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The book's message is simple and clear and despite the title, it does not require a belief in God.
But it does help if the reader is willing to accept the concept of a power greater than one's own self or the possibility
of infinite organizing intelligence.
Sometimes when people hear that I was a hospice chaplain they will ask me how I did it. They often ask if it was depressing to see so much death. Truthfully it was hard at times. But doing that work also often revealed to me the better sides of humanity. I have witnessed the love and caring that is within people - I have witnessed the great acts of simple kindness that I believe is part of our true nature. It is good to be reminded of this. Especially when far too often our news and entertainment is showing something quite the opposite.
But there was another benefit as well. Doing this work reminded me that eventually I will also die. I have done my best to make friends with this. Having this awareness does not fill me with dread, rather it puts things in perspective. A clarity comes from this awareness - if I allow myself to face my own mortality I discover something deep and rich: what really matters. And when I can discern that, I find I make better choices. My life improves and so do those I come into contact with.
But there was something that troubled me when I was doing this work. It wasn't so much the suffering I encountered due to disease; it was the suffering I encountered due to so many toxic beliefs about God (whether they believed in one or not). I was greatly saddened by the fear I saw some people wrestle with as the end of life approached and they were so unprepared for what it may be like.
So, based on my years in Hospice chaplaincy as a Spiritual Counselor, I felt a renewed incentive to release an updated version of this book and to get this information out to people before they are in circumstances when someone like me might be called in.
-Rich
READERS COMMENTS:
“…So direct and simple, smacking here and there of Studs Terkel, Carl Sandberg, Joseph Campbell, and Thomas Merton. Quite a load of wisdom from so slim a volume.” -Joseph Pelkey
"Once you start this book, you will have a difficult time putting it down, and you will leave feeling better about yourself, your true purpose, and about life.
-Rev. G. J. Little
“Down to earth, engaging and inspiring - there is a deep beauty surrounding his warm message.”
-Dave Goetz, Musician
"A great source for clearer understanding. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to go within and ask themselves 'What am I suppose to do with my Life?’ ”
-Rev.Brenda Casavoy, Hospice Chaplain