How to Be Sick (Revised and Updated) : a Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers

A brand-new edition of the best-selling classic with added and updated practices. In 2001, Toni Bernhard got sick and, to her and her partner's bewilderment, stayed that way. As they faced the confusion, frustration, and despair of a life with sudden limitations—a life that was vastly different from the one they'd thought they'd have together—Toni had to learn how to be sick. In spite of her many physical and energetic restrictions (and sometimes, because of them), Toni learned how to live a life of equanimity, compassion, and joy. This book reminds us that our own inner freedom is endless, regardless of our external circumstances. Updated with new insights and practices hard-won from Toni's own ongoing life experience, this is a must-read for anyone who is—or who might one day be—sick. This life-affirming, instructive, and thoroughly inspiring book is a must-read for anyone who is - or who might one day be - sick. It can also be the perfect gift of guidance, encouragement, and uplifting inspiration to family, friends, and loved ones struggling with the many terrifying or disheartening life changes that come so close on the heels of a diagnosis of a chronic condition or life-threatening illness. Authentic and graceful, How to be Sick reminds us of our limitless inner freedom, even under high degrees of suffering and pain. The author - who became ill while a university law professor in the prime of her career - tells the reader how she got sick and, to her and her partner's bewilderment, stayed that way. Toni had been a longtime meditator, going on long meditation retreats and spending many hours rigorously practicing, but soon discovered that she simply could no longer engage in those difficult and taxing forms. She had to learn ways to make'being sick'the heart of her spiritual practice - and through truly learning how to be sick, she learned how, even with many physical and energetic limitations, to live a life of equanimity, compassion, and joy. And whether we ourselves are ill or not, we can learn these vital arts from Bernhard's generous wisdom in How to Be Sick. This Life-affirming, Instructive And Thoroughly Inspiring Book Is A Must-read For Anyone Who Is?or Who Might One Day Be?sick. And It Can Also Be The Perfect Gift Of Guidance, Encouragement, And Uplifting Inspiration To Family, Friends, And Loved Ones Struggling With The Many Terrifying Or Disheartening Life Changes That Come So Close On The Heels Of A Diagnosis Of A Chronic Condition Or Even Life-threatening Illness. --publisher. Getting Sick : A Romantic Trip To Paris -- Staying Sick : This Can't Be Happening To Me -- The Buddha Tells It Like It Is -- The Universal Law Of Impermanence -- Who Is Sick? -- Finding Joy In The Life You Can No Longer Lead -- Soothing The Body, Mind, And Heart -- Using Compassion To Alleviate Your Suffering -- Facing The Ups And Downs Of Chronic Illness With Equanimity -- Getting Off The Wheel Of Suffering -- Tonglen : Spinning Straw Into Gold -- With Our Thoughts We Make The World -- Healing The Mind By Living In The Present Moment -- What To Do When (it Seems) You Can't Do Anything -- Zen Helps -- Communicating With Care -- The Struggle To Find Community In Isolation -- And In The End ... -- A Guide To Using The Practices To Help With Specific Challenges. Toni Bernhard. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This life-affirming, instructive, and thoroughly inspiring book is a must-read for anyone who is--or who might one day be--sick. And it can also be the perfect gift of guidance, encouragement, and uplifting inspiration to family, friends, and loved ones struggling with the many terrifying or disheartening life changes that come so close on the heels of a diagnosis of a chronic condition or even a life-threatening illness. The author, who became ill while a university law professor in the prime of her career, tells the reader how she got sick and, to her and her partner's bewilderment, stayed that way. Toni had been a longtime meditator, going on long meditation retreats and spending many hours rigorously practicing, but soon discovered that she simply could no longer engage in those difficult and taxing forms. She had to learn ways to make "being sick" the heart of her spiritual practice and, through truly learning how to be sick, she learned how, even with many physical and energetic limitations, to live a life of equanimity, compassion, and joy. Whether we ourselves are sick now or not, we can learn these vital arts of living well from How to Be Sick . A brand-new edition of the best-selling classic with added and updated practices. In 2001, Toni Bernhard got sick and, to her and her partner’s bewilderment, stayed that way. As they faced the confusion, frustration, and despair of a life with sudden limitations—a life that was vastly different from the one they’d thought they’d have together—Toni had to learn how to be sick. In spite of her many physical and energetic restrictions (and sometimes, because of them), Toni learned how to live a life of equanimity, compassion, and joy. This book reminds us that our own inner freedom is limitless, regardless of our external circumstances. Updated with new insights and practices hard-won from Toni’s own ongoing life experience, this is a must-read for anyone who is—or who might one day be—sick or in pain. In 2001, Toni Bernhard got sick and, to her and her partner's bewilderment, stayed that way. As they faced the confusion, frustration, and despair of a life with sudden limitations--a life that was vastly different from the one they'd thought they'd have together--Toni had to learn how to be sick. In spite of her many physical and energetic restrictions (and sometimes, because of them), Toni learned how to live a life of equanimity, compassion, and joy. This book reminds us that our own inner freedom is limitless, regardless of our external circumstances. Updated with new insights and practices hard-won from Toni's own ongoing life experience, this is a must-read for anyone who is, or who might one day be, sick or in pain. --Publisher. Foreword Getting sick : a romantic trip to Paris Staying sick : this can't be happening to me The Buddha tells it like it is The universal law of impermanence Who is sick? who is in pain? Finding joy in the life you can no longer lead Soothing the body, mind, and heart Using compassion to alleviate your suffering Facing the ups and downs of chronic illness with equanimity Getting off the wheel of suffering Tonglen : spinning straw into gold With our thoughts we make the world The present moment as a refuge Wise action: what to do and what not to do Zen helps Communicating with care Connecting with others and appreciating solitude And in the end ... A guide to using the practices to help with specific challenges.