The Art of Dying: Facing Your Own Death

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Open Road Media, Feb 2, 2016 - Self-Help - 320 pages
The Art of Dying speaks to modern readers with refreshing frankness and wit. It covers the subject thoroughly, from how to inform relatives of impending death, to coping with pain and fear, to death rituals, to preparing for a possible afterlife or, depending on one’s viewpoint, the end of it all.” —Publishers Weekly
 
“Along with our caring presence, this book may be the finest gift we can give someone facing the last stage of life.” —Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People
 
“Dr. Weenolsen . . . doesn’t duck the tough questions.” —M. Brewster Smith, PhD, former president, American Psychological Association
 
“This book gives the same things a good support group does—compassionate sympathy and practical advice for people sharing pain. It will be a godsend.” —Rebecca Brown, author of Gifts of the Body
 
“Begins with ‘the day you receive the diagnosis’ and the sudden realization that ‘never again will you be as you were. Even if by some miracle you heal, it will be only temporary.’ Weenolsen takes the panic and paralysis out of such news through wise, aggressive, no-holds-barred approaches.” —Patricia Holt, San Francisco Chronicle
 
“A book everyone can benefit from reading.” —Nancy Pearl, author of More Book Lust
 
“Also for family and friends of dying persons, for professionals in the health-care fields, and for those who train them.” —Hannelore Wass, PhD, founding editor, Death Studies
 

Contents

FOREWORD
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
PREPARING FOR DEATH CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE
CUTTING DEATH DOWN TO SIZE
ARE YOU LIVING OR DYING? HOW PNIAFFECTS YOUR CHOICE
WHAT DOES YOUR ILLNESS MEAN TO YOU?
SHOULD YOU TELL OTHERS? HOW CAN YOU TELL YOUNGER CHILDREN?
CONTROLLING THE UNCONTROLLABLE
RETAINING YOUR IDENTITY
WHEN YOU DONT WANT TO FORGIVE
TRANSCENDING THE LOSS OF ALL YOU LOVE
IT DOESNT HAVE TO BE YOURS AND IT NEVER WAS
WHATS LEFT UNDONE
CREATING LIFE MEANING FROM DESPAIR
TEACHING OTHERS BY HOW WE

PSYCHOSPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
COPING POSITIVELY WITH DAILY LIFE
DISABILITY DISFIGUREMENT AND STIGMA
ONE RULE FOR DYING YOUR WAY
POWER OVER PAIN
THE NOTEXPECTEDTOLIVE CLUB
RIDING THE EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER
DO YOU WANT
WHERE WILL YOU DIE? WHO WILL CARE FOR YOU?
RITUALS AND MYTHS FOR THE END OF LIFE
BELIEF IN AN AFTERLIFE IS A CHOICE
PLANNING YOUR ETERNAL FUTURE
ENHANCING YOUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO DIE?
NOTES AND RESOURCES
INDEX
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Copyright

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About the author (2016)

As a Seattle psychologist specializing in death and dying, Patricia Weenolsen, PhD has conducted research and taught at several universities, including the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has counseled thousands of bereaved and terminally ill persons, and has led seminars and workshops. Weenolsen has appeared on the Today Show, TheJoan Rivers Show, and National Public Radio.
 

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