The Psychological and Spiritual Challenges Inherent in Dying Well

The following is from WHOLE PERSON HEALTH CARE, a 3-volume encyclopedic anthology (Autumn 2007) of

the most forward-thinking ideas in medical and behavioral science, written by some of the most prestigious people in

their respective disciplines. I was greatly honored to be asked to write the death and dying chapter, which caused me

to take stock of how my understanding has grown in the almost two decades since Peg Mayo and I wrote Rituals for

Living and Dying. Normally an author is not allowed to post an article like this as the publisher wants you to buy the

book. In this case, the cost of the 3-volume series is $300. The publisher, Praeger, has generously agreed, however,

to allow me to post this for our energy medicine community, and I in turn offered to ask you—if you find it to be of

value—to encourage your local library, medical school, or university to purchase the series. It is in everyone’s

interest to get these kinds of ideas out to our local and professional communities. Click here for the Amazon listing. (Mardy's note: Used it is about $60 and remember to ask about library and book electronics options

www.amazon.com/Whole-Person-Health-Three-Volumes/dp/0275992314/ref=sr_1_1/102-0756140-7904149 [1]

I have taken these excerpts to post here and encourage you to go to the source, for the whole thing -- they also use a mind/body/spirit/social wellness model that 'fits' with what we promote at Lumigrate.com.This is a wonderful resource and I have shared the minimum amount of words possible to give you a taste of what is at: http://www.innersource.net/ep/images/stories/downloads/DyingWell.pdf [2]

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL CHALLENGES

INHERENT IN DYING WELL

David Feinstein, Ph.D.

www.innersource.net [3]

The individual dying in an ancient or pre-industrial culture is equipped

with a religious or philosophical system that transcends death, and is likely

to have had considerable experiential training in altered states of

consciousness, including symbolic confrontations with death. The

approach of death is faced in the nourishing context of the extended

family, clan, or tribe, and with its support—sometimes even with specific

and expert guidance through the successive stages of dying. . . . The

situation of an average Westerner facing death is in sharp contrast to the

above in every respect. —Stanislav and Christina Grof, Beyond Death

"When death approaches, the health care professional is—ready or not—often the default

manager of complex psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual challenges. As the Grofs suggest

above, however, our culture has not been particularly adept in cultivating the high art of

supporting a person through life’s final passage. And, as a product of that culture, the attending

professional often lacks the perspective and training for ministering to the opportunities and

completing the tasks that beckon at the close of a life. The opportunities are significant, often

casting into new light the life that has been lived.

This chapter offers health care professionals, as well as anyone confronted with these

challenges, perspectives and techniques for navigating their way through end-of-life issues in a

manner that completes what needs to be completed; seizes the profound and precious

opportunities that inevitably present themselves; and meets fear, pain, and uncertainty with love

and acceptance. A series of structured exercises throughout the chapter may be used by the

professional or the client for exploring various issues involved in coming to a “good death.” “A

good death,” counseled the fourteenth-century founder of humanism, Francesco Petrarca, “does

honor to a whole life” (cited in Grooves & Klauser, 2005, p. 13).

Many cultures have ........... "(AGAIN, links above to how to find the entire document and I so give credit to the author of this for working with the publisher of the book to allow the chapter to be available on the Internet AND encourating the locals to ask their community resources to puchase this professional-grade (and costly) publication. I have many times asked people to do the same with local libraries for all our books at the Lumigrate bookshelf. It's a way YOU can help change/progress/reform the health care for your community. Lots of little steps is how long marches end up being successful at the end of the trail. ~~ Mardy

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Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [4] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!

The Psychological and Spiritual Challenges Inherent in Dying Well - GRATE PDF from a Huge Resource