The Art of Death: Writing the Final Story


Edwidge Danticat - 2017
    Danticat circles the many forms death takes, shifting fluidly from examples that range from Toni Morrison's Sula to Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, to deliver a moving tribute and work of astute criticism that will profoundly alter all who encounter it.

The Hour of Our Death


Philippe Ariès - 1977
    A truly landmark study, The Hour of Our Death reveals a pattern of gradually developing evolutionary stages in our perceptions of life in relation to death, each stage representing a virtual redefinition of human nature. Starting at the very foundations of Western culture, the eminent historian Phillipe Aries shows how, from Graeco-Roman times through the first ten centuries of the Common Era, death was too common to be frightening; each life was quietly subordinated to the community, which paid its respects and then moved on. Aries identifies the first major shift in attitude with the turn of the eleventh century when a sense of individuality began to rise and with it, profound consequences: death no longer meant merely the weakening of community, but rather the destruction of self. Hence the growing fear of the afterlife, new conceptions of the Last Judgment, and the first attempts (by Masses and other rituals) to guarantee a better life in the next world. In the 1500s attention shifted from the demise of the self to that of the loved one (as family supplants community), and by the nineteenth century death comes to be viewed as simply a staging post toward reunion in the hereafter. Finally, Aries shows why death has become such an unendurable truth in our own century--how it has been nearly banished from our daily lives--and points out what may be done to re-tame this secret terror. The richness of Aries's source material and investigative work is breathtaking. While exploring everything from churches, religious rituals, and graveyards (with their often macabre headstones and monuments), to wills and testaments, love letters, literature, paintings, diaries, town plans, crime and sanitation reports, and grave robbing complaints, Aries ranges across Europe to Russia on the one hand and to England and America on the other. As he sorts out the tangled mysteries of our accumulated terrors and beliefs, we come to understand the history--indeed the pathology--of our intellectual and psychological tensions in the face of death.

Death, Society, and Human Experience


Robert J. Kastenbaum - 1977
    Fifteen chapters discuss subjects including the death system, causes of death, transition fro

As I Lay Dying: Meditations Upon Returning


Richard John Neuhaus - 2002
    During a series of complicated operations, weeks in critical condition, and months in slow recovery, he was brought face to face with his own mortality. As he lay dying and, as it turned out, recovering, he found that despite his faith he had been quite unprepared for the experience. This book traces his efforts to understand his own reactions and those of his friends and family, and explores how we as a culture understand and deal with death. As I Lay Dying testifies that dying is-and is not-part of living. We can and should live our dying. Neuhaus interweaves his own story with thoughtful inquiry, circling through philosophy, psychology, literature, theology, and his own experiences to create provocative meditations that explore the many aspects of dying: the private and public experience, the separation of the soul from the body, grief, surrender, and mourning. The result is a book that shakes the foundations of our being-and yet is oddly and convincingly tranquil.

A Life Worth Living: A Doctor's Reflections on Illness in a High-Tech Era


Robert Martensen - 2008
    Even those of us who enjoy decades of good health are touched by it eventually, either in our own lives or in those of our loved ones. And when this happens, we grapple with serious and often confusing choices about how best to live with our afflictions. "" "A Life Worth Living "is a book for people facing these difficult decisions. Robert Martensen, a physician, historian, and ethicist, draws on decades of experience with patients and friends to explore the life cycle of serious illness, from diagnosis to end of life. He connects personal stories with reflections upon mortality, human agency, and the value of "cutting-edge" technology in caring for the critically ill. Timely questions emerge: To what extent should efforts to extend human life be made? What is the value of nontraditional medical treatment? How has the American health-care system affected treatment of the critically ill? And finally, what are our doctors responsibilities to us as patients, and where do those responsibilities end? Using poignant case studies, Martensen demonstrates how we and our loved ones can maintain dignity and resilience in the face of lifes most daunting circumstances.

