Books and resources for ministers, worship leaders and all spiritual people
The Art of Dying Well - Print.
The Art of Dying Well - Print.
The Art of Dying Well: Ideas and reflections to help you face your death with courage, peace and hope
By Ian M Kilgour
A compassionate guide that navigates the complexities of death, offering reflections and practical steps to face life's final journey with courage, peace, and hope.
This book:
- Helps readers explore their beliefs and feelings about death and dying.
- Offers actionable steps to prepare for end-of-life decisions and conversations.
- Aids in alleviating fears and anxieties related to death through supportive insights.
- Draws wisdom from various faith traditions, fostering a holistic understanding of spirituality.
- Encourages meaningful discussions with loved ones about death and wishes for end-of-life care.
- Supports individuals in taking control of their final journey through planning and reflection.
- Includes prompts for journaling, allowing readers to document their thoughts and experiences.
Features
- Draws on teachings from Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
- Provides a visual roadmap to guide readers through the book's content.
- Designed for personal reflection with prompts for note-taking throughout the reading experience.
- Offers clear advice on organising affairs, including legal documents and funeral wishes.
- Includes prayers, meditations, and reflections from various faith traditions.
Published: April 2019
Language: English
Words: 14,180
B/W text, 80pp, 6″ x 9″
Soft cover
ISBN: 9781988572048
[12 in stock 21 Nov 2024]
Click for eBooks
Description
In The Art of Dying Well, Ian M Kilgour invites readers on a transformative journey toward understanding and embracing the inevitability of death.
This compassionate guide serves as a gentle companion, encouraging individuals to explore their beliefs and confront the fears surrounding life's final chapter.
Drawing insights from diverse faith traditions – including Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Confucianism – Kilgour provides readers with a wealth of perspectives to enrich their understanding of spirituality and mortality.
The book is structured to guide readers through practical steps in preparing for the end of life, from making their wishes known to engaging in meaningful conversations with loved ones. Each section is complemented by a pyramid diagram, acting as a roadmap for reflection and growth.
Readers will find opportunities for personal journaling, allowing them to document their thoughts and experiences as they navigate complex emotions.
With a focus on emotional well-being and acceptance, The Art of Dying Well fosters a sense of peace and hope, empowering individuals to approach their journey with courage.
This essential resource encourages deep reflection, facilitating a holistic understanding of life, death, and the connections that bind us.
Embrace your journey with this profound guide that highlights the beauty of life's final steps.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
Part 1 — Look forward, look back
- Your wishes
-
Your experiences
- Memory exercises to gather up your experiences and achievements
- My significant people
- My significant places
- My significant events
- My part in the big picture of life
- Surfacing the hard stuff and valuing myself
- When bodies and brains wear out
- Facing the big questions
- Leaving this world
Part 2 — Your spirit
-
- Reasons for hope
- Our future – a spiritual perspective
- Doorways into the mystery of God
- A deeply personal experience
- The intimacy of prayer
- Faith and trust
- A love with no limits
- A love stronger than death
Part 3 — Reflect and contemplate
-
Scripture Readings from Faith Traditions
- Readings from the Jewish Scriptures
- Readings from the Christian New Testament
- Readings from other faith traditions and sources
- Prayers
- Hymns and songs
- Benedictions
Further reading
About the author
Endorsements
About the Author
Ian Kilgour is a Salvation Army officer and Christian minister with wide experience in pastoral care and the deeply human issues we all struggle with. Although now retired, he remains actively involved in church, chaplaincy, community and social justice work.
After a serious health event that caused him to face his own mortality, he gathered together the reflections that comprise this book—a work in which he was encouraged and assisted by the people of his home congregation, St. Heliers Presbyterian Church in Auckland.
Ian believes that everyone has the capacity to find meaning in life, to deepen their spirituality, and to become all they can be. He has an inclusive understanding of life in which everything and everyone is interconnected and of immense value.
Ian dedicates this publication to those whom he has had the privilege of laying to rest.