Graceful Passages: A Companion for Living and Dying [With 2 CDs]

Death is not an easy Passage. Seventeen years years of caring for hospice and hospital patients have taught me that. While the dying process has the potential for tremendous meaning, beauty, and sacredness, it is also deeply human. This Companion is an illustration of each of those qualities. For myself as a professional caregiver, this selection of words, music, and printed pages continually stirs my heart. The package includes a book that features text from several wisdom and faith traditions. The text is read with accompanying beautiful - indeed, haunting - music on CD1. The second CD has just the instrumentation. These CDs are masterfully produced: the music, the readings, the production itself. No sacrifice was made in quality or in meaning. MIchael Stillwater and Gary Malkin have done an enormous service in preparing this deeply human and humane collection of words and music. It is well worth the money spent on it. I have had the privilege of hearing Michael speak twice at seminars for the health care system of which I am part. He has an amazing sense of intuition about what will speak to people and what touches them. On both occasions, staff spoke of his giftedness and blessing to each of us. It should be noted that there are numerous traditions represented on the CD, as well as styles of music. While I consider myself a fairly inclusive person, I initially found myself really wanting to hear readings from traditions more familiar to myself (just being honest here). But, as I listened, I began to take increasing levels of comfort from these other Wisdoms. Indeed, they were quite rich in their meaning. I can see though, that someone at the time of life's end might not want to be "dipping their feet into new waters." Particularly those of more fundamentalist traditions may find this harder to embrace. One can always listen to the instrumental CD, though. Of the two CDs, I find myself missing whichever CD I don't have on at the moment. The instrumentation along with the voices of those from other geographies and traditions offers it's own solace, so I want on the Reading CD. But, then I want on just the instrumentation CD because I can work well with just the music playing. Of the media that this occasionally soul-tired old chaplain values, this package is the most frequently turned to. Not a week passes by that it isn't on in my office. If I need something to lift my heart, this is what I listen to. That's been true for a year now. And, I'm moving into my second year...

I do not have words strong enough to express my admiration and appreciation of this CD. The music is gorgeous and the words are very spiritual. The combination is very moving and full of love. This CD has the power to transform. It would be a bargain at 4 times the price, and I do not say this lightly.

If there were only one CD in the whole world, I would want it to be this one. It is so moving; so full of LIFE and LOVE and WISDOM.

Graceful Passages: A Companion For Living And Dying is a collection of sensitive readings from a variety of sources on the experience of mortality, set to timeless music of compassion. Transitions are spoken about in hopeful, wise words. The set includes two CD's as well as a book of lyrics. One CD plays both readings and music and the other simply plays the musical backgrounds, appropriate for meditation background. Readers and performers include Ram Dass Arum and Sunenda Ghandhi, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Lew Epstein, Sam Keene, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jyoti, and many others. Drawing on a rich variety of religious traditions, Graceful Passages is a beautiful tool to aid those experiencing loss or difficult transitions. Its healing qualities are evident throughout.Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

A landmark work of healing for those facing life-threatening illness. Graceful Passages is a work of the highest integrity that provides the deep comfort and solace of wise words and heart opening music for the often uncharted waters of attending the dying. By featuring the voices of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and the others, it provides soothing support offered by a whole sacred circle of mentor guides available at any hour of need.