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 · 1,220 ratings  · 116 reviews

First your review of A Year to Live: How to Alive This Year equally If It Were Your Last

January 22, 2013 Rebecca rated it liked information technology

I stopped ownership books years agone out of a demand to save space and money and a desire to be more enviornmentally friendly. However, I would consider purchasing Levine's "A Year to Live" just so I could await at its spine on my bookshelf and remember the lessons contained therein. The strategy of "life review" and having mental conversations with those people who y'all take hurt or who have heart you were really, actually valuable tools that I've been using and have establish very worthwhile.
Even so, with I stopped buying books years ago out of a need to relieve infinite and money and a want to be more enviornmentally friendly. Notwithstanding, I would consider purchasing Levine'due south "A Year to Live" just so I could wait at its spine on my bookshelf and remember the lessons independent therein. The strategy of "life review" and having mental conversations with those people who y'all take hurt or who have heart you were actually, really valuable tools that I've been using and accept plant very worthwhile.
Yet, with the proficient comes the bad. Well-nigh of you know that I more often than not don't care for cocky-help or spirtual books precisley because I hate sentances like the following..."information technology is pure awareness before consciousness begins to stir. It is the space betwixt thoughts. It is the formlessness upon which class depends, the deathless which dies once more...." Although there are very concrete valuable strategies in this book on how to more fully live and be alive by preparing for death, there is enough of "goobedlykook" also. It is really hard piece of work to be enlightened and I guess I just don't want to work that hard.
I actually wanted to requite this book a three i/2. I liked it more than a little but less than a lot! ...more

Dec 09, 2008 Sharon rated it it was amazing

"The next time you have a cold, practice dying. And in the spaciousness of surrender watch the fear of death bound through with its bellboy scenarios. Have each jiff as though with it might be the last. Sentinel your life laissez passer before your eyes. Did you find something left undone? Do it on the next clear day. Practice living." (Quote from Affiliate two - Practice Dying) This volume gave me a great souvenir - an insight to who and why, ...and how and when. I started the journey thru death in an attempt t "The next time you have a cold, exercise dying. And in the spaciousness of surrender watch the fearfulness of decease bound through with its bellboy scenarios. Take each breath as though with it might be the last. Scout your life pass before your eyes. Did y'all notice something left undone? Practice it on the next articulate day. Practise living." (Quote from Chapter 2 - Practice Dying) This book gave me a great gift - an insight to who and why, ...and how and when. I started the journey thru death in an endeavor to heal from the deaths of my family. I constitute, every bit is stated in this chapter, I softened and connected to soften to brand room for my own life. I keep to soften, every bit I continue to reread this volume; each time exposing a new layer from the path of life into the transformation of an after life. ...more

Jan 18, 2016 Li rated it liked it

An interesting topic to explore, simply not sure he quite figured out how to really live like it was your last. He definitely has some insight into how to improve prepare yourself for death and talks a lot almost what death is and is not. Some of the chapters are redundant or purposeless. I do like many of the suggestions, such as forgiveness, life review and opening yourself up with meditations. An interesting read, but not enlightening.

I have seen a lot of violent decease in my life. Information technology ever perplexed me somewhat that information technology was someone else who caught information technology. This is more often than not part of a kind of survivor guilt that many gainsay veterans experience. My early life was too dominated past serious depression and suicide was an option that was on the table for decades. Now after vii years of adequately concentrated do and having well passed my 60th birthday "death" has taken on a quite different timbre. I guess I am in the procedure of redefini I have seen a lot of fierce death in my life. It e'er perplexed me somewhat that it was someone else who caught it. This is generally part of a kind of survivor guilt that many combat veterans experience. My early life was also dominated by serious low and suicide was an pick that was on the table for decades. Now afterwards vii years of fairly concentrated practise and having well passed my 60th altogether "death" has taken on a quite dissimilar timbre. I guess I am in the process of redefinition of my human relationship with the "reaper".

Over the past several years I have taken a lot from Stephen Levine'south piece of work as I have progressed along the path of practice. I have e'er appreciated his intelligence, his insight into spiritual matters and his rigorous bailiwick in expressing his ideas, not to mention the poetry sometimes evident at that place. It was natural then as I have sidled upwards to "death" that I should seek out what he has to say.

