How to be a Companion on the Path | May 2023 | National Sangha

How to be a Companion at the End of Life
Special Training for the Rigpa sangha

Friday 19 May - Sunday 21 May 

For someone who has prepared and practiced, death comes not as a defeat but as a

triumph, the crowning and most glorious moment of life.

~ Sogyal Rinpoche

When we deeply reflect on the profound understanding of death and dying in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, we find ourselves considering what is needed to support our own preparation for dying.

At the same time, another immediate concern is how can we compassionately support others, such as our family and friends, should they be facing serious illness and dying. A terminal illness affects the whole family and close friends, often bringing with it enormous changes and spiritual questions.

So how can we best accompany anyone, perhaps a fellow Buddhist practitioner who asks for support? How do we best accompany friends and family, who may not be Buddhist, but who also need support?

This course explores how the spiritual, emotional and practical aspects of caring for those facing death will come together in this special journey of companionship. Although we cannot change the course of dying, by being prepared and aware of what is possible, we can affect the process of dying for the better. We can offer to be there as a companion to whoever needs our support in the situation.

Being a companion at the end of life draws on three sources:
1. The Buddhist teachings about death and dying.
2. Our own experience of looking into the mirror of death; and exploring a personal understanding about death and impermanence, while caring for others.
3. The best practices of spiritual care derived from palliative care and the hospice movement for accompanying those facing serious illness and death.

The course will include compassion reflections, meditation, and experiential spiritual care exercises. We will also have time for discussion, questions and sharing our experiences, both in small and large groups. These different ways of learning will help participants fully explore the topics.

Topics covered:

• Being a companion, how to accompany those who are dying
• Understanding the four primary spiritual concerns of those facing death
• Compassionate responses to the spiritual needs of dying person
• Applying the skill of listening and holding compassionate space
• Providing resilience for the carer, to prevent burnout and reduce exhaustion.
• Exploring spiritual practices for those who are dying.

Details

Dates

Friday 19 May, 6-9pm Australian Eastern Standard Time

Saturday 20 May, 4-9pm Australian Eastern Standard Time

Sunday 21 May, 4-8pm Australian Eastern Standard Time

Locations: This nationally coordinated course will be offered in person in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle Canberra, Adelaide and online for the Bush Telegraph sangha. Because of the subject matter and in order to create a safe environment and hold attendees, we encourage you to attend in person, if at all possible. As streaming numbers will be restricted for this event, priority will be given to Australian Bush Telegraph members.

Prerequisites for attendance: A Rigpa course or retreat AND attendance at a one day ‘Are You Ready?’ course.

Course Fee including 10% GST: Full: $165, Rigpa Member/Subscriber: $88, Concession: $88.

Materials will be emailed after registration. These will be provided for those attending at centres or in groups.