Tag Archives: Loss
Marina and Nick (not their real names) came to my support group at hospice every week for several months after their three-month-old baby died of a severe birth defect. Although Nick was philosophical about the loss, he was able to feel and express his grief each week during the sessions, which he said was helpful in coming to an acceptance. Marina’s process was different. She seemed perpetually angry— “It shouldn’t have happened. We did everything right.” She compared herself to…..
The summer heat in Arizona was at its peak as extended family gathered together to celebrate Grandma Perry’s hundredth birthday. True to form, she fully enjoyed being the center of attention in her bright red dress with an over-sized, white lace collar. She had been quite sickly early in her life and had almost died in her thirties, but she had gone on to live a full and healthy, not to mention long, life. It seemed to all of us…..
It is said that the final words of the Buddha to his followers, who were distressed at the prospect of his impending death were: “All manifest things will vanish. Strive diligently for liberation.” The fear of death comes from the belief that we are an individual entity limited to a body and mind, which are subject to disappearing. When we are liberated from this mistaken belief, we are free from this fundamental fear. I once heard a spiritual teacher say…..