I am disappointed in this work. Information technology is the first time I could say that having read one of his books. There were moments when some of his observations or ideas struck home and parts were quite interesting but generally I constitute it to be uncharacteristically ill disciplined and rambling and much of it I just couldn't connect with at all. That may say more almost me than the book. However, it came across to me as a book written because it sounded like a proficient thought but it didn't quite get the commitment necessary or maybe he didn't really accept much to say this time.

Definitely NOt one of his improve pieces of piece of work.

...more

I'1000 sure that many people found solace in this book, merely for me it was as well abstract, and most of the author's "insights" were rather meaningless to me. Its all too poetic linguistic communication failed to convey a more than practical way for the reader (well, at least for me) to deal with the affair at hand. He and his family supposedly decided to live a year every bit if information technology's their last, and after a year of contemplating their lives in a rather general manner (ok, seeking and giving forgiveness and preparing themselves n I'm certain that many people found solace in this book, but for me information technology was too abstract, and most of the author'south "insights" were rather meaningless to me. Its all too poetic language failed to convey a more practical style for the reader (well, at least for me) to deal with the matter at hand. He and his family supposedly decided to alive a year as if information technology's their terminal, and after a yr of contemplating their lives in a rather general manner (ok, seeking and giving forgiveness and preparing themselves not to be "constipated past grief"), the year was over, with them - and the states - none the wiser.

Sadly near people need to really be dying in social club for them to exist able to finally confront their mortality, and this exercise in re-living your life as if in a retrospective was non able to brand me really feel the ache of death, or find the deliverance from said anguish. Fifty-fifty the praised "soft belly" meditation was just plain words to me. The second star is added just for the fact that information technology fabricated me call back of this subject at all.

I suppose I'll dice totally unprepared. Tough shit.

...more than

Feb 02, 2020 Daniel rated it really liked it

Squishy and woo-woo in places, but if y'all can go past this and ingest the central ideas of this book, you'll find information technology enormously clarifying and helpful. I read this book some 15 years ago, only while rereading it this time around (when I'm considerably older) I found information technology to accept fifty-fifty more value. The book imposes a paradoxical sense of calm and urgency on the reader to brand the near of the nowadays, to make the most of what you have now, and to recollect about what'southward coming in a deeply accepting way. Wo Squishy and woo-woo in places, but if you tin become past this and ingest the central ideas of this book, yous'll find it enormously clarifying and helpful. I read this book some 15 years ago, but while rereading it this time effectually (when I'1000 considerably older) I found it to accept fifty-fifty more value. The book imposes a paradoxical sense of calm and urgency on the reader to brand the about of the present, to make the most of what yous take now, and to retrieve well-nigh what's coming in a securely accepting way. Worth reading. ...more

Apr 07, 2021 Rebecca rated it it was ok

I only read the start 60 pages; not the volume for me correct now. This seems to be a book about meditation. A couple of passages that spoke to me:
p 43 ". . . one day we will realize how much of our life is a compulsive try to escape discomfort. Nosotros are motivated more past an aversion to the unpleasant than by a will toward truth, liberty, or healing. We are constantly attempting to escape our life, to avoid rather than enter our pain, and we wonder why it is so hard to exist fully alive. Every bit Jack I only read the commencement threescore pages; not the book for me correct at present. This seems to be a book nigh meditation. A couple of passages that spoke to me:
p 43 ". . . ane 24-hour interval we volition realize how much of our life is a compulsive attempt to escape discomfort. Nosotros are motivated more than by an aversion to the unpleasant than past a will toward truth, freedom, or healing. We are constantly attempting to escape our life, to avoid rather than enter our hurting, and we wonder why it is so difficult to be fully alive. As Jack Kornfield says of life, equally of any other lottery, 'You lot must exist present to win!'" [* Jack Kornfield - instructor in the vipassana movement in American Theravada Buddhism.]
p46-47 "Although I have seen people who opened like exotic flowers on their deathbed seemingly without much training, this is not something yous tin count on. If you examine most of these spontaneous openings y'all will find that many of these people lived their lives with some degree of sensation and at least a modicum of common courtesy. I accept seen event those who have long since abjured God dice in grace. In fact, there is nothing more cute than an atheist with an open eye. Atheists don't utilize their dying to bargain for a better seat at the tabular array; indeed, they may not even believe supper is being served. They are non storing upwardly 'merit.' They just smile considering their heart is ripe. They are kind for no item reason; they just love." ...more

