound, Through The Eyes Of A Western Woman Who Has Served Amma From The Earliest Days To The Present. The Reader Gains Insight Through The Startling Clarity Of Amma’s Words And Responses In Unexpected Circumstances. As The Disciple Is Led And Transformed, So Too Will The Reader Benefit By The Daily Example Of A Divine Saint And The Radiant Love In Her Wise Instruction And Gracious Compassion. Published By The Disciples Of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Affectionately Known As Mother, Or Amma The Hugging Saint.

A chaplain and long-term survivor of AIDS demonstrates how acceptance of death through spiritual awareness can make life more fulfilling and provides poetry, prayer, and quotations for inspiration.

Working as an emergency room nurse, Margaret Coberly came in contact with death on a daily basis. However, it wasn't until her own brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer that she realized she understood very little about the emotional and spiritual aspects of caring for the terminally ill. To fill this gap she turned to the unique wisdom on death and dying found in Tibetan Buddhism. In this book Coberly offers sound, practical advice on meeting the essential needs of the dying, integrating stories from her long career in nursing with useful insights from the Tibetan Buddhist teachings. In the West, death is viewed as a tragic and horrible event. Coberly shows us how this view generates fear and denial, which harm the dying by adding unnecessary loneliness, confusion, and mental anguish to the dying process. Tibetan Buddhism focuses on the nature of death and how to face it with honesty, openness, and courage. In this view, death is not a failure, but a natural part of life that, if properly understood and appreciated, can offer the dying and their loved ones an opportunity to gain valuable insight and wisdom. Coberly argues that the Tibetan Buddhist outlook can be a useful antidote to the culture of fear and denial that surrounds death in the West and can help caregivers become more fully present, fearless, honest, and compassionate. Sacred Passage highlights two very practical teachings on death and dying from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and presents them in clear, nontechnical language. Readers learn about the "eight stages of dissolution leading to death," a detailed roadmap of the dying process that describes the sequence of physical, psychological, and spiritual changes that occur as we die. Coberly also presents the "death meditation," a contemplative exercise for developing a new relationship to death—and life. The book also includes a lengthy, annotated list of recommended readings for added guidance and inspiration. Topics include: • How the terminally ill can experience emotional and spiritual healing even when they can't be cured • Why Western medicine's relentless focus on curing disease has led to inadequate care for the dying • What to expect during the dying process • How our fear and denial of death harm the dying • Techniques to help caregivers promote a peaceful environment for the dying and their loved ones • How to meet the changing physical and emotional needs of the dying • Helpful advice on what to say and how to behave around the terminally ill

Sacred Living, Sacred Dying: A Guide to Embracing Life and Death is a step-by-step book filled with valuable questions, resources, suggestions, and information to help you create a legacy (a mini life story). This record (audio, visual, written, or typed) will become a treasured keepsake for friends, loved ones, and future generations. After creating a legacy you'll be guided to create a unique memorial, funeral, or celebration that represents your personality, wishes, desires, and life story. Your legacy and final celebration will show how you wish to celebrate your life with dignity and love, rather than mourning your death. It alleviates an emotional family burden by arranging all the details of your last celebration in advance. Sharon Lund also shares her incredible near-death experience that prompted her to write Sacred Living, Sacred Dying. Foreword by Stephen and Ondrea Levine. Endorsements by Bernie Siegel MD, Johan Borysenko PhD, Christian Richard Demlow DMin BCC, Dr. John F. Demartini, Ken Druck PhD, Jack E. Stephens J.D. LL.M.

"An inspiration. A valuable resource & learning tool. A moving, real account of one family's struggle toward death's transcendence through love."--National Cancer Foundation. In this deeply moving story, Sam Millen & his family confront the ultimate challenge. Mom is dying & no one, least of all Sam is prepared. As Sam, Lisa, Chad & Margaret try to uphold a veil of silence around Margaret's advancing disease, isolation & pain pervade their separate lives. Yet with the help of the author Barry Neil Kaufman's mentoring, guidance & friendship, Sam learns to accept & then embrace what is happening... ultimately teaching his entire family how to go beyond the pain & discover new insights, joy & even laughter. Written by Barry Kaufman, author of HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE & SON-RISE, & his wife Samahria Kaufman, A SACRED DYING provides inspiration to adolescents & adults confronting the death of a parent or loved one, & provides a model for anyone facing similar circumstances. A dramatic & heartwarming true tale. The Kaufmans founded & direct THE OPTION INSTITUTE in Sheffield, Massachusetts, an internationally renowned learning center for individuals, couples, groups & families. To order contact: Associated Publishers Group, 3356 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. (707) 542-5400.

For most people, the thought of dying or caring for a terminally ill friend or family member raises fears and questions as old as humanity: What is a “good death”? What appropriate preparations should be made? How do we best support our loved ones as life draws to its close? In this nondenominational handbook, Richard F. Groves and Henriette Anne Klauser provide comfort, direction, and hope to the dying and their caregivers through nine archetypal stories that illustrate the most common end-of-life concerns. Drawing from personal experiences, the authors offer invaluable guidance on easing emotional pain and navigating this difficult final passage. With a compelling new preface, this edition also features an overview of the hospice movement; a survey of Celtic, Tibetan, Egyptian, and other historic perspectives on the sacred art of dying; as well as various therapies, techniques, and rituals to alleviate suffering, stimulate reflection, and strengthen interpersonal bonds. The American Book of Living and Dying gives us courage to trust our deepest instincts, and reminds us that by telling the stories of those who have passed, we remember, honor, and continue to learn from them.