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Grace and Grit: Spirituality and Healing in the Life and Death of Treya Killam Wilber
by
Ken Wilber
"Here is a new edition - with a new introduction - of the deeply moving account of the five-year journey of philosopher Ken Wilber and his wife, Treya Killam Wilber, through Treya's illness, treatment, and death. Ken's wide-ranging commentary, which questions conventional and New Age approaches to illness, is combined with Treya's journals to create this portrait of h...more
Paperback, 504 pages
Published
November 17th 1992
by Shambhala
(first published 1991)
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My dear cousin lent me her copy of this book a few months back and at the time told me it was one of her all-time favorite books -- now after completing it myself -- I completely understand why.
This has to be one of the most emotionally touching and spiritually rewarding books I have ever read. As well as one of the most sincere and amazing love stories I could ever imagine.
It offers such personal insight into the dying process - but even more so into how that process can change o...more
This has to be one of the most emotionally touching and spiritually rewarding books I have ever read. As well as one of the most sincere and amazing love stories I could ever imagine.
It offers such personal insight into the dying process - but even more so into how that process can change o...more
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I'm reading this book for class. It's not my favorite book. I want to like it, for I think it should have something somewhat profound to say about death, dying and the "mystical" experience. But Wilber comes off as being highly impressed by his own ideas... and, from my perspective at least, he seems to misunderstand some of the teachings he's trying to interpret. Or, at least, he picks and chooses the interpretations he likes and manipulates other info so that it fits into his own ide...more
The last two chapters of this book are just me bawling like a baby, second time around maybe worse than the first. But it leaves one with this burning passion to be alive and with a determination to interact with all minds, including one's own, with a sense of equanimity and joy underlying it all...just fantastic. Inspiring shit, and Wilber's own flaws and doubts and fears being raw and out there just serve to enhance the feeling of empathy and compassion (at least for me). That said, can't give...more
I think yo will like this book if you are interested in spirituality, especially non-conventional spirituality, caregiving, cancer, or tearjerkers.
OK-- here is the basic premise of the book. This part is not really a spoiler as you can get this from the book jacket.
Backstory:
Ken Wilber is a very well known theorist in the area of transpersonal psychology, which is a synthesis of Western psychology and Eastern phlosophy. (He remarks sarcastically this is like being...more
OK-- here is the basic premise of the book. This part is not really a spoiler as you can get this from the book jacket.
Backstory:
Ken Wilber is a very well known theorist in the area of transpersonal psychology, which is a synthesis of Western psychology and Eastern phlosophy. (He remarks sarcastically this is like being...more
Amit
added it
Bringing Ken Wilber to life.
Well, that might be a bit rude to state, he is very much alive in any case. In this book though, you get to meet parts of this philosopher/thinker/'synthesizer' that you hardly find in any of his other books. It is a naked portrait of the pain that we all struggle with, the pain of loss of a loved one. In this case this struggle is paralleled with a constant strive to understand what life is all about. Needless to say this question could hardly be more burning ...more
Well, that might be a bit rude to state, he is very much alive in any case. In this book though, you get to meet parts of this philosopher/thinker/'synthesizer' that you hardly find in any of his other books. It is a naked portrait of the pain that we all struggle with, the pain of loss of a loved one. In this case this struggle is paralleled with a constant strive to understand what life is all about. Needless to say this question could hardly be more burning ...more
This is a favorite book of mine read some years ago that tapped into my emotions more than any book I have ever read. It traces Treya (Ken Wilber's wife) and her journey with cancer, including various treatments and her death. It combines perspective between Treya's journals and Wilber's commentary to provide a deeply moving account of their 5-year journey, contemplating health, healing and wholeness, suffering, surrender and spirituality. This woman powerfully went through a hero's journey -...more
Honest and intimate journey encompassing living with and treating breast cancer told from both the patient's perspective, and her caregiver's perspective (said husband/caregiver being preeminent philosopher Ken Wilber), including the ride of their relationship through sickness and relative health, and their journey into healing approaches and spiritual practices. Excellent information on the world's spiritual traditions and practices. A love song to the Self, and an intimate glimpse into the he...more
When Ken and Treya met it was love at first touch. They just hugged and hugged. A few months later they were married. 10 days after marrying they found out that Treya had breast cancer. This is the story of how they dealt with the cancer, the treatment and Treya's final days. It deals honestly with the pain and the overwhelming work that dealing with cancer can be both for the patient and the caregiver. Ken is a writer and philosopher and this is quite clearly reflected in the book while the two...more
Recommended by a good friend I love and respect, a psychologist by profession and warm and sensitive spirit by nature, when she heard my brother was battling pancreatic cancer.
