Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 pm ET 

Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 / Nov 5, 12, 19, 26 / Dec 3, 10

Suggested Donation $10

About the Book Group

In this book group, we will explore Andrew Holecek’s book, Preparing to Die: Practical Advice and Spiritual Wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition. This book is highly recommended by accomplished Buddhist teachers, end-of-life care professionals and their caregivers. This book group is open to all levels of experience.

Breakdown of Group Sessions

*Please read the forward and introduction of the book before attending the first session

October 1: Introductions and group discussion

October 8: Chapter 1. What to Do For Yourself Before You Die

October 15: Chapter 2. What You Can Do For Others Before They Die

October 22: Chapter 3. What to Do For Yourself As You Die

October 29: Chapter 4. What to Do For Others As They Die

November 5: Chapter 5. What to Do For Yourself After You Die

November 12: Chapter 6. What to Do For Others After They Die

November 19: Chapter 7. Before Death Approaches

November 26: Chapter 8. Caring for the Dying

December 3: Chapter 9. After Death

December 10: Chapter 10. Difficult Issues: Organ Donation, Euthanasia, Suicide, Abortion/Miscarriage, Death of a Pet, Conclusion

Included in the Group

• An opportunity for meditation, discussion, and connecting as a community 
• An opportunity to discuss topics such as death and dying in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition
• An opportunity to explore Tibetan Buddhist rites, rituals, and customs
• Meditation, discussion, and Q&A

What You will Gain

• Experience to enrich your understanding of death and dying
• A deeper appreciation of impermanence that reduces attachment, anxiety, suffering and emotional reactivity
• An opportunity to share your experience in a supportive community
• An opportunity to practice in the comfort of your own home and/or practice space

Required Reading Material

*The book will not be shared electronically. Please purchase the book from your own preferred vendor. Preparing to Die: Practical Advice and Spiritual Wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition by Andrew Holecek

Prerequisites

Open to all.

About the Teachers

Alley Smith is a Buddhist Minister of Religion (Upadhyaya) in the Shambhala Lineage. She serves as a Chaplain at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. She also holds precepts in Zen Buddhism. Alley is a US military war veteran. She specializes in spiritual care, mortuary affairs and as a funeral clergy. Alley has been a student of Shambhala Buddhism and Zen since 1999.  

Email: [email protected]

Christopher Darwin has a BA in both religious studies and sociology. He is a meditation practitioner and teacher for many years. He utilizes dream study for spiritual development. Darwin has traveled extensively visiting six of the seven continents. He is embarking on a Master in Divinity at Naropa University with the intent working in the field of palliative end-of-life care. He has been a student of Shambhala Buddhism since 2010.