Dec 27, 2021 Jillian rated information technology it was amazing

This is a precious picayune book to keep on the bedside table. I intend to do just that. I accept read information technology through from cover to cover, but it warrants much more than that. There are many thoughtful exercises and meditations to assist u.s.a. review life, arroyo fears, have expiry, enter living more fully. I like Levine'south gentle and somewhat lyrical manner. He doesn't preach or teach but offers ideas and suggestions lightly and humbly. I shall look out for more books by him. Precious. Highly recommend information technology.

Jul 11, 2021 jessica rated it it was astonishing

listened to this audiobook in calorie-free of the vs. podcast episode on the unknown nd that conversation was hanging over my feel due west/ this volume. also general death convos with my therapist. was an awesome nd transformative book 4 me in amid this specific moment in time ! uncertain of the book equally objective without that.............! cool ideas 4 mediative practise also.🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🪐🌀

Loved the poetic simplicity/complexity of his prose. And he offers so many means for us to think virtually the life/death continuum as an opportunity to embrace the now.

Sep 03, 2021 Laurie rated information technology information technology was ok

I read this volume every bit it was on the suggested list of books for a class I am because taking. Having read three of the five on the listing, and appreciated all 3, I was eager to read the other ii, and this is the first of those 2.

The book is but not my style or approach to contemplating what could exist the last twelvemonth of my life. However, at that place were numerous pages earmarked because the ideas resonate with the teachings I take gleaned from my sixteen years of practicing yoga.

Keeping in listen

I read this book equally information technology was on the suggested list of books for a course I am considering taking. Having read 3 of the five on the list, and appreciated all three, I was eager to read the other two, and this is the first of those two.

The book is simply non my style or approach to contemplating what could be the final year of my life. Nevertheless, at that place were numerous pages earmarked considering the ideas resonate with the teachings I have gleaned from my sixteen years of practicing yoga.

Keeping in listen that the purpose of this book is to guide the reader in exploring their life as if this were the final year of that life, it should not be surprising to encounter explanations effectually pain, feelings, and being present in each moment.

Early Levine states that "Whatever limits the entrance of awareness limits healing." This sentiment echos my feel of dealing with pain, such equally with a bone fracture, and decease, equally in when my parents and Aunt each died. Healing and grieving are experienced when I allowed myself to acknowledge what was being felt; only from at that place was I able to movement forward. As I discovered, this is a process, one begun many years ago and simply more recently becoming my way of existence.

Twenty pages subsequently Levine explains that "Because noting states of mind equally they arise keeps the states present, it allows us to encounter difficulties at their inception–before they become more than existent that we are." This hugely resonates with me; it is how I taught myself to dismiss the wild, negative fantasies that would enter my heed when thinking of the safety of my grown children and young grandchildren. Obviously, I cannot control for their safe. Through continual practise I learned to acknowledge those wild thoughts and so simply tell them "okay, you lot're washed, now move on."

This gem from chapter nine succinctly sums up much of what Levine is guiding the reader to understand.

We become more nowadays the more nowadays we become.

Levine makes the stardom between hurting, which is a given, and suffering, which is "a reaction rather than a response to mental and physical discomfort." How one chooses to respond to pain, exist information technology physical, mental or emotional, helps guide the resolution of that pain.

In this vein, "…the more we practice how to accept a bad day well, the better a day it volition be." That'south not to suggest nosotros should go around giving ourselves bad days just so we can effort and make the best of them. Withal, each time nosotros take a bad day or experience, attempt to muster the mental energy to choose how to best respond to the sensation. Maybe the next time a similar experience is encountered, you will be able to arroyo it with that much more equanimity. It is, after all, a practise.

And that, after all, is what Levine suggests by this volume, a year's practice of what life could be similar with death at its end, all in training for when the time does come - every bit it will for each of us - to die.

...more

Dec 23, 2013 Tommy rated it really liked it

I dearly love the concept that propels this volume. Stephen Levine and his wife spent decades providing grief counseling to concentration camp survivors, war veterans, hospice patients, and many others. He brings that experience and unique perspective to "A Year to Live", in which he proposes a revolutionary act: to practice living the adjacent year of one's life as if it were your final 365 days.

