Living and Dying

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. ~Steve Jobs, 2005

Death is a natural part of life, but our culture does not treat it that way. There is little support to face this reality, and many of us have not prepared practically or emotionally for our own deaths or the deaths of those close to us.

Gestalt practice can provide structure and space to explore the practical, emotional, and spiritual realities of living in a conscious relationship to death and dying. We can consider being prepared for circumstances when we cannot speak for ourselves. We advocate for completing practical aspects such as an advanced directive (AD) or living will. Addressing the practical questions allows us to consider the emotional and spiritual issues as well.

Rarely are we invited to recognize and share the ways death and near death are parts of our lives. Gestalt practice invites showing up and turning toward. By facing now the possibility of a life-challenging situation in the future, we can eliminate unnecessary suffering for others and ourselves. By doing this collectively, we can discover our common ground and be informed by different perspectives. Many people find that opening to the reality of death brings new clarity on how they want to live.

We will offer various resources we have collected over the years and also experiences to allow time and space to be with death, one's own and of others.