Reflections on Living and Dying

reflections on death and dying – AN INTRODUCTION

2/4/2022

Death is a subject that many of us are reluctant to talk about. By accepting that death is inevitable and being open to the fact that we too will die, we are more willing to discuss this subject openly which enables us to be there for others who are facing their own death. Without open conversation about death we are unprepared and do not understand what may lie ahead which can bring up a great deal of fear, anxiety and tension for both the dying person and their friends and family. Articles on this page openly and honestly explore what may be on offer at this stage of life. We invite you to ponder with us the purpose of the dying process and what it is preparing us for.

UNRESOLVED RELATIONSHIPS

1/4/2022

When we are aware that we are close to dying, we become sensitive as to how we are leaving our personal relationships with family and friends as well as our relationship with ourselves. There can be huge regret, which can engulf us as grief if we have ‘unfinished business’.

ANOTHER WAY TO SEE ILLNESS AND DISEASE

1/3/2022

When we look at illness and disease solely from the perspective of just this one life, we see it as the enemy, as something we have to fight and to defeat. We frequently refer to the ‘battle against cancer’ or say ‘she fought it until the end.’ Yet when illness and disease are viewed from the grander cycle, we can see it for the great blessing and healing it offers.

WHY THE SADNESS?

31/12/2021

A question I have been ruminating on these past few days is, why the departure of someone from the earth plane is seen as an occasion to be sad and mournful? What sparked this pondering was when a 91year old cousin of mine died earlier this week. As she was well known in the city she lived in, I decided to do a search online to see if anything had been written about her life there.

i'm dying – let's talk!

31/3/2021

Should the fact that people are reluctant to talk about death deter us from starting the conversation, particularly if we are the person close to dying? It is important to take responsibility for having discussions with those who will be involved with our care as this gives them permission to talk about it with us and ensures that we are guiding the process wherever possible.

LOVE IS THE BEST MEDICINE

31/1/2021

When a member of the family, or of our wider family of friends, is in hospital, and possibly in the Intensive Care Unit, do we hand over all responsibility to hospital staff or is there a place for a personal carer to offer support in meeting the simple personal needs of the patient?

DEATH IS NOT A FAILURE

30/11/2020

Death is normal and inevitable at the end of a life, of this we are certain. However, with more interventions increasingly available for medical professionals to sustain life and the medicalisation of care, society’s perception has shifted from dying at home to accepting dying in nursing homes and hospitals where medical support and treatment is closely managed under the Hippocratic oath to preserve and save life.

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND VISITORS . . . HELLO, HOW ARE YOU?

1/7/2020

Talking with family and friends when we know we are dying can sometimes be difficult as people are often uncomfortable and do not know what to say, especially if they have never before had conversations about death.

SENSITIVITY WHILE LIVING AND IN 'DYING'

28/2/2020

Living with the label ‘terminally ill’ can sound rather tragic, though in truth we are all terminal, here but for part of our cycle of return. There are many blessings and opportunities offered that one might not encounter so immediately without this reminder that one’s earthly days are numbered.

TRUE CARE - AN INTRODUCTION

30/10/2019

‘True caring is attending to what needs attending to
. . . no more no less.
Imposing is getting involved and,
getting involved is imposing.
To impose or get involved is nothing but the self
seeking recognition to fulfill one's own needs.’

Serge Benhayon - Esoteric Teachings and Revelations, ed. 1, page 285

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