Portals not Problem Solvers

A few years ago, I suffered a heart attack that required emergency triple bypass surgery. I have companioned many people through their illness and death. Yet, I discovered that the view from the other side of the sheets is very … Continue reading

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Dying is a Sacred Act

Mirrors reflect the truth of what strikes their surface. The eyes of a dying patient are the clearest mirrors I have ever known. In their gaze, there is simply no place to hide. Over the years, the habits of my … Continue reading

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Timeless Buddhist Teachings That Will Help You Accept Mortality and Lead A Happier Life

No one alive really understands death. But as one woman who was close to death once told me, “I see the exit signs much clearer than you do.” In a way, nothing can prepare you for death. Yet everything that … Continue reading

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Simple Human Kindness

There is a moment for most of us, when we realize that we are about to become a companion of someone who is facing death. Maybe we come to this experience as part of our professional or volunteer commitment. More … Continue reading

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Being Comfortable With Change Is The Key To Living Your Happiest Life

“Apprentice yourself to the curve of your own disappearance.” — David Whyte Tim Gouw Over the past thirty years, I have sat on the precipice of death with a few thousand people. Some came to their deaths full of disappointment. … Continue reading

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5 Things Death Can Teach Us About Living Life To The Fullest

Life and death are a package deal. You cannot pull them apart. In Japanese Zen, the term shoji translates as “birth-death.” There is no separation between life and death other than a small hyphen, a thin line that connects the … Continue reading

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Watch The Five Invitations Cinematic Trailer

Friends, I am excited to share that my new book The Five Invitations is being released today. In it, I have done my best to share the collective wisdom of my teachers, loved ones, and above all, the people I … Continue reading

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Don’t Wait – Order Your Copy of The Five Invitations Today

When people are dying, it is easy for them to recognize that every minute, every breath counts. But the truth is, death is always with us, integral to life itself. Everything is constantly changing. Nothing is permanent. This idea can … Continue reading

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Why I wrote Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Has to Teach Us About Living

It was due to my wife Vanda’s encouragement that I wrote this book based on lessons learned from death and a lifetime of service. Having sat bedside with more than 1,000 people while guiding the Zen Hospice Project, and having … Continue reading

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Recovery?

By Frank Ostaseski (after his heart attack) I don’t know how to do this. How could I? I’ve never done this before. How do I include illness in day-to-day life? What adjustments are really necessary in my relationships, work, how … Continue reading

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