Podcast appearances and mentions of Frank Ostaseski

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk coinciding with Upaya's Being With Dying program, Frank Ostaseski breaks open the conversation of caring for those near death or in the dying process. Like curling up with a good […]

It's here and then it's gone. In so many ways this is the through line of our experience. From the sunny day,To a common cold,To time spent with loved ones,Or the experience of our wedding day.Joy, love, heartbreak, and ultimately Life itself - All by nature impermanent. To walk through this lifeIs to walk hand-in-hand with change. It is simply part of what it means to be human -  Part of what connects us all. This season on the podcast we wanted to make these shared experiences a focal point of our larger conversation. So for 3 episodes we have brought together some of the great teachers, physicians, writers, and leaders of our time.To reflect on how we might embrace impermanence,Relax into uncertainty, Loosen our grip of control,And open up the possibility of appreciating, and taking in, the preciousness and beauty of this one life which we are given. Two weeks ago we kicked off this seriesWith world renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg and palliative care physician and author, Dr. Sunita Puri. Last week we continued unpacking these themes with CEO Coach Jerry Colonna and legendary teacher, activist, and author, Parker Palmer.Today we close this epic 3 part mini series by inviting two pioneers in end-of-life care to engage two of the great mysteries of human life:Love and Death. Legendary Buddhist teacher, activist, author, and founder of Upaya Zen Center, Roshi Joan HalifaxAnd Buddhist teacher, best-selling author, and founder of the Zen Hospice Project, Frank OstaseskiWill explore themes related to:How we might embrace the experiences of loving and dying in ways that lead to living as fully as we can.And the possibility of meeting impermanence with greater wisdom, compassion, and courage. During our time together they will offer reflections on: Mindfulness as a practice of intimacyLearning to let goSurrenderThe joy of discoveryAnd how we might meet all that life gives us with loving awareness. For more on Roshi please visit: joanhalifax.org or upaya.orgAnd for more on Frank please visit: frankostaseski.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Work, Friendship, and Embracing Impermanence | Parker Palmer & Jerry ColonnaImpermanence, Letting Go, and Finding Freedom | Sharon Salzberg & Sunita PuriEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

In this Gathering Dharma session, Buddhist teachers Sharon Salzberg and Frank Ostaseski explore the profound nature of service and compassion. Drawing from their extensive spiritual and humanitarian work, they reveal service as spiritual practice and state […]

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Death is not waiting for us at the end of a long road. Death is always with us, in the marrow of every passing moment. She is the secret teacher hiding in plain sight. She helps us to discover what matters most. We don't have to wait until the end of our lives to realize the wisdom that death has to offer.

This week, Frank Ostaseski guides us through a meditation that invites us to let curiosity lead. Life doesn't always bring what we desire—instead, it can deliver pain, uncertainty, and even sorrow. While we can't always change these circumstances or the emotions that arise with them, we can choose to meet them with an open curiosity. When we do, we create space to welcome, or at least acknowledge, whatever comes our way. This openness helps us release the added suffering that often follows tough moments, reminding us that while life's challenges are inevitable, the suffering we add to them is optional. Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter, where we share compelling insights and actionable ideas to enrich your everyday life. Connect with us at mindful.org/signup. Show Notes Find more from Frank Ostaseski here: Frank Ostaseski, Author at Mindful  Zen Hospice Project  Metta Institute   And more from Mindful here: More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation   Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

This week, Frank Ostaseski guides us through a meditation that invites us to let curiosity lead. Life doesn't always bring what we desire—instead, it can deliver pain, uncertainty, and even sorrow. While we can't always change these circumstances or the emotions that arise with them, we can choose to meet them with an open curiosity. When we do, we create space to welcome, or at least acknowledge, whatever comes our way. This openness helps us release the added suffering that often follows tough moments, reminding us that while life's challenges are inevitable, the suffering we add to them is optional. Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter, where we share compelling insights and actionable ideas to enrich your everyday life. Connect with us at mindful.org/signup. Show Notes Find more from Frank Ostaseski here: Frank Ostaseski, Author at Mindful  Zen Hospice Project  Metta Institute   And more from Mindful here: More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation   Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.

