I led a session on this topic at the membership weekend and it went down very well, and the group asked for my notes. Rather than sending my notes, I’ve converted my notes into a blog, which I hope that you find helpful. First of all, we can spend some time reflecting on what are…
In the place that is my own place, whose earth I am shaped in and must bear, there is an old tree growing, a great sycamore that is a wondrous healer of itself. Fences have been tied to it, nails driven into it, hacks and whittles cut in it, the lightning has burned it. There…
If death is inevitable, if it is a sure thing that this face, these hands, this body that holds a lifetime of this living, will, someday, no longer be here, if you don’t get to take a single thing with you — then — why spend a moment more refusing, worrying about who might disapprove,…
The UK Social Attitudes Survey Report on Dying is based on the premise that discussion about and preparation for dying will lead to a ‘good death’ with reduced distress for those involved – the person dying and their family and friends. This report demonstrates a trend towards growing openness to the topic of dying, but…
This topic has interested me for some time. How do we live well and in the living well prepare ourselves to die well, support those that we love to die well and navigate our own process of bereavement when we lose a loved one? My own Buddhist practice of reflecting daily on the ‘Four thoughts…
“How well we have lived How well we have loved How well we have learned to let go” ― Jack Kornfield So why might we want to begin to consider death in our lives? Unfortunately, like it or not, we are going to see loved ones die and come face to face with the…
We are in the process of developing a new course called ‘Living Well to Die Well’ and as part of this process I have been looking at the evidence base for compassion meditation in relation to the process of dying. This is in relation to the person who is dying, the bereaved and also those…
Mindfulness is my raft through difficult times. It supports me through turbulent waters and calm, it knows where to go and follows the ebb and flow of the tides. All I need to do is sit and feel how it moves with the flow to learn about letting go, giving into the being and going…
I have moved into my new cottage this week. It is a thirty minute walk from Samye Ling and under 10 minutes’ drive. I am warm and comfy in my new home, which has everything I need to live well. The move went as well as could be expected, my two dogs Holly and Nutmeg…