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After the Psyche Escapes
A look at burial customs in Ancient GreeceAncient Greeks believed that at the moment of death, the psyche, or human spirit, left the body with the final exhalation. With this last little breath, the soul separated from the body, but lived on, unencumbered by its mortal form. In Plato’s Phaedo, Socrates, on the day before his execution by drinking hemlock, holds forth on the…
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A Rose is a Rose By Any Other Name – Or Is it?
As California legalizes “physician aid in dying,” we consider the progression of past terms: “physician assisted suicide” & “euthanasia”To my surprise, as well as others closely watching California legislation, physician aid in dying became legal last week when Governor Brown signed “The End of Life Option Act.” It all happened quickly and unexpectedly behind closed doors. California became the 5th state to pass this legislation. The five states in order of legalization are:…
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Monday Hearts for Madalene
Page Hodel creates the most beautiful hearts in an ongoing celebration of loveMy Heart Crumbles When I Think of You! It’s an honor for SevenPonds to share with our readers the story of the Monday Hearts for Madalene project, a true account of the power of love in the midst of death. The project’s origins take us to 2005: the moment Page Hodel encountered Madalene Rodriguez and fell “instantly, dizzyingly in…
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Alex Grey’s Transcendental Vision of Death and Grief
Visionary artist Alex Grey depicts consciousness beyond the human form at the moment of deathAlex Grey’s visionary artwork reflects a unique insight into the nature of death, grief and consciousness. Many of his paintings depict human subjects with seemingly transparent skin, the color and dimensions of their anatomy reflected in their environment. In the painting “Dying,” we see many eyes surrounding the person on their deathbed, the translucent eyes…
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Our Weekly Tip: Practice Left Nostril Breathing to Calm a Grieving Body and Mind
Use the ancient science of Kundalini Yoga to reduce grief-related stressOur Weekly Tip: Grief is mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually complex, but the way we take care of ourselves during this tender time doesn’t need to be. The ancient holistic science of Kundalini Yoga includes a left-nostril breathing technique called Chandra Bhedana that is simple to learn and easy to practice any time, anywhere you…
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How Can Music Provide Comfort in End of Life? (Interview)
A music thanatologist talks about providing comfort at the end of lifeToday is an interview with Kieran Schnabel, a music thanatologist with SacredFlight (a not-for-profit charitable organization of certified music thanatologists). Kieran is located in Oregon, and grew up practicing and studying music. He is now a full time music thanatologist, and was kind enough to share some of his story — along with more information on music thanatology’s…
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“The Drop Box“
Documentary explores the purpose of life for abandoned childrenOn the surface, The Drop Box is straightforward: a touching documentary about an aging pastor in South Korea who dedicates his life to rescuing babies abandoned on the streets of Seoul. Yet it brings up far deeper questions about the meaning of life, and what it means to live. Rather than giving his child up…
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Ikipalin: The Dani Finger Amputation Ritual
The Dani of New Guinea traditionally practiced finger amputation when mourning the loss of loved oneThe experience of grief is an intensely physical one; grief is often accompanied by sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, digestive disruptions and cardiac problems. There are cultural practices around the world that believe intentional physical pain is an important part of expressing the emotional pain of grief and an essential part of the mourning process.…
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