Letters from the Land of Cancer


Walter Wangerin Jr. - 2010
    offers his profound insights into the greatest challenge we face: confronting our own mortality. "Shortly after the cancer had been diagnosed I began writing letters to the members of my immediate family, to relatives and to lifelong friends. The following book will consist mostly of those letters. They will invite you into my most intimate dancing with the cancer, even as that partner and I have over the last two years swung each other around the tiled floors of ballrooms and bathrooms. Dizzy still, and day by day, I sat and wrote: This is what I'm feeling right now. This is what I think...." From afternoon to afternoon of radiation, Wangerin wrote about confronting his mortality, about living with the messiness of undone tasks and bodily weakness. He wrote about the medical procedures he endured, the wild mood swings that unbalanced his days, and the fragilities and strengths of the relationships that surrounded him. Letters from the Land of Cancer is made up of these writings. Cadenced within the letters are Wangerin's eloquent meditations derived from his pastoral experiences with the faithful passage of death to life. Seldom has the great adventure of life and death been as beautifully presented as it is in this testimony to faith, love, and the shocking reality of hope.

Animals in Spirit: Our faithful companions' transition to the afterlife


Penelope Smith - 2008
    With true stories and insights from people and their animals about dying, death, and beyond, readers will learn how to release feelings of loss and separation and instead stay connected to their animal friend in spirit.How do animals feel about crossing over? What do they communicate to us after they die? How can we contact animals in spirit? Losing an animal companion can be a painful experience, yet by examining their transition from a spiritual perspective, Animals in Spirit explores the process of dying from the viewpoints of animals and their people. Learn how animals choose their paths in each life, and the knowledge they leave behind for their humans. As animals make their way from the physical into the spiritual realm, Animals in Spirit can strengthen the union with our beloved friends by teaching us to accept and understand the full experience of life. With true stories, insights from animals and their human friends, as well as meditations to help communicate with animals in the spirit realm, Animals in Spirit will help heal the feelings of loss and separation by connecting you to your faithful companion in spirit.

When A Boss Nigga Wants You


Niqua Nakell - 2015
    He and Nico areCharleston’s kings and with major moves and major losses, they willlearn quickly that what they are both missing is love!Sa’Naya and Natori are both born and raised Charleston girls. Hailingfrom different parts of the city, they both have had their ownhardships that has made them the women they are today. And with lovepopping out of thin air, they question themselves. What’s a strongwoman without a strong man behind her?In this fast paced read, accompanied by Aunt Deya, JR, and Jillian,nothing is always as it seems. And with money to be made and revengein the air, a fairy tale romance does not align with the stars. Withchaos in the city and a new King crowned, jealousy rears its ugly head,in which jail or death are the answers for some. Take this adventurous ride,and see what a boss nigga wants!

Our Daily Bread - January / February / March 2019


Our Daily Bread MinistriesMike Wittmer - 2018
    The daily devotional thoughts published in Our Daily Bread help readers spend time each day in God’s Word. This electronic edition of Our Daily Bread allows you to enjoy the same inspiring content found in the print edition of Our Daily Bread, but with many additional digital features: • 90 Digital Daily Devotionals • Includes Scripture Passages and Insights • Links to a Daily Bible Reading Plan • Links to Additional Topical Content Resources from Our Daily Bread Ministries • Our Daily Bread Author Biographies Our Daily Bread is published and distributed worldwide in more than 40 languages by Our Daily Bread Ministries offices around the globe. Our Daily Bread Ministries also produces a variety of other Bible resources, which are available for the asking. Our Daily Bread is distributed via print, large-print, radio, podcast, email, rss, and mobile. For social networking users, find Our Daily Bread on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