Can death be portrayed as beautiful? In this episode, we share the joy of talking with Wendy MacNaughton (artist, author, graphic journalist) and Frank Ostaseski (Buddhist teacher, author, founder of the Metta Institute and Zen Hospice Project) about using drawings and images as tools for creating human connections and processing death and dying. You may know Wendy as the talented artist behind Meanwhile in San Francisco or Salt Fat Acid Heat. Our focus today, however, was on her most recently published book titled How to Say Goodbye. This beautiful book began as a very personal project for Wendy while she was the artist-in-residence at Zen Hospice. As BJ MIller writes in the foreword, “May this book be a portal -- a way for us to move beyond the unwise territory of trying to ‘do it right' and into the transcendent terrain of noticing what we can notice, loving who we love, and letting death -- like life --surprise us with its ineffable beauty.” Some highlights from our conversation:   The role of art in humanizing the dying process.  How the act of drawing can help us sloooow down, pay attention to the people and world around us, and ultimately let go…  The possibility of incorporating drawings in research and even clinical care.  The wisdom and experiences of hospice caregivers (who are often underpaid and undervalued). How to use the “Five Things” as a framework for a “conversation of love, respect, and closure” with someone who is dying. And finally, Wendy offers a drawing lesson and ONE-MINUTE drawing assignment to help us (and our listeners) be more present and connect with one another. You can read more about this blind contour exercise from Wendy's DrawTogether Strangers project. The rules are really quite simple:  Find another person. Sit down and draw each other for only one minute. NEVER lift up your pen/pencil (draw with a continuous line)  NEVER look down at your paper That's it! While the creative process is what truly matters, we think that the outcome is guaranteed to be awesome and definitely worth sharing. We invite you to post your drawings on twitter and tag us @GeriPalBlog! Happy listening and drawing, Lingsheng @lingshengli  Additional info:  For weekly lessons on drawing and the art of paying attention from Wendy, you can subscribe to her Substack DrawTogether with WendyMac and join the Grown-Ups Table (GUT)!  To learn more about Frank's teaching and philosophy on end-of-life care, read his book The Five Invitations   

Jaune Evans leads the Dharma Seminar and invites Frank Ostaseski to speak on  “All That is Dear to Me and Everyone I love Are of the Nature to Change,”  the fifth  talk of "The Five Remembrances" series. Suggested donation: $7 https://bit.ly/donate-edz-online-teachings We cannot continue offering teachings online without it. Thank you! https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/edz.assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Five-Remembrances-Talk-5-All-That-is-Dear-to-Me-and-Everyone-I-Love-Are-of-the-Nature-to-Change-.mp3

In this Love and Death program session Frank Ostaseski and Roshi Joan guide participants to notice what attracts them and repels them in a series of photos of dying persons. Frank sobers and grounds participants before […]

In this Love and Death program session Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses near and far enemies of the four brahmaviharas (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity) […]

This episode is a continuation of the 8/25/24 morning session of Love and Death program where … Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses […]

In this Love and Death program session Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses near and far enemies of the four brahmaviharas (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity) […]

This episode is a continuation of the 8/24/24 afternoon session of Love and Death where … Frank Ostaseski tenderly leads participants into the concepts and practice of metta. Frank discusses near and […]

Roshi Joan and Frank  Ostaseski offer their warm welcome in this first session of Love & Death: Opening the Great Gifts. Roshi Joan reflects on the impacts of the pandemic, not only on medicine […]

This episode is a continuation of the 8/24/24 morning session of Love and Death where …  Frank Ostaseski and Roshi Joan touch into the heart of compassion through grief. Roshi Joan walks us tenderly […]

In this session of Love and Death, Frank Ostaseski and Roshi Joan touch into the heart of compassion through grief. Roshi Joan walks us tenderly and skilfully through a journey from her past, a journey […]

