How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers Hot

How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers
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Format
Number Of Pages, Discs, Etc.
216
Date Published
September 14, 2010
ISBN-10
0861716264
ISBN-13
978-0861716265

This life-affirming, instructive and thoroughly inspiring book is a must-read for anyone who is--or who might one day be--sick. And it can also be the perfect gift of guidance, encouragement, and uplifting inspiration to family, friends, and loved ones struggling with the many terrifying or disheartening life changes that come so close on the heels of a diagnosis of a chronic condition or even life-threatening illness.
The author, who became ill while a university law professor in the prime of her career, tells the reader how she got sick and, to her and her partner’s bewilderment, stayed that way. Toni had been a longtime meditator, going on long meditation retreats and spending many hours rigorously practicing, but soon discovered that she simply could no longer engage in those difficult and taxing forms. She had to learn ways to make "being sick” the heart of her spiritual practice, and through truly learning how to be sick, she learned how, even with many physical and energetic limitations, to live a life of equanimity, compassion, and joy. And whether we ourselves are sick now or not, we can learn these vital arts of living well from How to Be Sick.

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How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers 2011-07-27 16:46:15 SClark
Overall rating 
 
5.0
Style 
 
5.0
Content 
 
5.0
Consciousness 
 
5.0
SClark Reviewed by SClark    July 27, 2011
Top 50 Reviewer  -   View all my reviews

By writing this book, Toni Bernhard has created a generous gift to people who are ill and for the people who care for them. I was hesitant about opening the book (recommended by a friend) because it sounded depressing, but I was completely engaged by Toni’s voice. It seemed to me that she embodied the process she writes about with loving kindness and compassion – and not a little humor – sharing what has been a long struggle with doctors and the loss of so many parts of her life.

She shares her story that includes becoming ill with something doctors don’t seem to be able to name or treat, having to give up her career, and losing many of her social connections. By continuing her practice of Buddhism she was able to open doors, as she says, to what her life had to offer. Limited, yes, but not without joy.

Her explanations of Buddhism are not only clear, but are given in a way that makes each practice understandable in the context of illness and loss. I checked the book out from our local library, but realized that, while I enjoyed the first read, if I were to actually going to try to adopt the practices in my own life I needed to buy a copy. She invites each reader to take the path her book outlines, to find that, “There’s nothing wrong with our life. It’s just our life.”

Since every life has disappointments and pain, the message Toni gives can be easily generalized to parenting, aging, or your own personal version of limitations. I recommend this book very highly.

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