Philosophy

     While working in hospice I discovered 'dying process,' which has become my passion.  To some that may sound morbid, but dying is all about living.  Studying the meaning of dying process is the same as studying the meaning of life... which is kind of a big subject.  It includes contemplating such widely diverse subjects as philosophy, theology, psychology, parapsychology, medicine, classical and quantum science, extrasensory perception and the nature of consciousness.  It is also a wide open field owing to the western tradition of keeping science and religion strictly separate.  In western academia any presumption of "life after death" is viewed as religious dogma, although this attitude is, in and of itself, a form of religious dogma, which amounts to a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black.  For some thoughts on this subject, click here and look for the essay, "On Religion."

     In my view death is neither the opposite nor the end of life... rather, it is an integral aspect of life. Specifically, it is one of life's many transitions.  Learning to die is not learning how to stop living, it is learning how to live more consciously... which makes sense since ultimately that is what we are; i.e. consciousness.

     I believe that dying process, like all transitions, is actually an accelerated learning process.  It is not advantageous to wait until we are dying to begin learning death's valuable lessons... quite the contrary.  As previously stated, dying process teaches us how to live.  Spend time with and studying the words and actions of dying people and you will see what I mean.

     Dying process forces us to contemplate whether our learned coping mechanisms are actually functional... as opposed to dysfunctional.  One of the primary mechanisms by which it (dying process) accomplishes this task is, it dissolves our social mask, thus revealing the person who has been hiding behind it.  As a cross-section of the general public, dying people are some of the most real, genuine and honest people you will ever meet.   

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"Truth sits upon the lips of dying men."

                                       Matthew Arnold

    My books help because they are based on real people in real-life situations, not on academic theory or religious doctrine. 

Welcome to the real world of dying process.

    Dying process follows logical, predictable patterns and is purposeful.  The goal of dying process is the same as the goal of life...

to learn who we are.

    We are consciousness with temporary bodies, not bodies with temporary consciousness.  The real you is not your body but something far more durable and eternal..

we are consciousness.

    Of course science does not know what consciousness is, but they're working on it... and making some progress I might add.  But the premise that we are consciousness has been taught by  great spiritual teachers throughout history and is now embraced by leading scientific thinkers.  

    If one assumes we are consciousness and not merely physical bodies, then dying process makes perfect sense... it is logical, purposeful and wondrous.  However, without this premise, dying process is perfectly senseless... just some bad stuff that happens shortly before we cease to exist. 

    For example:  It is quite common for dying people to see and speak to people we (the so-called "living") cannot see or hear... people who have gone before.  If you think death ends life then this common phenomenon is "hallucination" and dying people are just plain nuts.  But if you assume death does not end life then this phenomenon amounts to loved ones helping loved ones cross over.  While the former perspective is morbid, pessimistic and morose, the latter is hopeful, logical and really quite wondrous. 

How one looks at the world is a matter of choice.

    That is why so many people find my books comforting and helpful.  My books reflect a logical, hopeful and wondrous reality. 

    You will never read anything about "end of life care" in my books.  First, because that term and what it implies is a rather sick way of choosing to look at the world.  Second, it is not scientific fact at all, but rather an unproved personal doctrine  that defies cutting-edge science and causes unnecessary suffering.  And third, in all likelihood it is flat wrong.

    My books presume that we are highly complex beings who transcend this short-lived physical manifestation.  Only when viewed in this context does dying process make sense.