Information technology's an do in gratitude, awareness, facing fearfulness, and deciding what matters near in i's life. He m

I dearly love the concept that propels this book. Stephen Levine and his wife spent decades providing grief counseling to concentration campsite survivors, war veterans, hospice patients, and many others. He brings that experience and unique perspective to "A Year to Live", in which he proposes a revolutionary act: to practise living the next twelvemonth of one'due south life as if it were your last 365 days.

It's an practice in gratitude, awareness, facing fright, and deciding what matters most in one's life. He guides readers through exercises and opportunities to practice, while taking us on his own journey with his married woman through their "Yr to Alive."

The book tin can go a fleck new-agey, fifty-fifty for a Dharma-lovin', yoga-practicing guy similar me. But I tin can't observe likewise much mistake with a human being who saturday side-by-side with so many transitioning from life to the next stage. The experiences, forth with his own Buddhist training, opened him upward to a brave spiritual journeying, and ane that I am compelled to accept myself.

This is a quick read, a brief book that invites a deep wait at the lives nosotros lead and how we might adjust our approach to treat each 24-hour interval and moment with the preciousness they deserve.

...more

Oct 18, 2008 drozda rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: anyone who volition die anytime

Recommended to drozda past: s. wasserman

I suppose it's no surprise to hear that a book almost the terminate of life was not an easy read, even so it was more the writing manner than the discipline that fabricated this a dull become for me. I felt information technology to be a a positive assignment and an manifestly important topic so I kept at information technology till the finish.
Levine has worked for decades helping people to suit their thinking and release their demons so every bit to approach life's shut every bit a natural exit taking.

He says on page 85, "Information technology takes a thousand moments of remembering fo

I suppose it'south no surprise to hear that a book about the stop of life was not an easy read, all the same it was more the writing style than the subject that made this a slow become for me. I felt it to exist a a positive assignment and an obviously important topic so I kept at information technology till the stop.
Levine has worked for decades helping people to adjust their thinking and release their demons so every bit to approach life's shut as a natural get out taking.

He says on page 85, "It takes a k moments of remembering for us to stay open up long plenty to chronicle wholeheartedly to our past instead of from it...Equally nosotros watch again and again the story of our life unfolding, the repetition of and nonresistance to, the passing evidence allows u.s.a. to...start to have our life less personally.

I read this book in 2007. My mother and dad had died two years before and Levine helped me to become over my 'edge place' fear at that fourth dimension of loss and confusion.

...more than

The basic theme is very intriguing, and of course relevant to every human being. What bothered me is that Stephen needed an editor with a firmer manus with grammar. Incomplete sentences, tangled clauses, unclear refer-backs. It got very frustrating - if I hadn't been reading it with a group I might accept bailed. Eventually the central turned out to be deciding to think of him equally a poet rather than a prose author. Then all the idiosyncratic constructions were just "art"!

I'm not at all saying that he d

The basic theme is very intriguing, and of grade relevant to every human. What bothered me is that Stephen needed an editor with a firmer manus with grammar. Incomplete sentences, tangled clauses, unclear refer-backs. It got very frustrating - if I hadn't been reading it with a grouping I might have bailed. Eventually the key turned out to be deciding to call back of him as a poet rather than a prose writer. Then all the idiosyncratic constructions were just "fine art"!

I'thou non at all saying that he doesn't know what he's talking about - I know he has great depth of understanding of this subject. And oh my Lord sometimes there would be a downright luminous phrase. I did get tired of hearing virtually forgiveness, though.

If you read this volume you lot will come across Stephen'south "soft abdomen" meditation. I went to his web site and bought/downloaded a copy, and it quickly became one of my favorite guided meditations ever. Don't miss it!

...more

I'thou in a ane-year exploration of death organized around this book, led by https://vinnyferraro.org/ and hosted at Spirit Rock https://www.spiritrock.org/yeartolive

The teacher is better than most North American convert teachers in beingness able to back up weaving relationships and mutual support on the path, making sangha an embodied concept that extends far beyond the teachers relationships with each other. Information technology is very much appreciated!

