This book has a foreword by Pim van Lommel and an afterword by Peter Fenwick, which is a strong recommendation in itself. The author is an experienced hospice worker who helped Peter with his research in Holland. Pim sees the process of acceptance and surrender as essential to dying and a time for reconciliation and resolution by way of inner preparation. The general pattern is one of transition from one reality to another, as also reported in earlier studies. The dying frequently find themselves between two worlds, as becomes apparent from the many extracts in this book. The short chapters cover a wide variety of themes also found in Peter’s earlier work but in more detail. Hospice workers have a special role to play, especially if they are aware of the kinds of experiences related in this book. An important insight is the need to slow down and become calm, something we can all apply before we face this transition ourselves, making time for silence. The experiences are charged with meaning and convey a very different understanding of death to contemporary neuroscience. In a chapter on the process of dying, I found it particularly interesting to read about the departure of the five elements from the physical body as it dehydrates and is unable to maintain proper circulation. Air is the final element to leave as we breathe our last. This is a sensitive and highly informative book.
Thanks for your lovely book. It is a heart-felt work that will bring much light, love and comfort to this world.
A dignified, clear and calm book, offering transparency and tranquillity. A book that stimulates physicians, medical caretakers, relatives and next of kin, in being open and receptive in their attitude towards the process of dying that those that they are looking after are going through. But in the end certainly also towards their own inevitable and imminent dying process and death.
What is important, and what to me makes Ineke Koedam's book convincing and accessible, as well as down to earth, is the very fact, that she doesn't hesitate to name that dying also has its distressing, frightening, and less agreeable sites. Ineke Koedam has written a meaningful book. A book contributing to a better understanding of the process of dying. All too often, these days, death is not accepted and is avoided for as long as possible. We often expect or even demand of the medical world the miracle of delay, upon delay, upon delay, and, at all times and costs more and more treatment. The fact that, during the process of dying, an entirely different sort of "miracle", and that amazing moments can occur, often cannot even be perceived or experienced due to a fear of death.
Ineke's book, especially her own observations, encourage us to re-discover the Ars Moriendi - The Art of Dying. The title maybe of her next book - following up on Peter Fenwick? Here and there the reader is treated to surprising elements, such as poetry, prose and religious songs. "Sometimes circumstances can arise above themself in such a way, that matters fall in place, that we become aware of the certain order, where everything (involving death), although seemingly unfathomable, makes sense and has a meaning". With these words, Ineke establishes a connection between the phase of the process of dying and our own "every day life". Which is a valuable connection and a added value.
In short: gems of remarks and observations that shed a light on the process of dying. Hopefully Governments and the Medical World are encouraged to assume a serving, instead of a "grabbing" attitude (think of organ donation harshly and shamelessly intruding of the process of dying).
When reading this book, you wish that everyone nearing his or her end, be treated with the same dignity and utter respect as is the case in hospices. "Dying... is not just something that occurs, it is a process." With her book Ineke encourages a deeper awareness of that process.
Reading Ineke's book profoundly moved and enriched me. Don't miss reading it!
In the Light of Death is a conglomeration of personal accounts by nurses, employees, as well as volunteers in hospice environments who are surrounded by the transition of death. Some of these experiences have been pleasant, some fearful, others very educational. All have one thing in common; we will all experience death one way or another and after reading this book it allows you to become more open minded and accept death as part of life. The Author, Ineke Koedam, has a pleasant way of making it a topic we can start talking about, and isn't that what we should be doing? I highly recommend this book to Hospice workers or anyone closely related to death; It brings peace and understanding and a little less fearful of the unknown.
The world needs a book like this. Especially now that reports of Near Death Experiences and Death Bed Coincidences are heightening our awareness of a greater and endless consciousness, it is time for the Western world to regain sensitivity to that most mysterious gate that opens up in the presence of the departing, and to the events that may accompany this passage. Based on true experiences on the edge of life and death, this book will offer much hope, insight and consolation to all those who are preparing either to leave this world, or to guide their loved ones in the final and greatest transition that is the art of dying.
In the light of dying is a fantastic book. This book is for many a handle in the care for the dying but also to learn how to deal with the passing of a loved one. The book is gripping from beginning to end. In such a way that you immediately think back to any private experiences. It gives new insights. Many people have questions about death. For the one is the frightening, for the other it is one big mystery whether one is curious as to what comes next. I'm sure this book can take away some of their questions and uncertainty. I wish that more people will accompany their loved ones in the last phase of life. I can highly recommend this book.
What a wonderful book! Written with a lot of love and care. I read it in almost one go. And interim having tears of emotion. But it's also a soft book that gives a soft and powerful image of what dying can do with us, how it elevates us to a loving dimension.
In addition to the books on near death experiences (NDE) the book by Koedam about end of life Experiences (LEE) is a direct hit. The book is nicely finished issued and the content is important and fascinating. The experience of dying, family caregivers, and hospice staff can help people trusting that life after our death in one way or another-lighter and joy fuller-continuing. Such as Rabindranath Tagore wrote: death is not extinguishing the light, but blowing out the lamp because the day has come. I sincerely hope this book reaches many people and in support.
The book is easy to read and gives in addition to the special experiences of the hospice staff, also understanding in the process of dying. It's not an easy topic to write about. It is nice to read how quiet and attentive care can soften and offer comfort. Ineke Koedam draws the events told in a broader perspective by background information and asks questions in an open way. Spirituality as part of the experience is discussed, in which all the room is left for a private position. Through the careful description of the events you get a look at a wider world of dying and death. We all get to do with death, this book is inspiring and helping to share your own experiences, to dialogue and to prepare you for your own death. To read through this book you realize again, now with a feeling of lightness that death is part of our lives.