The Little Guide To Greater Glory And A Happier Life


Sri M. - 2013
    His uniqueness lies not only in the fact that at the young age of 19 and a half, he travelled to snow clad Himalayas from Kerala, and there he met and lived for several years with a ‘real-time’ yogi, Babaji, but also that he should undertake such an unusual and adventurous exploration, given his non-Hindu birth and antecedents.The metamorphosis of Mumtaz Ali Khan into Sri ‘M’, a yogi with profound knowledge of the Upanishads and deep personal insights, born of first hand experiences with higher levels of consciousness is indeed a fascinating story.The bonus for those interested in the secrets of yoga, meditation and sankhyan metaphysics is that Sri ‘M’ is still living and easily reachable. He leads a normal life, married with two children, wears no special robes and conducts himself without pomp or paraphernalia.Someone who met him recently said, “I expected a flashy godman and instead I saw a jean clad gentleman with a smile of his face, ready to discuss my problems. In five minutes flat, I said to myself, this is no ordinary man. The peace and tranquility that enters your system is tangible”.

ZEN: A Simple Path to More Happiness, More Tranquility, and Less Problems


Andrew Daley - 2012
    It provides a useful introduction to Zen for people that have never had any previous experience of the subject matter, and it will provide a little something here and there for experienced Zen practitioners too, even if they are already very happy and very tranquil. The author's aim is to help people glide through life with maximum joy, and minimum fuss. Three of the central aspects of the Zen way of life that the author has found most useful for increasing happiness and tranquility are explored in detail. These are mindfulness, lifestyle and meditating. Between each of the three main chapters in this book are 'Zen tips', much shorter chapters of just a few paragraphs, giving information on a particular topic that the author has found especially useful in helping to maintain Zen tranquility and happiness. From the author: "This book isn't intended as a complete guide to all aspects of Zen culture, history or philosophy, but as an honest and insightful Zen based contribution to people's well being. I hope you enjoy it, and, more importantly, I hope you find it useful!"

Awake at the Bedside: Contemplative Teachings on Palliative and End-of-Life Care


Koshin Paley Ellison - 2016
    It’s about life and what life has to teach us. It’s about caring and what giving care really means. In Awake at the Bedside, pioneers of palliative and end-of-life care as well as doctors, chaplains, caregivers and even poets offer wisdom that will challenge, uplift, comfort—and change the way we think about death.  Equal parts instruction manual and spiritual testimony, it includes specific instructions and personal accounts to inspire, counsel, and teach. An indispensable resource for anyone involved in hospice work or caregiving of any kind. Contributors include Anyen Rinpoche, Coleman Barks, Craig D. Blinderman, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Joshua Bright, Ira Byock, Robert Chodo Campbell, Rafael Campo, Ajahn Chah, Ram Dass, Kirsten DeLeo, Issan Dorsey, Mark Doty, Norman Fischer, Nick Flynn, Gil Fronsdal, Joseph Goldstein, Shodo Harada Roshi, Tony Hoagland, Marie Howe, Fernando Kawai, Michael Kearney, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Stanley Kunitz, Stephen and Ondrea Levine, Judy Lief, Betsy MacGregor, Diane E. Meier, W. S. Merwin, Naomi Shihab Nye, Frank Ostaseski, Rachel Naomi Remen, Larry Rosenberg, Rumi, Cicely Saunders, Senryu, Jason Shinder, Derek Walcott, Radhule B. Weininger.

Die Now to Live Forever


Sanjay Singh - 2019
    It depicts a typical middle-class Indian family mindset. Throughout his life, Vinay has been taught to dream big and work hard. After years of tireless effort, he becomes a doctor but things turn sour as he starts to perceive unusual psychiatric symptoms. He falls victim to major psychiatric disorders, OCD and Depression. With each passing day life increasingly becomes a burden on him. He looses his loved ones. He takes few futile attempts to balance work and life, but nothing works out. It is when he turns absolutely distraught that he decides to end his life. But one dream has changed it all. He discovers a new realm of life. He is a different man now. The story describes how one can find much-longed happiness, how one can break the cycle of desires and sorrows and how one can become Buddha in their own lives. The author gives a lucid description of novel concepts like “Self witnessing”, “Self-conditioning”, “Self-love” and “Buddhahood”. He describes ways to attain the supreme form of happiness. This book is unique in the sense that it touches the much-neglected topic of mental health. India is a country with the highest burden of people suffering from major psychiatric disorders. Additionally, it ranks number one in suicide rates all over the world. This book has been written by a medical professional- Dr. Sanjay Singh. It is second in line to books written by him after “Oh dear happiness! The lost story of contentment”. He has written a blog named “The story behind the Dark Disease - Depression" which has been read more than two lacs times. He hopes that this book will pave the way to a new way of life to those who are extremely depressed and suffering from various psychiatric illnesses.