I mention information technology here because absent that back up and structure, it

I'thousand in a one-yr exploration of expiry organized effectually this book, led past https://vinnyferraro.org/ and hosted at Spirit Rock https://www.spiritrock.org/yeartolive

The instructor is amend than most N American convert teachers in beingness able to support weaving relationships and mutual support on the path, making sangha an embodied concept that extends far beyond the teachers relationships with each other. Information technology is very much appreciated!

I mention it here because absent that support and construction, it would have been easy for me to read this book, get 1 or two insights only never commit to the practices or teachings shared by the writer.

The volume, while not difficult to read, is dense and I would have felt the loss more than with about spiritual books. Absent the group process, I would likely take rated the volume a 4 instead of a 5.

...more than

Jan 22, 2008 tai rated it it was ok

I idea this would be interesting, but information technology was not. Information technology's essentially a self-assist book with many touchy-feely exercises, like "create a song of yourself," so unless you're already into that kind of thing, i wouldn't suggest you spend your precious last twelvemonth reading this. instead, read some damn good fiction, accept some drugs, get beat up or beat someone up (or both), and breathe deeply. I thought this would be interesting, only it was not. It'south essentially a self-help book with many touchy-feely exercises, like "create a song of yourself," and then unless yous're already into that kind of matter, i wouldn't suggest you spend your precious last year reading this. instead, read some damn expert fiction, have some drugs, get beat out upwards or beat someone up (or both), and breathe deeply. ...more

Nosotros need to watch thwarted desire become kickoff frustration, then resistance, so a kind of dishonored pride (hurt feelings) and the nausea of helplessness, and before long aggression, doubt, and a trembling avoidance of these feelings of dissonance and imbalance.

But you and I tin can work out all mean solar day with the five, 10 and even twenty pound weights, gradually building our strength. We miss our daily opportunity to increment our stamina by overlooking those piddling workouts life constantly makes available-th

We need to scout thwarted desire become first frustration, then resistance, then a kind of dishonored pride (hurt feelings) and the nausea of helplessness, and soon aggression, doubt, and a trembling avoidance of these feelings of dissonance and imbalance.

But you lot and I can piece of work out all day with the five, 10 and even twenty pound weights, gradually building our strength. We miss our daily opportunity to increase our stamina by overlooking those little workouts life constantly makes bachelor-the little fears and doubts, the slight angers, the five and x pound weights of an ordinary day that nosotros exercise our best to ignore, burying that which might set united states of america free.

noting of metal states encourages a deeper recognition of what is happening while it is happening. It allows u.s. to exist more fully alive to the nowadays rather than living our life equally an reconsideration.
The mind is in a constant country of flux. No thought, no feeling, no sensation lasts for more than an instant before it is transformed into the next country, the next idea, the next awareness. Our life lasts only a moment. Note those moments. Acknowledge to yourself silently in the heart, the various states passing through. Call them by proper noun. Notation "fright", note "doubtfulness", annotation "pity" as these states pass through. Permit this naming of states be a gentle whisper in the heart, non a grasping at conceptual straws in the heed.
because noting states of mind every bit they ascend keeps united states present, it allow united states to meet difficulties at their inception-before they become more than existent than we are.

We take responsibility for being alive, recognizing that responsibility is the ability to answer instead of the compulsion to react.
We pause the dreamlike quality of a half-attended life.
Admit the property and explore whatever tension or discomfort there is while investigating the procedure and patterning.

They are the part of each of united states of america which would rather die than face, much less heal, our pain.

As we picket the breath, everything that arises in the mind is noted at its inception as thought, awareness, memory and emotion.

the practise of not moving from the position we discover ourselves in, unless motivated by discomfort, every bit a means of investigating how many of our actions are driven by negative attachment. until i day nosotros will realized how much of our life is a compulsive try to escape discomfort. We are motivated more by an aversion to the unpleasant than by a volition toward truth, freedom or healing. We are constantly attempting to escape our life, to avoid rather than enter our pain, and we wonder why it is so difficult to exist fully alive.

If there is a single definition of healing information technology is to enter with mercy and awareness those pains, mental and physical, from which we accept withdrawn in judgement and dismay. Zippo prepares us so completely for death as entering those aspects of our lives that remain unlived.

information technology practices information technology's dying by surrendering the luxury of its suffering..

dying is to death as birth is to life. dying, life birth, is begun by the body and completed by the heart.

