Sanctuary for the Ill and Dying

The principles used in creating a sanctuary in a home, out in nature and in a garden are just as effective, with modifications, for establishing the bedroom of an ill or dying person as a lovely place of refuge from the world. Therefore, also read the essays in those sections shown in the left hand menu.

The following article by Dr. C. Forrest McDowell and Tricia-Clark McDowell is an excellent overview of the application of Sanctuary for the ill and dying. Look for more articles and newsy items to appear in the future.

• Sanctuary in Illness, Death & Dying
  Personable and sensitive, this essay explores the benefits of sanctuary in the illness or dying process. It gives practical strategies for 5 key areas of an ill/dying person's setting, and includes tips for creating a memorial sanctuary. Furthermore, a section is devoted to sanctuary for a dying pet. This is a heartfelt essay that is nonclinical in its approach. [Click]
  
  
• Ways to Make an Ill or Dying Person Feel Your Love Without Smothering Them
  Sometimes it is awkward to be around a severely ill or dying person. Here are 13 helpful tips.[Click]
  
  
• Embracing Your Own Experiences with Death & Dying
  Here are some brief thoughts from the acclaimed Your Journey Website.[Click]
  
  

Ways to Make an Ill or Dying Person Feel Your Love
Without Smothering Them

1. Visit and/or call the individual on a regular basis so they know you are really there for them.
2. Keep them in your loving thoughts and prayers, visualizing them as being peaceful and calm in spite of the challenges of their illness.
3. Be well informed about the stages or progression of their particular physical condition.
4. Be willing to listen to and empathize with their complaints, but try not to take their negative emotions, criticisms, or fears personally.
5. Strive to be a positive presence in their life, as much as possible remaining patient, kind, and cheerful. Visualize yourself as a human form of sanctuary here to bless this person in their final days.
6. Don't talk about the dying person's condition to others in their presence, assuming that they can't hear or understand what you say.
7. Unless the person is no longer mentally alert, include them as a participant in discussions and decisions regarding their care and welfare.
8. Since successful pain management is a primary predictor of positive emotional adjustment in terminal illness, be well informed about the appropriate types of pain medication available and also familiarize yourself with alternative therapies that may have less adverse side effects.
9. When the person is ready to accept his or her own death, strive to be ready yourself to share in this acceptance.
10. Without pushing your own point of view, support their spiritual well being and encourage them to talk about their feelings on this matter. Be patient; this kind of openness may take time to cultivate. If they simply are not comfortable in talking to you about deeper topics, make sure they have someone whom they can trust and confide in. Especially good is someone who is themselves facing their terminal illness with inner peace.
11. Be willing to serve as an advocate/interpreter for the person in connection with doctors and medical personnel. It is frightening to be sick and to not understand what you're being told about your condition.
12. Let simple, heartfelt gestures symbolize your love and caring: bringing fresh flowers to the your friends room, an inspiring poem or story to read aloud to them, a healthy, tasty treat that is within their prescribed diet, your humorous or light-hearted observations about life that deflect some of the seriousness of dying.
13. Honor the chosen lifestyle, religious beliefs, diet, etc. of the dying person as much as possible. They may not be willing to change, and that's okay. Ultimately, it's their life and their death.
14. Take good care of yourself, keeping current with your own emotions and any fears that arise. Find a friend or counselor who can really be there for you.

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Learning how to operate a soul figures to take time.

Embracing Your Own Experiences with Death and Dying

From Your Journey Website
Click: www.continuationbook.com

Becoming aware of your own mortality or the mortality of a loved one is an emotional journey. Although difficult, this can become an opportunity to embrace your emotions and discover your courage and strength within. In our society, knowledge of death usually catapults us into fear and the unknown. Some people shut down and withdraw; some depend on religious beliefs to cope with death; some find the answers in poetry, music, art, or quiet reflection. We would like to share some personal thoughts that might offer some assistance in facing your own experience with death and dying.

• Keep an open mind.
• Accept not knowing all the answers.
• Establish boundaries; don't allow others to impose their agenda or dictate what you believe.
• Don’t view death as a negative or positive experience, just accept is as a sacred human experience
• Focus on living in the moment.
• Use music and art to quiet the mind and heal your emotions.
• Create a comfortable ritual to express yourself.
• Ask for what you want.
• Embrace all of your emotions and experiences and don't judge them.
• Remember that physical and emotional healing requires time and patience.
• View your difficulties and challenges as opportunities to discover your courage and your strengths.
• Remember; take the time to nurture your body, your mind, and your spirit.

Copyright Continuation Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

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