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We have all heard the sayings and clichés, but what is the truth behind being afraid of dying? In this episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with Elena Brower, a best-selling author, meditation teacher, and hospice volunteer, to discuss the profound topics of impermanence, living intentionally, and preparing for the end of life.

Drawing from her own experience with the loss of her mother, Elena shares her journey into hospice work and Buddhist chaplaincy, revealing how embracing the reality of death has become her most sacred practice. This conversation is not about morbidity but about using the awareness of death to live a more vibrant, present, and meaningful life.

Discover Elena Brower’s powerful new book, Hold Nothing, available now at https://elenabrower.com/holdnothing

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

1:24 - The Five Remembrances

3:16 - Living with Impermanence

5:11 - The Two Kinds of Physicians

6:14 - Elena's Journey as a Hospice Volunteer

9:22 - Why Not Just Wait to be Afraid?

10:05 - The Power of Day-by-Day Awareness

13:34 - The Practice of Letting Go of Your Personality

15:40 - Making the Room Sacred

17:06 - Why Our Culture Turns Away from Death

23:02 - Do We Need Rituals?

26:39 - Talking to Children about Death

28:27 - Trauma, Grief, and Meeting Death Differently

30:20 - Zen Meditation vs. Other Modalities

38:54 - The Power of Friendship

45:45 - The Lightning Speed of Letting Go

46:33 - Cultivated Things

47:07 - Redefining Success

48:10 - Emptying Self-Doubt

49:30 - The Purpose of Self-Doubt

53:16 - Navigating Too Much Information

54:23 - Sitting Still and Weight Training

56:49 - Intergenerational Healing

59:09 - The Grandmother's Passing

1:01:36 - How Does Someone Become So Capable?

1:07:39 - The Most Powerful Form of Action

1:10:38 - Boundary Setting as an Act of Love

1:17:45 - The Altar of the Heart

1:19:22 - What to Say to Someone Who is Afraid of Dying

1:21:18 - A Quick Story

1:23:58 - Five Remembrances

1:25:01 - Meditation

1:31:16 - Closing Remarks

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Disclaimer: The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, YouTube, or materials linked from this podcast or YouTube is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professional for any such conditions.

Anguttara Sutta

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