Death Doula Global Summit Speaker Spotlight: Brad Wolfe, Founder of Reimagine EOL What if confronting mortality could be the key to living a more meaningful life? Join us as we host Brad Wolf, the visionary founder and executive director of Reimagine End of Life, who shares his deeply personal journey and the pivotal experiences that led him to break down the taboos surrounding death through arts, spirituality, healthcare, and design. Brad recounts early inspirations, like his grandmother's wisdom and the impactful loss of his friend Sarah, demonstrating how mortality can serve as a powerful catalyst for living more fully.  Through our conversation with Brad, we uncover the profound wisdom shared by those facing the end of life, including valuable teachings from thought leaders Frank Ostaseski and Ira Byock. We touch on the transformative power of forgiveness, gratitude, and the importance of meaningful relationships. Hear touching stories, such as that of young volunteer Grace, and learn how the pandemic has reshaped our approach to these essential conversations. Additionally, Brad gives us a glimpse into an upcoming festival dedicated to creating space for vital end-of-life discussions. Explore the transformative practices of writing legacy letters and love letters to oneself, and the importance of rituals and mindfulness in healing. Brad talks about Reimagine's remarkable initiatives, like the "Creating Space" festival and the "Mourning into Unity" initiative, which bring people together to support each other through grief and healing. Finally, Suzanne O'Brien wraps up the Death Doula Global Summit interview with heartfelt gratitude and anticipation for future discussions, leaving us inspired to integrate the wisdom of elders and face life and death with courage and compassion.       We dive into: (04:01 - 04:52) Rediscovering the Value of Aging (09:39 - 11:47) Universal Laws and Common Humanity (14:11 - 15:52) Innovative Human-Centered Design Approach (21:45 - 23:42) Zoom Challenges and Opportunities (34:01 - 35:33) Path to Hospice and Consciousness (43:51 - 44:59) Sharing Wisdom in End-of-Life Care         We want to hear from you!!! If you found this podcast helpful, Please Rate, Review, & Follow so we can reach more people.     Links mentioned in this episode: Doulagivers Institute The NEXT Free Level 1 End of Life Doula Training Registration LINK  The NEXT Free Doulagivers Discovery Webinar  Reimagine Organization   80-90% of a positive end of life depends on these two things: Knowing the basic skills on how to care for someone at the end of life and planning ahead - and BOTH Doulagivers Institute is giving you for FREE! Access them Below! Making your wishes known is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your loved ones. Download The Doulagivers 9 Choice Advance Directive now! It's FREE!     More about what we do at Doulagivers Institute - Click here! More about Brad Wolfe and his music - Click here! 

Tara Brach and Frank Ostaseski lead this tenderly delivered Gathering Dharma session. Together with participants Tara and Frank explore a range of topics including post pandemic reflections, the divide in personal narratives, and […]

Frank Ostaseski (Buddhist; end-of-life teacher; elder) helps people die best. He has accompanied over 1,000 people through the dying process and trained thousands of healthcare clinicians and family caregivers around the world. He was also a lecturer at Harvard Medical School and has taught at Google and Apple Inc., has been honoured by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and appeared on Oprah and Sam Harris' Making Sense podcast. I asked Frank to join me to talk through his book, The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully.Death, grief and loss are always with us, but I feel we are needing moral and spiritual guidance more than ever (every 6-12 months or so I try to cover this issue on Wild, generally aligning with a dialling up in world events). In this chat Frank and I talk through simple techniques for coping with the loss we're feeling watching the carnage in Gaza, witnessing climate destruction and polarisation.SHOW NOTESGet hold of The Five InvitationsHere's Frank Ostaseski's website where you can find a bunch of resourcesYou might like to listen to the interview I did with death walker Stephen JenkinsonAnd this conversation with Clancy Martin about grief and suicideAs well as my glorious chat with Sister Helen Prejean and the other death row episode with Devin Moss--If you need to know a bit more about me… head to my "about" pageFor more such conversations subscribe to my Substack newsletter, it's where I interact the most!Get your copy of my book, This One Wild and Precious LifeLet's connect on Instagram and WeAre8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many religions and cultures, forgiveness is “the right thing to do.” But outside of moral judgements, why forgive? Frank Ostaseski, approaching forgiveness as a possibility, not an ethical imperative, […]

Jack and the ‘Grandfather of Gratitude,' Brother David Steindl-Rast, delve into sacred reflections on death, where Buddha meets Jesus, the power of compassion, the positive side of grief, and beyond.Stay up to date with Jack and his stream of free offerings by signing up for his email newsletter teachings at JackKornfield.com/newsletter “The process of grieving that breaks this little heart, which closes itself in itself, opens us to the heart that we all share, the one heart that we all have in common.” – Brother David Steindl-RastIn this sacred dialogue, Jack, Brother David, and Frank Ostaseski reflect on:How Christianity and Buddhism fit together spirituallyThe compassionate smile of Buddha meeting the sacred heart of Jesus ChristThe positive side of grief: opening to the collective heartDeath and grace in both traditionsDeconditioning from a difficult motherHarnessing the power of your common senseA funny story about the Pope, and how to awaken to who we already areJack's journey to the Temple of the Coconut MonkHow to handle pain like a Burmese MasterHow to forgive yourself and overcome remorseDiffusing suicidal tendencies by cultivating self-compassionGuided meditations and sacred chants from Jack and Brother David“In a meditative way, one of the big pieces of being able to love, or touch, or open, or live, is really the work of forgiveness, grace, and receiving yourself in all of your complexity and loving.” – Jack Kornfield“Compassion, loving kindness, and understanding are our true nature, our true state.” – Jack KornfieldThis conversation recorded on 6/30/1988 was originally published on DharmaSeed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the second session of this series Frank Ostaseski emphasizes the interconnectedness of the four brahmaviharas and how they support each other. This talk focus on Karuna (Compassion) and includes […]