The deviation between fear and fearing is the difference between freedom and bondage. Fearfulness arises uninvited. Information technology is a deeply conditioned, automatic reaction to whatever feelings of existence physically or emotionally unsafe.
The more we turn toward it the more familiar with its trunk and mental patterning nosotros become, and the sooner we tin notice even it'south slightest arousal. Nosotros meet information technology equally its inception where what seems to be the possibility of choice exists. We observe information technology in its infancy equally we allow it bladder to the surface, display its terminal prideful gasp, and deliquesce every bit it volition, due to its natural impermanence.

Imagine what feelings of helplessness and hopelessness might ascend if indeed at that place was no expiry. Let u.s. not dismiss the fact that though nosotros fear information technology and so, we value it across measure. Death makes life safe. We count on death. Death is not the enemy, holding to fear is.

death similar birth is not an emergency but an emergence.
Those who know the procedure directly, from experiences shared with the dying, exercise non speak of death equally a unmarried moment earlier which you are alive and later on which you are non. They refer instead to "a point of remembrance" in which the holding to life transforms into a letting go into expiry.
At that moment, just earlier we experience the lightness lifting usa from our body, while we are still trying to capture each molecule of oxygen merely to stay alive some other instant, we suddenly think we are non the body, never take been, never will be!

Until we discover that detachment does not mean an indifference to the pain in ourselves and the people around us, but rather a settling back to observe with clarity and perspective that which calls out for healing. Gradually it becomes clear that disengagement means letting go and nonattachment means just letting be.
we become noticeably less concerned with praise or blame, fame or shame.

...more

When life today is precarious, filled with so much uncertainty, we can feel lost. I get-go read Stephen Levine's book when I was going through a stage of what I draw as my mid-life crisis. I wasn't dying in a literal sense just was questioning my life's path. This is now my re-read of this volume. I too bought a new copy for a colleague recently retired, feeling at loose ends and wondering what he wants to do with the rest of his life.

What would you do if y'all had 1 year to live? Some other role

When life today is precarious, filled with and then much uncertainty, we can experience lost. I beginning read Stephen Levine's book when I was going through a stage of what I describe as my mid-life crisis. I wasn't dying in a literal sense but was questioning my life's path. This is now my re-read of this book. I also bought a new copy for a colleague recently retired, feeling at loose ends and wondering what he wants to do with the balance of his life.

What would you do if you lot had one yr to live? Another part of that question might exist why aren't you doing that now? The trend in western lodge tin can be to deny the thought of dying every bit being part of a morbid preoccupation rather than a natural and inevitable part of life. Office of my career has included working with hospice patients - people faced with a medical diagnosis that they are palliative and have but a short time to live. Surprisingly, many accept shared with me their sense of joy - not so much at the prospect of their demise but that the "judgement" has cut through whatever pretence to a place of authenticity.

Levine's volume should be essential reading to help guide the states all to a place of vibrant living.

...more

Another instance where "liking" the volume is beside the betoken. I accept a whole lot of bloodshed feet issues which is why I read Levine'south books, and I find them worthwhile, but tin't really say I like them. This 1 is a slim volume which could indicate that information technology'south a quick and piece of cake read, nonetheless, for me that was not the instance. As usual, Levine's writing is beautiful, poetic, and reading information technology is really like a meditation. That is no small feat when you are writing about some real unpleasantnesses. Ther Another instance where "liking" the book is abreast the point. I take a whole lot of mortality feet problems which is why I read Levine'southward books, and I find them worthwhile, merely can't really say I like them. This one is a slim volume which could betoken that it'due south a quick and easy read, however, for me that was not the instance. As usual, Levine's writing is beautiful, poetic, and reading information technology is really like a meditation. That is no small feat when you are writing about some real unpleasantnesses. There is a lot to digest and ponder. He proposes some interesting exercises and activities. Mostly, I find that reading Levine takes me away from the fear and anxiety and toward the naturalness of the inevitability. The overriding mantra of acceptance has been valuable to me. As a caveat, this book isn't for everybody. When y'all are confronted by your own mortality, or the imminent passing of a loved 1, I think it could be worthwhile and perhaps fifty-fifty comforting. ...more

