How to Be Sick

A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers

By: Toni Bernhard

Narrated by: Deon Vozov

How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and their Caregivers is a life-affirming, instructive, and inspiring book about living gracefully and purposefully with the challengesfaced by those with chronic pain or illness. These conditions, while not always life-threatening, are life-disrupting and stressful. The audiobook contains over two dozen tools and practices to help people live skillfully and to find equanimity and joy despite the profound changes in their lives. A recurring theme in the audiobook is that, although our bodies may be in pain or otherwise disabled, our minds can be at peace. The book is Buddhist-inspired but is non-parochial; it is intended to help everyone.

Until she had to retire due to illness, Toni Bernhard was a law professor for 22 years at the University of California-Davis, serving six years as the law school's dean of students. She had a longstanding Buddhist practice and co-led a weekly meditation group with her husband. How to Be Sick won the 2011 Nautilus Gold Book Award in Self-Help/Psychology and was named one of the Best Books of 2010 by Spirituality and Practice. Her new book is titled How to Wake Up: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide to Navigating Joy and Sorrow. She can be found online at www.tonibernhard.com

©2010 Antonia Bernhard (P)2013 Antonia Bernhard

A must read/listen for the chronically ill!

Great book with practical and spiritual ways of handling chronic illness. While this does focus on buddhist teachings, it wasn't too cerebral or religious to get through. Content stuck with me and I found myself both practicing and thinking about the concepts from this book even in my day-to-day life.

Essential Reading

For anyone who suffers from chronic illness, or knows another person who suffers from chronic illness, how to be sick is an essential book for mental and spiritual well-being. Practical advice is balanced with spiritual understanding, and even for atheists, the author is able to offer techniques to accept and live joyfully with a chronic illness.

A Buddhist view of Chronic illness

What made the experience of listening to How to Be Sick the most enjoyable?

I love the content of this book. Originally, I bought the paperback version, but I wanted to enjoy it again with less effort. With the audio version, I was able to passively enjoy this book all over again. It was a wonderful experience.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book really gave me new perspective of my illnesses and how I react to the situations that come about due to it. Instead of suffering, I have learned to find the positive through the experience.

Any additional comments?

It helps to have knowledge of the Buddhist Philosophy before reading this book.

Great information...

Great information for the sick and their care givers. Enjoyed listening to the book. Good stuff!

WOW!!!

LOVED EVERY DETAIL!
I love Buddhism and everything explained my thoughts! highly RECOMMENDED!
I too have Cfs/me

The BEST book for chronic suffers

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Be Sick?

This is probably the best book I've purchased so far. The narration fits perfectly with the contents. It is so gentle, encouraging and reminds us to always love ourselves and not blame ourselves for our suffering. It is like drinking a calming tea, so soothing to my soul. I would give it 10 stars if I could.

What does Deon Vozov bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is such a talented narrator. Her voice is healing and genuine. Just listening to her voice puts me at ease.

For everyone

How to Be Sick is for everyone. Not just because it is our nature to get sick. It is for everyone because Toni Bernhard encourages us to live, now, no matter our circumstances. Humble and gracious, it is for everyone.

A gentle gesture for the chronically ill

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

There are several powerful concepts in Buddhism that do actually offer relief for someone like me, who is chronically ill. The authors personal story is remarkable and her advice is quite valuable. Some parts were more interesting than others but overall it was a listen that I wouldn't want to have missed.

Any additional comments?

If you are interested in Buddhism and have a chronic disease this is a great book.

Toni Bernhard's writing saved my life

When I finally surrendered to the fact that I had chronic pain ( after 17 years of denial ) the books of Toni Bernhard helped me immensely.
At times the anxiety attacks are so bad that only breathing, and listening to one of Toni’s books on the subject help keep me sane.
Zen mindfulness.
Most books make this stuff to hard for my pain wracked brain to grasp.
Toni describes it as she's gone through it her self - she still is, and she tells you how to use it to survive this new journey.
She's an intelligent writer with an easy style... good for us common folk to grasp this philosophy.
The books have many wise words in them she has gathered in her own studies …such as:
• “I am a flow-through of matter, energy and information. I am no fixed self.”
• “We must embrace our pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.”
• "Only great pain is the ultimate liberator of the spirit….I doubt that such pain makes us ‘better’; but I know that it makes us more profound."
That last one is 'ol Friedrich Nietzsche.
Your life has changed forever? Listen to this... and breath.
Your going to make it.

Very nice.

What did you love best about How to Be Sick?

It was very engaging and easy to relate to. I found it quite practical and thought provoking.