This session concludes the four part series Four Flavors of Love. Frank Ostaseski reminds us the brahmaviharas are considered powerful and beautiful aspects of the human mind and heart that […]

This is a continuation of final session which concludes the four part series Four Flavors of Love. Frank Ostaseski reminds us the brahmaviharas are considered powerful and beautiful aspects of […]

This is a continuation of the second session of this series where Frank Ostaseski emphasizes the interconnectedness of the four brahmaviharas and how they support each other. This talk focus […]

This session from the Four Flavors of Love is the first session in the series covering the four brahmaviharas. Frank Ostaseski emphasizes the importance of the brahmaviharas and suggests the […]

Join us in this heartwarming conversation with Frank Ostaseski and Tara Brach as they explore the depths of grief, loss, and the human experience. Through personal stories and profound insights, […]

"All the perfections are left in," I say in the intro to this perhaps-greatest-ever episode of the podcast, and yes, I meant "imperfections." But I enjoy the mistake, so it stays in, which is fitting for an episode I've minimally edited so that you can experience it as close to how I did as possible. And fitting for an episode in which legendary experimental/ambient musician and hospice chaplain Jefre Cantu-Ledesma helps me understand in a deep way the meaning of accepting all our feelings about death.Content warning: hospice, the experience of dying, old age, Zen Buddhism, grieving previous versions of yourself, Frank Ostaseski's The Five Invitations, relationship to creative career success, the Five Remembrances.If you believe in This Is Your Afterlife and want fun bonus episodes, become a patron for $5 or $15/month at patreon.com/davemaher. Follow Jefre Cantu-Ledesma on Instagram: @jcantuledesmaListen to and purchase his wonderful, beautiful, mind-blowing, life-affirming music on Bandcamp.Sign on to support the Living Wage for Musicians Act.And donate here to help me raise money for abortion access with Chicago Abortion Fund!Follow this show on IG: @thisisyourafterlife, and get more info at thisisyourafterlife.com. Follow me @thisisdavemaher on Instagram and Twitter.All music by This Is Your Afterlife house band Lake Mary.Check out my other podcast, Genre Reveal Party!, where I analyze TV and movies with my friend, writer and cultural critic Madeline Lane-McKinley.

From his houseboat where he “rides the tides of life”, Frank Ostaseski bears his humanity and demonstrates how to tenderly and honestly meet another's suffering. Frank offers no prescriptions. “I […]

“Things are heating up all over the world. . .we as Buddhas practice in the raging fire.” In this dharma talk, Upaya visiting teacher Sensei Cynthia Kear navigates practice in […]

Frank and Roshi discuss the profound experience of being seen and truly felt. Through personal anecdotes and poetic expressions, they explore the transformative power of presence and being real. Explore […]