This book is a mishmash of verse, mysticism, psychobabble, myth, superstition, and sound communication. I get the impression that Levine lives in a cocky-help subculture which is rather dissimilar -- and quite detached -- from the lives of most Americans. Much of what he writes will be difficult for people exterior that culture to chronicle to, and he makes little effort to aid them relate or to give them a reason to want to. Even anecdotal show for his programs is thin, and solid evidence is completely This book is a mishmash of poetry, mysticism, psychobabble, myth, superstition, and sound communication. I get the impression that Levine lives in a self-help subculture which is rather unlike -- and quite detached -- from the lives of most Americans. Much of what he writes will be hard for people exterior that civilization to relate to, and he makes little effort to aid them chronicle or to give them a reason to want to. Even anecdotal testify for his programs is sparse, and solid evidence is completely absent. At the end of a full volume about his program to live his yr similar it was his last, he devotes simply a unmarried page to the benefits of having done so. I don't call up that understates the value of the book. ...more than

April 10, 2018 Beth rated it really liked it

Steven Levine writes not only to the middle of the trouble with the fear of decease and dying, only he gives practical suggestions on how to alive a more fulfilling and contented life. He suggests practices for meditation that guide y'all through understanding how we arroyo life (our emotions and thoughts) and how we tin can learn to approach life in a healthier way through intelligence. I could never wait at violence on the t.5. because it brought upwards fearfulness for me. Through his logical approach, this helps Steven Levine writes not only to the heart of the problem with the fright of decease and dying, simply he gives practical suggestions on how to live a more fulfilling and contented life. He suggests practices for meditation that guide you lot through agreement how we arroyo life (our emotions and thoughts) and how we can learn to approach life in a healthier way through intelligence. I could never wait at violence on the t.v. considering it brought up fear for me. Through his logical approach, this helps me to sympathize the flow of life, non to fear death or life, but to embrace information technology, and encompass myself and others. ...more

October 08, 2017 Matt Harris rated it it was amazing

Wonderful - partly read this book and partly listened to the audiobook on audible, because Stephen Levine'due south vocalisation is very moreish. He's obviously lived for so long with death and dying top of mind and his experience and openness comes through.

Lots of Buddhist, Hindu and Zen influences but besides Christian, Jewish, Islam and scientific data. Aetheists won't exist put off either I remember.

I'll be working with this volume for a year... month by month, coming together with a small group and discussing information technology. Wh

Wonderful - partly read this book and partly listened to the audiobook on audible, considering Stephen Levine'south vocalism is very moreish. He's obviously lived for and so long with death and dying top of mind and his experience and openness comes through.

Lots of Buddhist, Hindu and Zen influences simply too Christian, Jewish, Islam and scientific information. Aetheists won't be put off either I recollect.

I'll exist working with this book for a yr... calendar month past month, coming together with a small group and discussing it. What if we only had a year left? How would one live differently, what would exist changed..

...more

Mar 16, 2018 Robin rated it really liked it

Notes:
A Year To Live: How To Live This Year As If It Were Your Last

If there is a unmarried definition of healing it is to enter with mercy and awareness those pains, mental and physical, from which we accept withdrawn in judgement and dismay. 48

When all that matters is the deepening of wisdom and compassion for the low-cal and warmth it brings to the eternal moment we share with all that is, we won't fifty-fifty take to pack for the journey. Everything will accept care of itself with unexpected grace.
Death is

Notes:
A Year To Live: How To Live This Twelvemonth As If It Were Your Last

If there is a unmarried definition of healing information technology is to enter with mercy and awareness those pains, mental and concrete, from which nosotros have withdrawn in judgement and dismay. 48

When all that matters is the deepening of wisdom and pity for the light and warmth it brings to the eternal moment we share with all that is, we won't even have to pack for the journey. Everything volition take care of itself with unexpected grace.
Death is perfectly safe. 55