It took me a long time -- 3 years, actually -- to get to this book. I have to admit, the reason was that I was afraid to read it. My friend lent me her copy during the months when my brother was being treated for cancer, and I didn't know if I would be able to handle reading about someone who lost her own battl...more
It took me a long time -- 3 years, actually -- to get to this book. I have to admit, the reason was that I was afraid to read it. My friend lent me her copy during the months when my brother was being treated for cancer, and I didn't know if I would be able to handle reading about someone who lost her own battl...more
written 7/7/04 after the death of my son isaak:
i just returned from warm sun rays in the back yard and a finished book that left me in tears. an old love sent this book to me, and the more i read it, the more reasoning for its arrival comes clear.
i can`t fully explain the emotion that sits upon my chest at the moment. but i can share a few passages that may make its way through.
from the book titled `grace and grit,' written by both ken wilber and his lost lo...more
i just returned from warm sun rays in the back yard and a finished book that left me in tears. an old love sent this book to me, and the more i read it, the more reasoning for its arrival comes clear.
i can`t fully explain the emotion that sits upon my chest at the moment. but i can share a few passages that may make its way through.
from the book titled `grace and grit,' written by both ken wilber and his lost lo...more
An exceptionally powerful and emotionally deep book by one of America's most important living thinkers / philosophers. This true story book is so intensely personal in the chronicles of Ken's wife's death, that it left me devastated with empathy. Only after a while did I start to let the lessons sink in so as to be a little more prepared when/if I have to care for a loved one up against a mortal struggle with cancer like Ken and Treya were. This is not light reading.
I am giving this book 3 stars now and at one point in my life I would have given it 5. So We'll call it a 4. This is his best book as it is obviously quite personal. All his other books are giant philosophical/spiritual tomes that are useful for a very specific crowd but also quite... well he likes to hear himself talk it all out.
If you are at all interested in eastern or new age spirituality - trans-personal psychology this may really be right up your alley.
If you are at all interested in eastern or new age spirituality - trans-personal psychology this may really be right up your alley.
This is the story of a couple who finds out about the wife's cancer within months of their wedding. The book is told from the husband's viewpoint with the addition of entries from the wife's journal from the time. It portrays the changes in their relationship and their spirituality as they explore different treatments for the cancer and ways of dealing with the many ways the illness impacts their lives. A remarkable book!
intense book about Ken Wilber, a celebrated spiritual teacher who marries Treya Wilber. A few days after their marriage, she is diagnosed with breast cancer.
It alternates between him writing and her writing, and it gave me a different perspective of a young person making sense of their disease. It is heartbreaking, for sure. And quite long to get through, but can probably skip around and still get the essence of the book.
It alternates between him writing and her writing, and it gave me a different perspective of a young person making sense of their disease. It is heartbreaking, for sure. And quite long to get through, but can probably skip around and still get the essence of the book.
Although this isn't a book I would normally read nor could I comfortably recommend to others - due to some of its vulgar language and the sharing of one experience Ken shares (which I felt the book could have been just fine without) it moved me deeply and permanently. Reading the book was a beautiful and incredibly enlightening experience.
Poignant account of Treya Wilber's journey through cancer and into passing on, written in both her husban's voice and via her own journals.
I found this book to be incredibly honest and emotionally rich. This is one of the few books by Ken Wilber that I could read straight through.
His other books are fascinating but so rich in complexity.
I found this book to be incredibly honest and emotionally rich. This is one of the few books by Ken Wilber that I could read straight through.
His other books are fascinating but so rich in complexity.
When one encounters the possibility of losing a loved one, it is the most honest and most raw moment to be experienced. Wilber "gritfully and gracefully" looks at the hardest decisions and moments in a couple's relationship and does not spare us from his own pain nor his growth through his wife's struggle with cancer and death.
I actually just re-read this book since I recommended it for my book club. I read it the first time over 10 years ago and wanted to re-visit it after my mom past away from cancer this year. It's a good book though dense. Ken likes to write and "hear" himself, for sure. But there are little gems in this book and it's worth getting through, even if you skip around to more of Treya's story and less of the in-depth, philosophy parts. Reading about the struggle of a couple going through suc...more
......powerful read for those who go through very difficult times themselves or love somebody who does..... when questions get no answers.....this book will take you on the journey to integrate on higher level of consciousness
amazing story of growing up to the fullness of life and death
however, Ken is one of the greatest mind in history of our time
he is worthy to read, this was his the most understandable book, for a simple mind as mine
however, Ken is one of the greatest mind in history of our time
he is worthy to read, this was his the most understandable book, for a simple mind as mine
Summarizes the important parts of Wilber's other books, without the overwritten pretension, and tells an inspiring story simultaneously. I refer back to it regularly.
This is a very inspiring, uplifting book of relationships and dealing with illness and loss. I have actually read it three times and learned something new each time.
One of my favourite books of all time. You get to know two inspirational beings and Treya's memory will be etched forever in the footsteps of my life.
I gave up on this one. Although parts of this book really appealed to me (I especially enjoyed the reflections on eastern and western philosophy and religion) I couldn't stand Ken Wilber's self-importance. For a book about spirituality and healing he seemed rather full of himself. Also, I was floored that he didn't dedicate at least more than one paragraph to when he hit/beat Treya. Not saying he needed to dwell on it or dedicate a chapter to it, but for being such an unsettling moment, he c...more
Parts of this are a bit strange ( way out there) but as a complementry guide to healing cancer ( even though spoiler... she died) and spiritual healing , its a good guide.
Amelia
rated it
This book fits into so many of my weird little categories! Stars cannot begin to express how helpful this book is to me at this moment.
Among the most honest and helpful meditations on the dying and grieving processes available.
Brilliant - a moving personal story with profound insights into the human condidtion
This is an intense book. Live each day because you never know what is around the corner.
I really loved this book even though you know she's dying from page one.
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Ken Wilber is the most widely translated academic writer in America, with 25 books translated into some 30 foreign languages, and is the first philosopher-psychologist to have his Collected Works published while still alive. Wilber is an internationally acknowledged leader and the preeminent scholar of the Integral stage of human development, which continues to gather momentum around the world. Hi...more
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