Frank Ostaseski, a renowned Buddhist leader and end-of-life teacher, shares profound insights from his vast experience with grief and loss. He discusses the importance of acceptance and compassion in navigating personal tragedies while engaging with global suffering. Frank emphasizes living fully through gratitude and the necessity of presence in relationships, especially during challenging times. He encourages embracing uncertainty and impermanence to deepen connections and appreciate life. His heartfelt approach serves as a guide to finding peace amid chaos.
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Loving-Kindness Amid Heart Attack
Frank Ostaseski used loving-kindness meditation during his heart attack to calm his mind and expand his heart.
This practice helped him feel stable and grateful while receiving hospital care, changing his experience of helplessness.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Don't Wait to Live Fully
Don't wait to live fully or to express love to those dear to you.
Waiting for later moments can make us miss the precious time we have now with loved ones.
insights INSIGHT
Feeling Part of Something Larger
People can experience feelings of being part of something larger near death, easing their fear and isolation.
These experiences suggest the possibility of such connection is available to us all now.
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In 'Dead Man Walking,' Sister Helen Prejean recounts her personal experiences with death-row inmates, particularly her relationship with Patrick Sonnier, who was convicted of the murder of two teenagers. The book delves into the moral and philosophical implications of capital punishment, detailing Prejean's efforts to help Sonnier and another inmate, Robert Willie, find redemption and peace before their executions. It also explores the broader context of the criminal justice system, the impact on the families of both the victims and the perpetrators, and Prejean's own spiritual journey and activism against the death penalty.
The top five regrets of the dying
Bronnie Ware
In this book, Bronnie Ware shares her experiences from working in palliative care, where she identified the five most common regrets of the dying. These regrets include: 'I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me,' 'I wish I hadn’t worked so hard,' 'I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings,' 'I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends,' and 'I wish that I had let myself be happier.' The book provides a heartfelt and inspiring account of how these regrets can be addressed while there is still time, promoting a life of greater compassion, honesty, and happiness.
The Five Invitations
Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully
Frank Ostasecki
Frank Ostaseski (Buddhist; end-of-life teacher; elder) helps people die best. He has accompanied over 1,000 people through the dying process and trained thousands of healthcare clinicians and family caregivers around the world. He was also a lecturer at Harvard Medical School and has taught at Google and Apple Inc., has been honoured by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and appeared on Oprah and Sam Harris’ Making Sense podcast. I asked Frank to join me to talk through his book, The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully.
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Wild with Sarah Wilson 
