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

I was hesitant to read this book because of the label with Buddha. I don't know that I even realized my hesitancy or prejudice because it was, in my mind, a fear of the unknown and probably a concern that I would be "swayed" away from my denomination. This proves to me how weak I am in my faith, or at least that is what I realized as I read. I learned so much about my beliefs and myself. I grew - not only in knowledge, faith or experience but in acceptance and self-assurance. I need to know what I believe what I can do to help another in their journey. I know I am very good at my care of the aged and infirm. However, I am richer for learning to take that care with myself as well.

This is an important book for an aging portion of our population, the "Boomers," who are now struggling with their own limited circumstances after believing the world was our oyster (after "winning" the Culture War), only to find that not only must we struggle to deal with aging and inadequate incomes, but our failing parents as well.Koshin Ellison is a Zen priest, whose compassion is evident in this illuminating but painful to read book. The difficulties in dealing with demented, delusional, and often hostile parents are starkly laid out, along with some examples of how to deal with those difficulties. Thankfully, Ellison's generosity of spirit helps us deal with the difficulties of reading his book.Aging is not a pretty nor an easy process, especially as we approach end of life. Some manage it more gracefully than others, but some are stricken with senility, multiple medical problems, and financial challenges. This can be seen as a burden, or it may be seen as an opportunity for spiritual practice and growth.I highly recommend this book for its honesty and warmth, but don't be surprised if you don't finish it. There is only so much "bad news" one can take, and the truth about aging is a harsh one---one the Buddha cited as an example of the First Noble Truth: suffering.

I recently used this at a workshop I taught. There is more here than the usual clinical advice you can get in about a thousand other books. The material in this book will also guide clinicians as they wrestle with their own thoughts and feelings about death. Which, in my experience, is far more important than a boatload of clinical knowledge.

This tender, beautiful and deeply moving anthology of essays and poems explores how to hold suffering and great loss. It points to how to to be with: Those who are leaving, the weeping mourners that are left behind, and how to open to our own lives in the face of our own inevitable death.

What a treasure this book is! I read through each section happily soaking up all I can learn to allow myself to be the best hospice practitioner I can be. I love the zen approach to hospice, death, and dying and admire the work these folks do that is so important and vitally needed in society today. Death can teach you volumes about living if you're open to it. Highly recommended.

This was a book suggested to me for contemplative care fellowship. I am a retired physician, and already volunteer in hospice. I found the writing and insights presented very calm, wise, and inspiring. I recommend this book to anyone interested in end of life care, or working with people as a companion and witness to life.

This was for my husband, although he had me read some sections. He liked it so much that he's keeping it to re-read. He does notgenerally keep books. This was well worth the price.

Found comfort in this book while I was at the bedside of a loved one. Well written and easy to read. I recommend it to all who are trying to figure out how to be with someone who is dying.

Well worth read whether or not you believe in euthanasia. My own mother died in her late 90s not long ago. I wish I had had this book to hand to read before that happened. Very comforting.

This is a really good book that I can put to very practical use in a personal situation I am involved in. It has some Buddhist influence in the various thoughts and concepts written about; but I find it is tastefully and considerately written in an empathetic way and that because of that I feel that most faith backgrounds would be able to use this book extensively, and practically. It is helping me tremendously.

A profound reflexion on the passage of death and also the present situation of palliative care. Different specialists, care givers, spiritual guides write about their own experience in the field. Very informative for anyone involved in caring for people at the end of their life or any spiritual practitioner who wants to learn more on the process of living/dying. Read. Pause. Reflect.

For anyone with even a slight interest in this subject I definitely recommend this book. A variety of views clearly presented on an experience that affects us all. A valuable addition to anyone's collection to read and add a reference.

A practical guide to be a compassionate human, beyond belief systems