Dropping Wood, Spilling Water: Illness, Disability, and Aging as Paths for Consciousness and Being

"Beautiful perspective and reminder about the importance (and power) of gratitude!" "In all of your posts, ...I hear your sweet empathy and gentle searching, and your struggle to continue to be present." "... here's wishing you health and strength. Your words are an inspiration to us all." "How do we best love those around us as time takes its course? Your words heal.""...your wonderfully caring writings and insights into illness have surely helped legions of people. You have given us all a special gift..."Dropping Wood, Spilling Water: Chronic Illness, Disability, and Aging as Paths of Consciousness and Being is a series of reflections, intimate and direct, encompassing one year of living with my chronic illness--multiple sclerosis, diagnosed nearly forty years ago--and its effects on my family, in particular my "well partner" caregiver and wife of five decades whose voice is present, as well. My experience of illness is influenced by a half century of study and work with traditions of consciousness, as well as my practice as a psychotherapist. While still acknowledging our differences, regardless of diagnosis or degree of disability those of us who suffer anguish of the body have much in common. Chronic illness, aging, and death are among the losses that everyone will experience sooner or later. Fortunately, the pattern of a life, whatever the loss, is not visible until the carpet is fully woven. And there are ways of thinking and choices we make that can lessen our pain and help heal our sorrow. In fact, for some of us, what appears to be a catastrophic event may be the start of a journey that opens doors leading toward a richer and more meaningful existence. I think you will find value in Dropping Wood, Spilling Water: Chronic Illness, Disability, and Aging as Paths of Consciousness and Being; even if only a few paragraphs are helpful I shall be glad. It is true that much illness cannot be cured and, as time inexorably moves on, we lose mobility and strength. But it is also a fact that we are not doomed to lives of ongoing suffering. Religious teachings and spiritual traditions agree that suffering is at the core of being human. They teach, as well, that our attitudes and actions toward our hardships are the means through which we nurture our souls.We can consider the life values that tilt us toward a good, although in some ways limited, life. Dropping Wood, Spilling Water: Chronic Illness, Disability, and Aging as Paths of Consciousness and Being explores many topics with clarity, compassion, and wit, making this collection not simply a manual to decrease pain, but a unique conversation to move us toward more conscious being.