This thought-provoking course, co-taught by Drs. Shubham Kulkarni, Robert Svoboda & Claudia Welch invites participants to delve into the universal and inevitable process of death through a unique blend of Ayurveda, mental health insights, and end-of-life care practices. Designed for those who are either fascinated by or fearful of death, the course offers a rich exploration of the emotional and spiritual dimensions associated with dying and the care of those at the end of life.
Who Should Enroll?
- Individuals eager to understand death from multiple perspectives, including the medical, emotional, and spiritual.
- Those interested in the practical and clinical aspects of end-of-life care, as well as the philosophical and ethical considerations.
- Participants looking for a compassionate approach to managing their fears and curiosity about death, guided by experienced instructors versed in Indian wisdom traditions.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the philosophical perspectives on death and dying within Indian knowledge and spiritual traditions, contrasting them as appropriate with perspectives from other traditions
- Explore the concept of karma and how it influences the process of dying and the afterlife.
- Learn about the stages of death and the journey of the soul as described in classical texts including the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads.
- Analyze the practical, ethical and moral considerations in end-of-life care.
- Investigate the practices of ancestor worship and the importance of honoring the departed.
- Develop skills for providing compassionate support to those who are dying and their families.
- Comprehend the foundational principles of Ayurveda and how they relate to end-of-life care.
- Identify the signs and symptoms of impending death (ariṣṭa lakṣaṇa) according to Ayurvedic texts.
- Understand the significance and interpretation of ariṣṭa lakṣaṇa in clinical practice and care planning.
- Explore the emotional spectrum experienced by individuals at the end of life from both Ayurvedic and psychological perspectives.
- Learn techniques for managing emotional distress, anxiety, and fear in dying patients using Ayurvedic practices.
- Develop comprehensive care plans that integrate Ayurvedic treatments,dietary and lifestyle modifications.
- Develop effective communication strategies for discussing end-of-life issues with patients and their families.
- Emphasise the importance of self-care based on Ayurveda to prevent burnout and maintain emotional resilience for caregivers of The Dying.
- Role of Music as a therapy in end-of-life care & after death.
- What is happening in life vs. death, from the perspective of sāṅkhya philosophy
- Explore what one might do to prepare to die & prepare for the passing of loved ones
- Describe the relationship of the four āśramas and death
- Explore the role ahaṅkāra may play in the death process
- Be able to describe the relationship between attachment and ahaṅkāra
- Explore how one might support another to prepare for their death
- Consider how you might support the family of someone dying
- What different forms of grief might look like and the process of being present with this
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, if you have assimilated the material, you will be able to:
- Engage deeply with the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of death and dying
- Understand some models of the journey of the soul
- Understand the implications of karma on the dying process
- Appreciate the rituals and practices associated with death, and know how to perform a simple post-death ritual
- Have techniques to turn to to manage the overwhelming emotions that can accompany death
- Transform personal fears of death into opportunities for spiritual growth and liberation.
- Articulate & use core Ayurvedic principles in end-of-life care
- Use music as a companion dealing with death
- Know better how to live your life, because of its implications in death.
Registration and details for Death & Dying
