Being with Dying

Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death

By: Joan Halifax, Ira Byock MD - foreword

Narrated by: Claire Slemmer

The Buddhist approach to death can be of great benefit to people of all backgrounds - as has been demonstrated time and again in Joan Halifax's decades of work with the dying and their caregivers. Inspired by traditional Buddhist teachings, her work 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. Her teachings affirm that we can open and contact our inner strength, and that we can help others who are suffering to do the same.

©2008 Joan Halifax (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

deathwork to improve life

Excellent book to understand life as well as death. Buddhist perspective but not too esoteric. Inspiring quotes and comforting guidance to help at the bedside of a dying loved one.

Acceptable

An arduous journey through dealing with dying. A great spiritual look at the preparation both mentally and emotionally processing grief and accepting death as part of life.

A critical tool for the death experience

I recently listened and used this book in a loved one’s death and it was invaluable. Read this for both your growth as an individual and for the challenge of caring for a dying individual. Highly recommend.

Powerful and accessible.

There isn’t a more important topic than how we engage with our deaths, thus how we live our lives. She has written a beautiful and more importantly, useful book on how to be with ourselves and others as we recognize our future or imminent mortality.

Important work

A much needed message about the importance of preparing for death, ours, loved ones, and others. Reclaiming our power from the outdated death system so as to ready ourselves for this inevitable transition with dignity and grace. I truly believe that the more mindfully we prepare for death the better our lives become since we are now free.Beautifully written and narrated.

Transformative

I may not know how long I have but I know that I have rediscovered life through this book.

Being with Dying

Not a story per say, but many accounts of the author's experiences with the terminally ill. An excellent sharing of what it is truly like at the end of one's life and actually beyond that. This is an important book as we all must face or even be excited about what lies beyond this existence. This book covers what comes next for us, not at all frightening but actually comforting and very informative. Everyone should include this book in the must read category.

Okay

I'm not a Buddhist, but I appreciate some of their philosophy and practice. I found this book too detached and abstract, however, which is also the side of Buddhism with which I do not resonate.

Loved it!

This one of my 2 favorite books. I am rereading it after only a month. I don't usually enjoy reading a book twice, but plan to read this book frequently.

Tender and honest perspective

I'm caring for a loved one with a terminal illness and turned to this book for help. I am well acquainted with Buddhist thought, but you do not have to be to reap the benefits of this book. I have been comforted, validated, and informed. Mostly I realize how little any of us knows about death and I can accept that in peace. I also realize that sometimes when I feel I should be doing more, simply bearing witness is all there is to do. May this book bring comfort to others.