Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This nondenominational resource provides reassurance
About the Author
RICHARD F. GROVES is the founder of the internationally renowned Sacred Art of Living and Dying educational series, which teaches participants how to alleviate spiritual and emotional distress at the end of life. A hospice chaplain for nearly thirty years, Richard has attended the deaths of more than five hundred people. He speaks nine languages and has earned graduate degrees in theology, ethics, law, and pastoral counseling. Richard and his wife, Mary, established the Sacred Art of Living Center in Bend, Oregon, twenty-five years ago, where he still resides today.
HENRIETTE ANNE KLAUSER, Ph.D., is the author of four books, including the best-selling Writing on Both Sides of the Brain and Write It Down, Make It Happen. She is the president of Writing Resources, a seminar and consulting organization, as well as an active lecturer, workshop leader, and freelance writer. Henriette Anne is dedicated to helping people use the power of the written word to build relationships, bring families together, and heal emotional wounds. She lives in Edmonds, Washington.
Table of Contents
CONTENTSPreface to the Paperback Edition - viii
Introduction - 1
Part I. The History
Hospice
The Original Hospice: The Art of Dying Well - 13
A Vision from the Past: Gods Hotel - 14
Our Cultural Bias: Death Is the Enemy - 17
Hospice in America: Gift and Challenge - 19
Ancient Books of the Dead
The Heritage - 21
• Egyptian Book of the Dead: A Greater Light
• Celtic Books of the Dead: Spiritual Midwifery
• Gnostic Books for the Living and Dying: Bridge between East and West
• Tibetan Book of the Dead: Coaching the Soul
• Monastic Books of the Dying: Prescriptive Care
What the Books of the Dead Have in Common: Lessons for Us Today - 34
Spiritual Pain
Pain versus Suffering: The Human Condition - 37
Diagnosing Spiritual Pain: Asking Courageous Questions - 39
Responding to Spiritual Pain: A Psychospiritual Relationship - 42
• Meaning Pain: The Painful-Blissful Encounter with the Truth
• Forgiveness Pain: The Common Cold of Spiritual Pain
• Relatedness Pain: Leaving the Familiar Behind
• Hopelessness Pain: Death as Healer
Becoming an Anamcara - 55
• Ten Commandments for the Anamcara
Part II. The Stories
Annie: the Perfectionist
Will you love me even if I get it wrong? - 63
Henry: the Helper
Will you love me even if I cant love you back? - 81
Sara: the Achiever
Will you love me even if I am not successful? - 95
Heather: the Dreamer
Will you love me even if you know who I am? - 111
Park: the Thinker
Will you love me even if I lose everything in life? - 125
Maria Elena: the Loyalist
Will you love me even if I break the rules? - 143
Andrew: the Adventurer
Will you love me even if I cry? - 159
Dorothy: the Asserter
Will you love me even if I am weak? - 175
Larry: the Peacemaker
Will you love me even if I disagree with you? - 189
Story Archetypes - 202
Part III. The Tool Chest
Art Therapy - 205
Breath Work - 209
Coma Therapy - 213
Dream Work - 218
Energy Therapies - 223
Forgiveness Exercises - 227
Guided Visualization - 231
Healing and Assistance from Ancestors - 236
Healing Religious Abuse and Images of God - 240
Intercessory (Nonlocal) Prayer - 244
Journaling - 248
Life Review Exercises - 252
Meditation Practices - 257
Music Therapy - 262
Religious Rites and Sacred Writings - 267
Rituals for the Bedside - 270
Rituals of Release - 273
Vigil Rituals and Rituals for Remembering - 277
Bibliography - 285
About the Authors - 294