Hanging Out with Death: Stories from a Hospice Nurse about the Power of Facing Death with Appreciation, Gentleness and Humor

These informal events serve as an introduction to our Center, to Shambhala Buddhism and the practice of peaceful abiding meditation, as well as an opportunity for our current friends and members to share in the Dharma.

 Our guest speaker for August is Janet Ryvlin, R.N.  Her program is entitled:

Hanging Out with Death:

Stories from a Hospice Nurse about the Power of Facing Death with Appreciation, Gentleness and Humor

Is it possible to relax with the idea of death and loss? In a culture that denies death at every turn, there is little support for the idea that death is a natural part of life, that it doesn't have to be a tragedy. To experience our feelings about death and loss takes courage and an open heart. We can look at the reality of impermanence with a gentle and appreciative eye and even have glimpses of true acceptance of death as an integral part of being human.

 Janet Ryvlin has been a student of Buddhism and Shambhala since 1976 and currently holds the positions of Director, Societal Health and Well-Being and Governing Council Member at the Sonoma Shambhala Center.  She's been an Oncology/Chemotherapy RN for 25 years and a Hospice Nurse for 15 years.