2
Videos
15
Writing prompts
1.5 Hrs
time to complete
6
Resource Sections
Overview
In the Spiritual Module, you’ll have space and time to consider your beliefs and practices. You might already know what is true for you, or you might explore new angles of what spirit means to you. Once again, the reflection questions in the workbook will guide your exploration. And as always, I’ll be asking: Have you shared your thoughts on this aspect of life with those who matter to you?
Step 1:
Watch Video A below, then head to your workbook for some writing.
VIDEO A: The one where Diane talks about chaplains, cherry blossoms and extra-ordinary events
Step 2:
Head to your workbook for some writing. Complete:
- The first set of writing prompts
- Module 2 reflection questions
- Your vision, current reality, and action steps for the spiritual domain
Writing prompts
- As you reflect on your spiritual beliefs, take note of who knows this side of you already?
- Have you shared your thoughts on this aspect of life with those who matter to you? Why or why not?
Reflection Questions
Once again, imagine that you are your age and health right now, and you have only 3 months to live. Notice what arises from your life history and family background in regards to the Spiritual domain. How were you raised? What is your lineage, and what is current for you in regard to your spiritual life?
- What does spirit mean to you? How do you define Spirit?
- You have 90 days to live: What spiritual or religious practices would be important for you to do or to have others support you in doing during this time?
- What are your beliefs about the afterlife?
- How could you be supported in relation to these beliefs?
- What are the most important things someone who is caring for you at the end of your life should know about your spiritual life?
- You have 90 days to live: What are the most important actions you would like to take in relation to your spiritual life? Notice the time element in the examples below. For each of your action steps, make a plan for when.
Video B: The one where Diane tells the story and then shares “Practice for Death”
Writing prompts
- Did you uncover anything new in your reflections on this domain?
- Is there anything that would be important for you to share with loved ones? When and how might you do that?
- Check your action steps so far. Especially, are they specific enough and do they have a time frame attached?
Step 3:
Go back to your workbook for a few final writing prompts.
Next steps
You know the drill now. Explore resources below!
Module 2 Resources
- “5 Different Religions & How They Deal With Their Dead” by Hayley Macmillan
- “Why Is Spirituality Important at the End of Life?” by Matthew Heyn
- “How Deathbed Phenomena Can Impact Those Left Behind” by Marilyn A. Mendoza Ph.D.
- Alua Arthur https://youtu.be/IkeuKPZxEhM?si=QoTst2WcIMFAkYSS
- Dr Sarah Kerr, “Martin Prechtel on what happens after we die – A resource for Death Doulas”
- Aditi video, music and visuals for the Practice for Death
- Rabbi Steve Leder, “Every Life is Valuable to through to the end”
- BLBD #60 Miracles in the Everyday, Peter Mayer, Singer/Songwriter
- BLBD #104 What Is the Role of a Hospice Chaplain? Ellie Douglass and Kathy Gambino, Hospice Chaplains
- When You Die Project, particularly their trilogy of movies
- The Five Invitations Discovering What Death Can Teach Us about Living Fully by Frank Ostaseski
- This beautiful rumination on life, death, and the choices we make as we live is a deep summary on what is possible when we lean into our experience. The invitations put forth may ring true for you as well. Gorgeous, spiritual-minded read. The Five Invitations: -Don’t Wait -Welcome Everything, Push Away Nothing -Bring Your Whole Self to the Experience -Find a Place of Rest in the Middle of Things -Cultivate Don’t Know Mind
- Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence by Daniel J Siegel, MD
- In Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life’s Final Moments by Hadley Vlahos, RN
“How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.”