If you are dealing with the loss of a friend or loved one, the loss of a job, your health, or the loss of anything you valued, this podcast addresses the symptoms of grief and how to move through the process in a healthy, positive way.

I recently lost two people I loved this year, within only a few months of each other. Before I had a chance to recover from the first loss–my beloved father-in-law, the second one loomed heavily–my step mom of 30 years died of pancreatic cancer. I meditated at her bedside as she passed. When she left her body, spirit passed through all our hearts in a wave of love. It is an experience I will cherish always.

As I observe myself through this process, I continue to discover gifts–gifts of life and gifts of death.

Here are personal notes from sessions with grief counselor, Joe Stinson, featured in this show. He can be reached for private phone sessions at: 650-757-1300

GRIEF
Affects endocrine system (glandular system) – “self regulation”

Symptoms:
1. Loss of memory.
2. Difficulty following thought processes.
3. “5 Senses” are diminished – can’t take in anymore, a kind of numbness.
4. Immune system compromised leaving one vulnerable to sickness.
5. Feelings of being overwhelmed – mood states oscillating between sadness, depression, apathy, and/or euphoria.
6. The simple tasks of life are overwhelming.

Suggestions:
1. Eat small meals throughout the day.
2. Avoid fruit juices, alcohol, and most sugars since the pancreas (endocrine system) is an important gland in processing loss.
3. Stay connected with family and loved ones.
4. Get plenty of rest.
5. If social, choose the “right company.”
6. Less is better.

Facts:
Grief is a normal, natural process of living. It always shows up in human behavior, and its physiological effects are akin to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Grief will naturally bring up other previous losses for the purpose of healing.

How does one move through the suffering into Healthy Grief?
Two Choices: (You can do both if you wish.)
1. Getting out what is inside of us that is uncomfortable to a non-judgmental person.
2. Getting it out on paper – journaling of thoughts, feelings, fantasies, images, anything.

Don’t be a “fix-it” person, i.e., don’t take away another’s suffering or try to make them okay! You can’t save another.

Key points to remember:

1. Truth – be willing to tell it and stay with it.
2. Trust – that by trusting your truth you will be guided appropriately.
3. Commitment – a commitment to be with your truth and trust yourself and the process.

 

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