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Practicing dying is something that is definitely interesting and it helped me refocusing on what'due south actually important. His message is quite optimistic and positive and It's not the kind of book that you lot read in 1 day or two, in fact, information technology took me a long time to finish it I promise to remember this book when I accept a year to alive, but I am not sure that the book is very realistic..... I felt like he was rambling on and on and yet saying cypher only the aforementioned matter: I met people that were dying, they beca Practicing dying is something that is definitely interesting and it helped me refocusing on what's actually important. His message is quite optimistic and positive and Information technology'due south not the kind of book that yous read in 1 day or 2, in fact, it took me a long time to finish it I promise to remember this book when I have a year to live, only I am not sure that the book is very realistic..... I felt like he was rambling on and on and yet saying aught but the same thing: I met people that were dying, they became peaceful. I am sure you do get peaceful just it takes piece of work. ...more

November xiii, 2017 Ashu Shah rated it it was amazing

A very dainty book, lots to contemplate on despite it'southward small number of pages. I greatly enjoyed Stephen Levine'south writing style, poetic and to the bespeak at the same time. I was inspired to read this book when I read Dharma Punx, merely Noah Levine. This volume really challenges you to consider living i year of your life as if it were your final. Very uplifting and inspiring on what nigh people would consider at the surface as a night topic. Goose egg could be further from the truth. A very squeamish book, lots to contemplate on despite it's pocket-size number of pages. I greatly enjoyed Stephen Levine'south writing style, poetic and to the indicate at the aforementioned time. I was inspired to read this volume when I read Dharma Punx, but Noah Levine. This volume really challenges you lot to consider living one year of your life every bit if it were your last. Very uplifting and inspiring on what most people would consider at the surface equally a night topic. Nothing could be further from the truth. ...more

Jul xiii, 2018 Valerie rated it actually liked it

Beautifully written, Levine gave me much to think most. I especially valued Levine'south observation that when we are dying, nosotros are near nowadays. This makes sense to me. When our time is brusk, perhaps we exercise not dwell on the past. Nor do nosotros worry much about the futurity. I played with this concept in my mediation practice, imagining that the practice would be my last. This deepened the meditation in a way I had not predictable. Beautifully written, Levine gave me much to think most. I especially valued Levine's observation that when we are dying, we are about nowadays. This makes sense to me. When our fourth dimension is curt, perhaps nosotros practise non dwell on the by. Nor do we worry much well-nigh the future. I played with this concept in my arbitration do, imagining that the do would be my last. This deepened the meditation in a manner I had not predictable. ...more

Interesting to read. Most of united states have a level of fear around our ain death and the death of those who are important in our lives. This book takes you through many ideas and processes to better prepare for death. It is for everyone, as the sooner we prepare for our own death the better nosotros will live our lives each day. Information technology is in the remembering that we all dice that life can have on greater significant and purpose. Then the book isn't actually about dying information technology is virtually living well.

Mar 03, 2021 Jeannine rated it actually liked information technology

Gave a quick read to go an overview of the terminal yr to alive procedure. Felt inspired to experiment with this in my ain life and engage with the practices described in the volume. At present going back through a closer read of the material.
I don't feel it's a book to read, check off my "yes, I read that list" and so forget about it. Information technology needs to be revisited regularly and actively engaged with to give the material the best adventure to be life-changing.
Possibly I should review in another yr! Gave a quick read to get an overview of the last year to live process. Felt inspired to experiment with this in my own life and engage with the practices described in the volume. Now going back through a closer read of the material.
I don't feel it's a volume to read, check off my "aye, I read that listing" and and so forget about it. Information technology needs to exist revisited regularly and actively engaged with to give the cloth the best chance to be life-changing.
Maybe I should review in another twelvemonth! ...more than

You lot volition recollect near each 24-hour interval differently after you've read this volume

This volume I have read two times through. I am currently in a Group that is going through this book flake by bit. I highly recommend information technology to anyone who is wanting more than, needing more than, seeking more. For me information technology's about reevaluating this lifetime my presence here and my purpose. When information technology is my time to leave… I don't want to leave anything undone…

American poet, author and teacher best known for his work on death and dying.

News & Interviews

Looking for something epic, stellar, or far out? Perhaps a bit dystopian? And so these authors are your called ones to read next! Nosotros asked...

"[D]etachment ways letting go and nonattachment means merely letting be. (95)" — 155 likes

"Letting ourselves exist forgiven is i of the most hard healings we volition undertake. And ane of the most fruitful. (79)" — 103 likes

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Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/371830.A_Year_to_Live

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