
Being with Dying
Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death
Shambhala Publications Inc (Publisher)
Published on 9. July 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-1-64547-287-2 (ISBN)
Description
Inspiring teachings, personal stories, and meditations for those near death and their caregivers, by a respected Zen teacher who has worked with the dying for over 30 years.
Everyone who lives must inevitably face death. Inspired by traditional Buddhist teachings and decades of work with the dying and their caregivers, this landmark work on death and dying by beloved Buddhist teacher Joan Halifax is a source of wisdom for all those who are charged with a dying person’s care, facing their own death, or wishing to explore and contemplate the transformative power of the dying process. Relevant and powerful for people of all backgrounds, her teachings affirm that all of us can open and contact our inner strength even in the face of death, and that we can help others who are suffering to do the same.
Halifax observes that millions will have to deal with the loss of parents and loved ones and that we are largely unprepared emotionally for their deaths. She presents the notion that the process of dying is a rite of passage. Halifax offers stories from her personal experience as well as guided exercises and contemplations to help readers contemplate death without fear, develop a commitment to helping others, and transform suffering and resistance into courage. Topics and exercises include:
Everyone who lives must inevitably face death. Inspired by traditional Buddhist teachings and decades of work with the dying and their caregivers, this landmark work on death and dying by beloved Buddhist teacher Joan Halifax is a source of wisdom for all those who are charged with a dying person’s care, facing their own death, or wishing to explore and contemplate the transformative power of the dying process. Relevant and powerful for people of all backgrounds, her teachings affirm that all of us can open and contact our inner strength even in the face of death, and that we can help others who are suffering to do the same.
Halifax observes that millions will have to deal with the loss of parents and loved ones and that we are largely unprepared emotionally for their deaths. She presents the notion that the process of dying is a rite of passage. Halifax offers stories from her personal experience as well as guided exercises and contemplations to help readers contemplate death without fear, develop a commitment to helping others, and transform suffering and resistance into courage. Topics and exercises include:
- Learning to see death as a rite of passage
- The guiding principles of bearing witness and how self-awareness can help us to relate more fully with others
- How to take care of ourselves when we’re taking care of others
- Contemplation on the universality of death
- How to transform pain and fear with lovingkindness
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Boston
United States
Dimensions
Height: 226 mm
Width: 149 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
362 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-64547-287-2 (9781645472872)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
11/2009
Shambhala
€19.49
Available for download
Persons
Joan Halifax