Frank Ostaseski: Grief – A Path to Wholeness

How do we move towards the light of absolute truth while accepting and honoring our very human nature?” In this vulnerable, raw talk, Frank Ostaseski shares his heart with us following his brother’s death ten days prior. He talks about how his experience of such a personal loss differs from his experience of witnessing the deaths of people he sat beside while working in hospice. He offers that advice rarely helps when it comes to grief and that what most serves is the presence of someone who can just sit beside him and listen, who can accompany him in his sorrow. He reminds us that our practice is not about transcending or overcoming grief, but about moving into, through the grief, which in turn gives rise to compassion and kindness. Frank asks the “Being with Dying” retreatants who are viewing the dharma talk in the zendo how grief shows up for them and how their practice helps in the experience of grief. Many heartfelt, honest reflections are shared.