The Art of Dying Well and Finding Your Sacred Self – Two book set – Print.

The Art of Dying Well &
Finding Your Sacred Self
Two print book set

By Ian M Kilgour

Click for eBook set

• • •

The Art of Dying Well: 
Ideas and reflections to help you face your death with courage, peace and hope

By Ian M Kilgour

Published:  April 2019
Language: English
Words: 14,180
B/W text, 80pp, 6″ x 9″
Soft cover
ISBN: 9781988572048

Description

Set out on a transformative journey with this simple, profound guide on facing death with courage and faith. The book navigates the mystery of death, drawing insights from various traditions like Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

Ian Kilgour encourages readers to embrace their own beliefs while remaining open to other perspectives. The book serves as a helpful companion, offering pointers rather than rigid answers. The goal is to bring peace and hope to readers as they reflect on their life’s final steps.

Designed for personalisation, the book invites readers to keep a journal, to jot down their thoughts and reflections. It recognises the inevitable questions and uncertainties we all have surrounding death, but also highlights the opportunity for personal reflection and deepening peace.

Readers are guided through practical steps to prepare for the end of life, both practically and emotionally. The book suggests making wishes known, organising personal affairs, and creating documents like a Will and an Advance Care Plan. It emphasises the importance of open conversations with loved ones and planning a meaningful and personalised farewell.

A unique feature of the book is a pyramid diagram, acting as a roadmap for readers to chart their progress through various sections. The author’s hope is that these suggestions, when combined with readers’ ideas, become genuinely beneficial.

The final part of the book offers a diverse selection of readings and reflections from different perspectives and faith traditions. The prayers, meditations, and breathing exercises offer a holistic approach, addressing the mind, soul, and body.

The guide is divided into parts, with the first section encouraging readers to “look forward, look back.” It emphasises the importance of making one’s wishes known, from legal matters to personal preferences for palliative care and funeral arrangements. The book provides practical advice on documenting personal history, distributing personal items, and expressing funeral preferences.

The “significant people, places, and events” section guides readers through a reflective life review. Exercises prompt readers to remember and appreciate the individuals, locations, and milestones that shaped their life. Documenting these reflections, creates a tangible record of the reader’s life story.

As readers explore their part in the big picture of life, the book helps them value their connection to the world and appreciate their role in the universe. It navigates complex concepts with simple language, offering alternative descriptors for the term ‘God’ and encouraging a broader understanding of spirituality.

This is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to approach the end of life with courage, reflection, and a sense of peace. It is a practical and compassionate companion for those on a personal journey toward acceptance and understanding.

• • •

Finding Your Sacred Self: 
Prayers, poems and pastoral helps

By Ian M Kilgour

Publishing:  December 2023
Language: English
Words: 14,869
B/W text, 72pp, 6″ x 9″ 
ISBN 9781991027641

Description

Unlock the secrets to inner peace and spiritual well-being with this insightful booklet crafted from a lifetime of pastoral care. In a fast-paced world filled with stress and anxiety, the author draws on personal experiences and encounters with older people facing the challenges of an ever-changing society.

The inspiration for this guide came during a visit to a 91-year-old, where a simple exercise to alleviate anxiety sparked the idea to compile practical tools for coping with life's complexities. The booklet goes beyond traditional pastoral practices, offering step-by-step exercises to help readers navigate stress, anxiety, and spiritual struggles.

As we age, maintaining social connections becomes challenging, and traditional sources of support may dwindle. The author emphasises the importance of tapping into our inner resources to foster personal well-being and spiritual growth. Through a collection of breathing exercises and insights, readers will discover ways to develop a relationship with the divine, drawing from the rich tradition of Christian spirituality.

The author acknowledges the diverse perspectives on the term 'God' and introduces alternative descriptors that appeal to both religious and non-religious minds. Whether one sees God as a Higher Power, Creative Spirit, or Universal Presence, the booklet encourages a broader understanding beyond conventional religious language.

The guide delves into various types of meditation and contemplation, offering a range of practices to suit individual preferences. From reflective and creative meditations to insight meditations focusing on mindfulness, readers will explore a vast field of techniques to encounter their true selves and connect with the Spirit of God.

Creating space for meditation and contemplation is the key to the transformative journey outlined in the booklet. Readers will learn to cultivate disciplines of solitude, stillness, silence, and simplicity, setting aside dedicated time and space for spiritual growth. The author, who is candid about the challenges of maintaining these disciplines, shares the profound value and lasting impact of persevering in the quest for inner peace.

Whether you're seeking solace from life's challenges or aiming to deepen your spiritual connection, this booklet provides practical guidance, breathing exercises, and a curated selection of prayers and meditations. It invites readers to embark on a daily pilgrimage to the center of their hearts, discovering a source of replenishment and accessing the transformative power of divine love.

Praise for Finding Your Sacred Self

About the author

Ian Kilgour is a Salvation Army Officer and Christian minister with wide experience in pastoral care and the very human issues we all struggle with. Now retired he remains actively involved in church, chaplaincy, community, and social justice issues.

Ian believes that everyone has the capacity to find meaning in life and to deepen their spirituality by knowing their inner sacred self and enjoying intimate relationship with the Transcendent Source of all life. He has an inclusive understanding of life in which everyone and everything is interconnected, belongs and is of immense value.

Ian dedicates this book to those to whom he has had the privilege of offering pastoral care and who taught him so much.