The Documentary Podcast Heart and Soul: The only thing certain in life
Feb 21, 2025
Rochi Rampal, a performer and writer, shares her journey through grief and spirituality after losing ten loved ones in one year and facing her own health challenges. She discusses navigating loss through the lens of Irish wakes and Hindu funeral practices, highlighting the vital role of community and cultural rituals. Rochi contrasts her experiences with tending to her allotment and reflects on finding beauty in everyday moments. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing life and discussing death openly, fostering acceptance of our mortality.
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A Prayerful Passing
- Kevin Toulis's father was dying of pancreatic cancer, surrounded by family and friends in the Irish wake tradition.
- During a moment of intense, panicked breathing, his aunt led the room in reciting the five sorrowful mysteries, a Catholic prayer.
Facing Mortality
- Integrate death into life rather than hiding it.
- Teach children how to die; it's a parental duty.
Finding Solace in the Soil
- Rochi Rampal found solace in her allotment amidst cancer treatment.
- She planted peas, finding peace in the cycle of planting, tending, and harvesting, even when efforts seem futile.