Jessica's Teacher (Love Me Love My Dog Western Romance Book 1)


Katie Wyatt - 2019
    She’s a puzzle to him, a woman who much prefers working in his farm while he teaches. Her wildness steals his heart, but he has to struggle to change himself into someone more accepting … otherwise she might just leave. Then fate intervenes…  Read all the books in Love Me Love My Dog Western Romance Series bestselling author, Katie Wyatt with Kat Carson Love Me Love My Dog Western Romance  Book 1 Jessica's TeacherBook 2 Dawn's DoctorBook 3 Georgia’s Cold Heart and CatsBook 4 Mary’s Twin Trouble and Zoo Read all the books by bestselling author Katie Wyatt 1. Aspen Falls Series2.Harvey House Series3.Christmas In Red Rock Series4. Snowy Mountain Series5.Cartwright Wilderness Outfitters Series6.Box Set A Town Called Hope Complete Series7.Mrs. Maisy’s Marvelous Mail Order Brides Series8.Westward Brides Collection9.Orphans of Albany Complete Series10.Brides of Bedford Series11. Oregon Trail Complete Series12.Sweet Frontier Cowboys Collection Mega Box Set Series -23 Book Mega Box Set Complete Series (Mega Box Set Series 12)-51 Inspirational Sweet Western Romances Box Set (Mega Box Set Series Book 11-31 Sweet Inspirational Romances Mail Order Bride & Christmas Box Set:-24 Books Western Women Tales of Love Box Set : Historical Western Mail Order Bride and Contemporary Western Romance-50 Boxset Inspirational Historical Western Romances, Mail Order Bride (Mega Box Set Series Book 8)-28 Books Mega Box Set 3 Complete Series (Mega Box Set Series Book 7)-24 Book Mega Box Set: Mail Order Bride Love Series (Mega Box Set Series 6)-25 Book Mega Box Set 5 Complete Series (Mega Box Set Series)- 27 Book Mega Box Set 5 Complete Series (Mega Box Set Series 4)-25 Book Mega Box Set Complete Series: (Mega Box Set Series 3)-26 Book Pioneer Wilderness Romance Complete Series (Mega Box Set Series 2)- Historical Tales of Western Brides 27 Book Mega Box Set Complete Series (Mega Box Set Series 1) Katie Wyatt’s Clean and Wholesome novelette American Mail Order B ride historical Western box set romance series is enjoyable for all ages.

The Love Never Ends: Messages from the Other Side


Sunny Dawn Johnston - 2014
    The constant theme she receives from all of these divine entities and loved ones is this: Love never ends; fear exists only in this world.In her new book The Love Never Ends: Messages from the Other Side, Sunny shares a selection of true and amazing stories from her experience as a psychic medium and intuitive. These encounters with the other side prove without a doubt that the universe is full of love.Sunny shows readers how to: find and follow their personal spiritual path learn to listen to their own inner truth and intuition recognize and own their natural spiritual gifts cultivate a spiritual connection with loved ones who have passed on Readers will learn how to overcome the biggest obstacle to seeing Love as the central force in the universe: their own lack of self-love. Through her inspirational stories and teachings, Sunny reminds readers that even in moments of adversity, we are not alone; our angels, guides, and loved ones who have crossed over are here to help us.