Renowned Buddhist teacher, Frank Ostaseski, discusses death, impermanence, and the principle of non-waiting.Today's episode was recorded as part of the Ram Dass Fellowship's regular online gatherings. To learn more about the Ram Dass Fellowship and sign up to join a fellowship gathering near you, visit RamDass.org/Fellowship.Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow Hosted by Jackie Dobrinska, this recording from the Ram Dass Fellowship features Frank Ostaseski discussing:Creation stories and the shaping of humansWhy the breath is so important (Including a guided breath meditation!)The five invitations and how these principles are designed to help you embrace life to the fullestNavigating life transitions, coping with loss, facing serious illness, or personal crisesHeartfelt real-life stories combined with ancient wisdomHow an awareness of mortality can be a supportive companion on the journey to living wellRegarding death as a final stage of growthNot waiting as an antidote to regretThe beauty of life when we recognize and accept impermanenceAbout Frank Ostaseski:Frank Ostaseski, an internationally respected Buddhist teacher and pioneer in end-of-life care, has accompanied over 1,000 people through their dying process. Acclaimed author of The Five Invitations, Frank co-founded the first Buddhist hospice in America—The Zen Hospice Project. In 2005, he founded the Metta Institute, through which he has trained countless clinicians and caregivers, building a national network of educators, advocates, and guides for those facing a life-threatening illness.About Jackie Dobrinska:Jackie Dobrinska is the Director of Education, Community & Inclusion for Ram Dass' Love, Serve, Remember Foundation and the current host of Ram Dass' Here & Now podcast. She is also a teacher, coach, and spiritual director with the privilege of marrying two decades of mystical studies with 15 years of expertise in holistic wellness. As an interspiritual minister, Jackie was ordained in Creation Spirituality in 2016 and has also studied extensively in several other lineages – the plant-medicine-based Pachakuti Mesa Tradition, Sri Vidya Tantra, Western European Shamanism, Christian Mysticism, the Wise Woman Tradition, and others. Today, in addition to building courses and community for LSRF, she leads workshops and coaches individuals to discover, nourish and live from their most authentic selves. Learn more about Jackie's work at asimplevibrantlife.com.“I think when we embrace impermanence a certain grace can enter into our lives. We can treasure experiences, we can feel deeply, all without clinging. We're free to savor and touch the texture of every passing moment.” – Frank OstaseskiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My dear friend Lauren De Vine joins us for a tender discussion about integrating the many different versions of ourselves, even if it may be uncomfortable for us or disappoint others. We explore themes of trauma, forgiveness, and the practice of regularly asking ourselves challenging but liberating questions to move through this world with open-heartedness with a few tips from Vinny Ferraro, Frank Ostaseski, and Jiddu Krishnamurti. To learn more about Lauren, visit her website HeyLDV.com, or connect with her on Instagram at @lauren_de.vine. CONNECT WITH LOVE LETTERS AND MIXTAPES Send me a love letter: lovelettersandmixtapes@gmail.com IG @LOVELETTERSANDMIXTAPES Spotify @LOVELETTERSANDMIXTAPES TikTok @LOVELETTERSANDMIXTAPES Twitter @LOVELETTERSNMIX

Join host Ned Buskirk in conversation with Frank Ostaseski - internationally respected Buddhist teacher, visionary cofounder of the Zen Hospice Project, & founder of the Metta Institute - while they talk about remaining vulnerably present in service of patients, how we should let our tears run instead of hiding them, & moving beyond the idea of a good death.This conversation originally aired July 8th, 2021.frank ostaseski'swebsite: https://frankostaseski.com/ The Five Invitations: https://fiveinvitations.com/FB: https://www.facebook.com/frankostaseski/ Produced by Nick JainaSoundscaping by Nick Jaina”YG2D Podcast Theme Song” by Nick JainaTHIS PODCAST IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT FROM LISTENERS LIKE YOU.Become a podcast patron now at https://www.patreon.com/YG2D.

Sam Harris speaks with Frank Ostaseski about death and dying—and about how the awareness of death can improve our lives in each moment. Frank Ostaseski is a Buddhist teacher, international lecturer, and a leading voice in end-of-life care. In 1987, he co-founded the Zen Hospice Project, the first Buddhist hospice in America. In 2004, he created the Metta Institute to provide innovative educational programs and professional trainings that foster compassionate, mindfulness-based care. Mr. Ostaseski's groundbreaking work has been widely featured in the media, including the Bill Moyers television series On Our Own Terms, the PBS series With Eyes Open, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and in numerous print publications. AARP magazine named him one of America's 50 most innovative people. In 2001, he was honored by the Dalai Lama for his many years of compassionate service to the dying and their families. He is the author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully. mettainstitute.org Fiveinvitations.com   Episodes that have been re-released as part of the Best of Making Sense series may have been edited for relevance since their original airing.

“Stay close and do nothing.” Frank Ostaseski shares from his deep personal experience walking along so many people in the dying process about what it means to surrender to death. […]

“Acceptance is kind of a choice. We say, I accept this. That's the way they are. Surrender feels different. It feels like, we're not just distancing ourself from something, but we're expanding around the thing that was giving us trouble. So it doesn't have such a stranglehold on us, in a way. And with acceptance, comes a gateway to something appreciably deeper, which is the possibility of transformation, the possibility of using the situation that we find ourself in, as if it's a step in our growth and our further discovery of who we are.” So says the enduringly wise Buddhist teacher Frank Ostaseski, a leading figure in the contemplative care for the dying, having co-founded the acclaimed Zen Hospice Center. In 2004, he established the Metta Institute, which offers innovative training and education for compassionate end-of-life care. His book, The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully, explores the wisdom that emerges from embracing mortality, which guides our conversation today. Frank invites us to consider how we approach the small endings that occur in our everyday life—how do you say goodbye?—along with the practice of listening intently. Ultimately, though, our conversation circles what it means to surrender to circumstances we cannot control.  MORE FROM FRANK OSTASESKI: The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully Frank's Website The Metta Institute To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Mindful Monday, Emilía reads a powerful story from Frank Ostaseski's Five Invitations demonstrating the healing power of love."In the horror of my own suffering, I always had held out the hope that one day someone would rescue me. I had imagined that I would be saved by love coming toward me. Just the opposite. I was rescued when love came through me." - Frank Ostaseski

