Death Is But A Dream
The Bodhi Tree in Prospect, Kentucky, is one of my very favorite stores. There is a range of spiritual and wellness goods, and if you're interested in numerology or, palm reading, or even reiki, they have too. I was fortunate to catch the owner, Monica De La Torte, one day. I stopped in shortly after they opened. She has such a lovely and inviting demeanor. It's easy to feel right at home in The Bodhi Tree no matter your reason for being there. Monica shared with me an excellent array of products and gifts that nurture the should and, of course, promote healing.
Among the many offerings at The Bodhi Tree, I was particularly impressed by their collection of grief resources. That's when I noticed the book "Death is But a Dream" by Dr. Christopher Kerr, a hospice and palliative care physician. I remember seeing this book somewhere, maybe online or on TV, and hearing that it was an excellent read. I decided right then and there to purchase it, knowing my stack of books to read was feeling overwhelming. Monica shared with me also about the documentary she produced based on the book which was even more intriguing.
Now for a quick summary of the book! "Death is But a Dream" is an exploration into the final stages of life. Dr. Kerr shares compelling stories from his patients, revealing the dreams and visions they experience as they approach death. These experiences, often dismissed as hallucinations, are shown to be deeply meaningful and comforting to those who are dying. Through meticulous and intense research and heartfelt narratives from family members, hospice patients, and care team members, Dr. Kerr illustrates that these visions are not random but are often filled with familiar faces, places, and events that bring a sense of peace and closure to the dying.
Understanding what goes through the hearts and minds of those who are in the process of dying is crucial for providing compassionate care. Dr. Kerr emphasizes the importance of not dismissing these visions as mere byproducts of a deteriorating brain. Instead, these experiences should be acknowledged and respected as a natural and meaningful part of the dying process. By recognizing the significance of these dreams and visions, caregivers and loved ones can offer better emotional support and help ease the transition from life to death.
Dr. Kerr writes, "It was ultimately the remarkable incidence of pre-death dreams and visions among my dying patients that made me realize how significant a phenomenon this was, both at a clinical and a human level. As a hospice doctor, I have been at the bedsides of thousands of patients who, in the face of death, speak of love, meaning, and grace. They reveal that there is often hope beyond cure as they transition from a focus on treatment to notions of personal meaning. As illness advances, grace and grit collide and bring new insight to those dying and their loved ones, insight that is often paradoxically life-affirming. This experience includes pre-death dreams and visions that are manifestations of this time of integration and coming into oneself. These are powerful and stirring experiences that occur in the last days or hours of life and that constitute moments of genuine insight and vivid re-centering for patients. They often mark a clear transition from distress to acceptance, a sense of tranquility and wholeness for the dying. Patients consistently describe them as "more real than real," and they are each as unique as the individual having them.
"Death is But a Dream" is a touching and insightful read that challenges our perceptions of death and dying. I recommend Dr. Kerr's book for anyone who is experiencing grief, those looking to understand what hospice care team members observe with patients, and those individuals looking to understand more about end-of-life experiences.
