What do you think?
Rate this book
The Tao of Death: The Secret to a Rich & Meaningful Life
Find more joy and happiness in life with the simple practice of reading about death.
If you are like most people in our society, you are fearful of the idea of death and live in denial of the fact that you yourself will die one day. But those who work with dying patients, like hospice physician Dr. Karen Wyatt, have reported a lessening of fear and increase in joy after being exposed to death on a daily basis. You can experience this same remarkable shift in your own mindset by becoming aware of death and intentionally thinking about it every day and this book can help you accomplish that.
The Tao of Death is an adaptation of the Tao Te Ching, which was written by the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu more than 2000 years ago and has been called “the wisest book ever written.” Lao-Tzu’s verses are still relevant today and have inspired many spiritual seekers and teachers, including Dr. Wyatt who has used the Tao Te Ching in her own spiritual practice.
She wrote The Tao of Death, to focus specifically on the wisdom and spirituality of the dying process, which has long been ignored in Western society. From understanding death as a normal process in the cycle of life, to learning how to live fully and fearlessly, to recognizing the cosmic role of life and death, this important book is for anyone who wants less fear and more joy, love, and meaning in life. Each verse is filled with simple yet profound wisdom that can inspire deep contemplation and lead to new awareness about death and dying. By reading one verse a day you will gradually reduce your own fear of death as you become comfortable with the impermanence of life.
“This little book could change everything in your life! Indeed, it is my hope that ultimately our entire society will be transformed by the contemplation of death.”
Get The Tao of Death now and begin the journey to greater joy!
-Karen Wyatt MD, from the Introduction
If you are like most people in our society, you are fearful of the idea of death and live in denial of the fact that you yourself will die one day. But those who work with dying patients, like hospice physician Dr. Karen Wyatt, have reported a lessening of fear and increase in joy after being exposed to death on a daily basis. You can experience this same remarkable shift in your own mindset by becoming aware of death and intentionally thinking about it every day and this book can help you accomplish that.
The Tao of Death is an adaptation of the Tao Te Ching, which was written by the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu more than 2000 years ago and has been called “the wisest book ever written.” Lao-Tzu’s verses are still relevant today and have inspired many spiritual seekers and teachers, including Dr. Wyatt who has used the Tao Te Ching in her own spiritual practice.
She wrote The Tao of Death, to focus specifically on the wisdom and spirituality of the dying process, which has long been ignored in Western society. From understanding death as a normal process in the cycle of life, to learning how to live fully and fearlessly, to recognizing the cosmic role of life and death, this important book is for anyone who wants less fear and more joy, love, and meaning in life. Each verse is filled with simple yet profound wisdom that can inspire deep contemplation and lead to new awareness about death and dying. By reading one verse a day you will gradually reduce your own fear of death as you become comfortable with the impermanence of life.
“This little book could change everything in your life! Indeed, it is my hope that ultimately our entire society will be transformed by the contemplation of death.”
Get The Tao of Death now and begin the journey to greater joy!
-Karen Wyatt MD, from the Introduction
- GenresSpirituality
95 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2016
About the author
Karen M. Wyatt
6 books19 followersThis author is also published as Karen Wyatt.
KAREN WYATT MD SPENT YEARS AS A DOCTOR caring for patients in challenging settings, such as hospices, nursing homes and indigent clinics before she left medicine to pursue a new career as an author, speaker, and podcaster. She draws on her years of medical experience in the stories she includes in her narrative non-fiction books, which focus on the everyday spiritual lessons we all need to learn in order to live our best lives. She is the host of the popular End-of-Life University Podcast and has inspired thousands of people to find love and joy in the midst of difficult times. Check out her website at http://www.eoluniversity.com and her online reading group A Year of Reading Dangerously.
KAREN WYATT MD SPENT YEARS AS A DOCTOR caring for patients in challenging settings, such as hospices, nursing homes and indigent clinics before she left medicine to pursue a new career as an author, speaker, and podcaster. She draws on her years of medical experience in the stories she includes in her narrative non-fiction books, which focus on the everyday spiritual lessons we all need to learn in order to live our best lives. She is the host of the popular End-of-Life University Podcast and has inspired thousands of people to find love and joy in the midst of difficult times. Check out her website at http://www.eoluniversity.com and her online reading group A Year of Reading Dangerously.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Want to Read
April 26, 2024ChatGPT-4 is so interested in spirituality and cats. Here's what it wrote when I asked it to compose a Taoist poem from a kitten's point of view, celebrating its quest to become one with the Tao of killing.
The Feline Embodiment of Tao
In the whisper of the twilight, I hone my silent way,
Shadow's cloak wrapped tight round me, as night usurps the day.
Whiskers sense the life force's dance, a rhythm so divine,
Stalking grace, my paws advance, in this sacred play, entwine.
Nature's pulse within my veins, a tug to which I yield,
A gentle bow, life's precious gains, on this, the feral field.
The ebb and flow of Tao so clear, in chase and quiet thrill,
My purpose kindled, ever near, my essence to fulfil.
The flutter of a heart, a pounce, a ballet of the kill,
Not malice, but my role announce, aligned with Heaven's will.
With silent prayer, respect I pay, to spirits that I glean,
For in the art of nature's way, I am serene, unseen.
Each breath in stillness, I partake in Tao's unspoken creed,
To follow where the instincts take, a kitten's quest indeed.
The cycle of the moon does wax, it wanes with solemn hue,
With every graceful claw that tracks, I am the Tao, anew.
The Feline Embodiment of Tao
In the whisper of the twilight, I hone my silent way,
Shadow's cloak wrapped tight round me, as night usurps the day.
Whiskers sense the life force's dance, a rhythm so divine,
Stalking grace, my paws advance, in this sacred play, entwine.
Nature's pulse within my veins, a tug to which I yield,
A gentle bow, life's precious gains, on this, the feral field.
The ebb and flow of Tao so clear, in chase and quiet thrill,
My purpose kindled, ever near, my essence to fulfil.
The flutter of a heart, a pounce, a ballet of the kill,
Not malice, but my role announce, aligned with Heaven's will.
With silent prayer, respect I pay, to spirits that I glean,
For in the art of nature's way, I am serene, unseen.
Each breath in stillness, I partake in Tao's unspoken creed,
To follow where the instincts take, a kitten's quest indeed.
The cycle of the moon does wax, it wanes with solemn hue,
With every graceful claw that tracks, I am the Tao, anew.
December 29, 2016
I enjoy reading a page day and then savoring the words allowing them to sink in and provide meaning for my life. There are 81 short passages, so reading it slowly is easy. An excerpt from passage one is a wonderful overview of how the book inspires me:
"When you learn the Way of Death
you will no longer fear the future.
When you live without fear
you will shine your light freely.
This is how you will change the world."
"When you learn the Way of Death
you will no longer fear the future.
When you live without fear
you will shine your light freely.
This is how you will change the world."
May 8, 2022
Simple daily meditations. Whether you're moving steadily along or if you're overwhelmed, these meditations are do-able. Not specifically any religion, could be used to support your own study.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews