Conversations Encore: Author Heather Rose on the grief lodged deep in her body
Nov 28, 2025
Heather Rose, an Australian novelist and memoirist, shares her profound journey through grief and spirituality. Following the tragic deaths of her brother and grandfather, she sought solace in nature and diverse spiritual practices, including Buddhism and Native American rituals. Heather vividly recounts lessons from her Tasmanian childhood, visions of lost loved ones, and the transformative power of ceremonies like the Sundance. She emphasizes how grief resides in the body but also leads to empathy and gratitude, ultimately shaping her artistic and personal life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood Loss At Lime Bay
- At age 15 Heather's brother Byron and her grandfather drowned after their boat overturned at Lime Bay.
- Heather woke that morning from a dream of Byron drowning and later knew before police arrived.
A Visit From Byron
- After the funeral Heather saw Byron appear in her bedroom as a reassuring, transparent presence.
- He emanated a calm message: I'm all right and it's going to be okay.
Monastery Silence That Changed Her
- Heather spent a rains-retreat at a Thai monastery with little eating, little sleeping and little talking.
- The silence and simplicity deepened her sensitivity to beauty and the unseen.
