Finding Meaning

The Sixth Stage of Grief

By: David Kessler

Narrated by: David Kessler

In this groundbreaking and “poignant” (Los Angeles Times) book, David Kessler — praised for his work by Maria Shriver, Marianne Williamson, and Mother Teresa — journeys beyond the classic five stages to discover a sixth stage: meaning.

In 1969, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross first identified the stages of dying in her transformative book On Death and Dying. Decades later, she and David Kessler wrote the classic On Grief and Grieving, introducing the stages of grief with the same transformative pragmatism and compassion. Now, based on hard-earned personal experiences, as well as knowledge and wisdom gained through decades of work with the grieving, Kessler introduces a critical sixth stage: meaning.

Kessler’s insight is both professional and intensely personal. His journey with grief began when, as a child, he witnessed a mass shooting at the same time his mother was dying. For most of his life, Kessler taught physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about end of life, trauma, and grief, as well as leading talks and retreats for those experiencing grief. Despite his knowledge, his life was upended by the sudden death of his 21-year-old son.

How does the grief expert handle such a tragic loss? He knew he had to find a way through this unexpected, devastating loss, a way that would honor his son. That, ultimately, was the sixth stage of grief - meaning. In Finding Meaning, Kessler shares the insights, collective wisdom, and powerful tools that will help those experiencing loss.

“Beautiful, tender, and wise” (Katy Butler, author of The Art of Dying Well), Finding Meaning is “an excellent addition to grief literature that helps pave the way for steps toward healing” (School Library Journal).

©2019 David Kessler (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Helpful in Healing

This might not be as helpful in early grief, but a little over a year after my tragic loss, it provided me with a lot of needed and helpful perspective. I realized that there are many ways to make meaning from loss--some of which I'm already doing, and more I can aspire to when I'm ready.

An absolute must for anyone who is grieving

It’s 3am. I stayed up to finish this book. It’s part memoir with something holding your hand through Grief. It’s like… all the things you want your best friend to tell you when you’ve lost someone. Especially if it’s your best friend who died. I’m sure I will listen to it over and over. My husband died 8 weeks ago. Since read or listen to anything and everything on the afterlife, grief & healing. This book is amazing. If you are ready to start healing. I recommend his book on the stages of grief with Kobler-Ross first. I will be forever grateful for finding this book and David’s words. It’s helping me heal.

100% recommend

One of the top books I've read on grief, and mostly, what comes after it!

Amazing!

This book helped me have a more hopeful outlook on the rest of my life after Davids death. Thank you🤍

Powerful and inspirational

Compassionate with practical real life examples. David Kessler reads/vocalizes the Audible version. Certainly recommended.

Encouraging and Helped me

I am a little over 16 months grieving the death of my husband and soulmate. The most painful, excruciating event I have ever experienced in my life. I have been struggling to ever think I could be content and/or happy again. I miss my husband terribly. I’ve done a lot of grief “work”, attended the Grief Share program and am currently acting as a co-facilitator with the program. I’ve listened to podcasts and books to help me cope with my grief. David has written the most encouraging book and/or podcast, program etc. that I have heard. His perspective has helped me to look at things with a different perspective and has helped me be more hopeful. I will listen to this one again and probably even more. David thank you thank you thank you for your work. You too have walked this road so it’s personal to you and you’ve experienced this as well. I am very grateful to have found this one. If you are grieving and struggling to move forward get this book as soon as possible!

Finding Meaning

I want to listen to it again and again. I need to listen to it again and again.

Beautiful

Grief a journey like no other put into words we can so safely land on.

Must read! So comforting

Out of all the grief books I read or listened to, this was by far the best and most helpful one!

Favorite Qoute

“We often believe grief will grow smaller in time. It doesn’t we must grow bigger. We must be the architects of our lives after loss.” David Kessler