Skip to main content

My Senior Group Last week

I run a senior health forum in the village of Del Mar. I have always loved groups as I believe that there is a power that comes when a group of individuals come together and share life and open their hearts to each other. This definitely happened last week when we welcomed Reverend Nancy Conklin to our group. Nancy is a Unity minister and works as a hospice chaplain for San Diego Hospice. She and I became friends several years ago when she would bring a lady from her parish to my senior group at Scripps. She was part of our group for 3 years. During this time she became a hospice chaplain and has now been working for San Diego Hospice for 3 years. She is no average person. She has light that comes out of her that is so bright and so loving that anyone around her feels joy, peace and positivity. She brought her usual energy to our group and literally lit us up.

Mind you, we were talking about hospice and the end of life. While this can be a heavy topic, our session was anything but heavy. She took all the fear out of dying. She spoke of the peace that comes with the freedom associated with the end of suffering. She was not "pollyanna"; she was real and we all felt it. She spoke of being with hundreds of dying patients at the moment of their passing and this was universal; peace comes. There may be struggle, discomfort and pain during the dying process but it always gives way to peace. She is human; she doesn't know where we go after we die but she has a faith that is stronger than anything or anyone I have ever met.

I walked away changed. I think the seniors did too. When the #1 fear in life melts away into nothingness, we can be free to truly live and to live freer and less afraid. We got a gift. The world needs to hear that gift. It can change lives. Thank you Nancy.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hello Mark, It's Julie Hinze here. I always love reading your posts. I just returned from Bhutan to see my daughter who teaches 6th grade there. I have a good story to tell you of a healing lama that I visited there. I am seeing Brian Bouch (Anita Diamondstein's husband) She was the lady who died in July. I was supposed to go to Australia with her. She didn't make it. She had Malaria and the Doctors at the cancer center were treating her for her cancer. Brian is going to have lunch with us on Friday, and you are invited too. He is visiting here because he is attending a medical conference. Remember when you worked there, we would all sit around talking and you were her doctor? A lot has changed for you since then. I trust you are doing well!

Popular posts from this blog

Connecting to the World

This is a picture from the Eucalyptus Grove At UCSD -- my dogs' favorite walk. Upon our return from our adventure, I read this from Buddhist psychologist, Rick Hanson. I really resonate with this aspect of connection. Connecting is in 3 directions -- inside with oneself, with others and with the world. When we strengthen one direction, we simultaneously strengthen our general connection. This is guidance to connect more deeply with the world. What makes you feel connected? I'd like to know.   Are we really so separate? The Practice   Love the world. Why?   Your brain evolved in three stages (to simplify a complex process): Reptile - Brainstem, focused on AVOIDING harm Mammal - Limbic system, focused on APPROACHING rewards Primate - Cortex, focused on ATTACHING to "us" With a fun use (to me, at least) of animal themes, the first JOT in this series -  pet the lizard  - was about how to soothe the most ancient structures of the...

New Direction

I have used this website for several purposes. First, I used it to discover the magic of the internet and the power of cyber-connection. I realized my love of writing and found my voice. Next, I documented my own personal healing which was a combination of the miracle of technological advance with the development of a new perception of an old malady. I then documented my "comeback" and return to health and well-being and the wide variety of learning and experiences which facilitated my steady progress. Next, I used the site to help me create a vision of the doctor I wanted to be and the practice I wished to offer. More recently, I have continued to clarify my thoughts and feelings on the essential components of healing. Now, I wish to again re-focus and concentrate on what I believe from my deepest knowing to be the new paradigm in medicine. I have worked in and studied our "broken" system and love it for the miracles it has brought and continues to bring. However, ...

A Guest Post from Jenna Walters

Tai Chi for Health Tai Chi is a secret weapon in the battle against the physical and mental demands of life. It has been able to help improve health in individuals with illnesses ranging from peritoneal mesothelioma to migraines . Its quiet and slow movements bring a calm balance to the mind. It also brings strength and balance to the body. Tai Chi demands very little from its participants. The focus is on body awareness and deep breathing. Its stretching is soft and fluid and its movements are low-impact. Young, old, athletic, or the rehabilitating can all gain better health with Tai Chi. Studies have shown that Tai Chi improves physical health . Although the movements are slow and require no added weight, those that practice Tai Chi become stronger in both upper and lower body. There is also proof that flexibility and balance are improved. The fact that the gentleness of this exercise has such positive results makes it perfect for the unfit, the elderly and for those recovering f...