openness, compassion and a universal field of consciousness. “Training is open to nurses, phy- sicians, clinicians, caregivers, family members, healthcare teams and any- one else interested in exploring what it means to die consciously,” says Estes. It attends to the provider’s inner awak- ening and helps them strengthen their ability to give spiritual, emotional, physical and practical care to anyone, helping to relieve pain, regardless of diagnosis.
SACRED PASSAGE W
Conscious Dying as a Transformative Healing Journey
by Linda Sechrist
hen properly viewed, the thresholds of all of life’s tran- sitional moments can be both
emotionally and spiritually rewarding. Whether it involves marriage or birth, job loss or illness, gleaning insight from the experience can yield fresh perspec- tive on how to live life more fully today, if we remain mindful and lovingly attentive through the process. Like birth, death is a transition we can wisely prepare for. In recent years, compassionate individuals and grassroots movements have emerged to help us conduct ourselves, heal and grow from losing a loved one or face our own passing. An increasing num- ber of initiatives support a new model in palliative care that treats death not as a failure, but an expected aspect of
16 Twin Cities Edition
the human experience. Each in its own way advocates for a grace-filled pas- sage supported by dignified, caring and compassionate practices.
Profound Shift The Conscious Dying Institute, in Boul- der, Colorado, aims to restore death and dying to its natural place in the sacred circle of life. Its end-of-life literacy cur- riculum and certificate training programs are helping to create a new, wis- dom-based culture of healing teachers and end-of-life doulas that serve among the frontline caregivers and companions providing the comfort people want and need most. Founded by Tarron Estes, a healing artist, poet, Caritas coach and transformational learning educator, the institute is grounded in love, spiritual
NaturalTwinCities.com
“Rather than curative care, it’s all about seeking to increase precious, meaningful moments, a sense of spiritu- al sanctity, beauty, interconnectedness and appreciation of life for the families and patients they serve. An end-of-life doula at bedside assures that families and loved ones can focus on what is most important,” explains Estes, who believes that our true nature lives with- in us as an unblemished jewel. Helping individuals become com- fortable talking about death is the work of Dr. Karen Wyatt, of Dillon, Colorado, founder of the End of Life University, an online interview series with end-of-life care experts. She provides a trustworthy loving environment in monthly death cafés. The author of What Really Mat- ters: 7 Lessons for Living from the Stories of Dying expands the conversation through related articles and podcasts at
eolUniversity.com.
Death cafés benefit from Wyatt’s experience as a hospice doctor. “There is never an agenda. Of the 10 to 12 people that generally join in, one is always a new caller, recently awakened to the idea of conscious dying or their own mortality. They’re seeking infor- mation and someone to talk to because family and friends aren’t interested. Some already embracing their mortal- ity wish to explore their thoughts with others. Some callers join just to listen,” advises Wyatt.
Because death in the West has be- come a commercialized, medical event with funeral home packages the norm, Wyatt recommends the National Home Funeral Alliance to those interested in a deeper understanding of options and resources for a gentler model. The nonprofit, grassroots movement and its members, such as Sacred Crossings, in Los Angeles, seek to restore the lost
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