The Best of Making Sense with Sam Harris ✓ Claim Podcast Notes M Podcast Notes Premium pulls out the signal from the noise so you can save time and learn more.NEW – AI Powered Answers EnginePremium members get unlimited access to Notes and Collections.Collections integrate the key information on the most important aspects of life, business, and health.They also provide a comprehensive set of lessons from the world's greatest minds (Huberman, Naval, Elon, Chamath, and many more).With Podcast Notes Premium, you get unlimited Podcast Notes browsing (over 1,000 notes since 2015), plus 100% ad-free content across all platforms.You'll also get early exclusive Notes on podcasts before they are published even!Additional benefits include limited edition Podcast Notes magnet/stickers, entry into the Podcast Notes Premium community, priority Podcast Notes episode requests, and access to the Podcast Notes email archives (which contain every weekly email since 2015).Read the full notes @ podcastnotes.orgSam Harris speaks with Frank Ostaseski about death and dying—and about how the awareness of death can improve our lives in each moment. Frank Ostaseski is a Buddhist teacher, international lecturer, and a leading voice in end-of-life care. In 1987, he co-founded the Zen Hospice Project, the first Buddhist hospice in America. In 2004, he created the Metta Institute to provide innovative educational programs and professional trainings that foster compassionate, mindfulness-based care. Mr. Ostaseski's groundbreaking work has been widely featured in the media, including the Bill Moyers television series On Our Own Terms, the PBS series With Eyes Open, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and in numerous print publications. AARP magazine named him one of America's 50 most innovative people. In 2001, he was honored by the Dalai Lama for his many years of compassionate service to the dying and their families. He is the author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully. mettainstitute.org Fiveinvitations.com   Episodes that have been re-released as part of the Best of Making Sense series may have been edited for relevance since their original airing.  

In this episode, we explore Sam's conversations about the phenomenon of death. We begin with an introduction from Sam as he urges us to use our awareness of death to become more present in our day-to-day lives. We then hear a conversation between Sam and Frank Ostaseski, founder of the Zen Hospice Project, who shares the valuable lessons he has learned through caring for those in their very last days. Next, we move on to a conversation with Scott Barry Kaufman, who explains what it means to pursue a good life by putting a modern spin on Abraham Maslow's famous hierarchy of needs. Researcher and professor of neuroscience Roland Griffiths then details his findings on psychedelic therapies. He and Sam discuss the inexplicable powers of psychedelics in easing the anxiety around death, and how these experiences can potentially help us live fuller lives. Shifting perspectives, we move on by hearing NYU professor Scott Galloway explain the social and economic impacts of a society made painfully aware of death by the COVID-19 pandemic. We then listen in to author Oliver Burkeman as he outlines how the knowledge of our mortality can inform practical time management techniques before addressing an age-old question with physicist Geoffrey West: Theoretically, could we engineer humans to live forever? Sam closes this episode with a solo talk, explaining that we needn't be cynical about the fact that all life must come to an end. Instead, it is the transient nature of life that might be the very thing which makes it beautiful in the first place.   About the Series Filmmaker Jay Shapiro has produced The Essential Sam Harris, a new series of audio documentaries exploring the major topics that Sam has focused on over the course of his career. Each episode weaves together original analysis, critical perspective, and novel thought experiments with some of the most compelling exchanges from the Making Sense archive. Whether you are new to a particular topic, or think you have your mind made up about it, we think you'll find this series fascinating.  

In this episode, we explore Sam’s conversations about the phenomenon of death. We begin with an introduction from Sam as he urges us to use our awareness of death to become more present in our day-to-day lives. We then hear a conversation between Sam and Frank Ostaseski, founder of the Zen Hospice Project, who shares the valuable lessons he has learned through caring for those in their very last days. Next, we move on to a conversation with Scott Barry Kaufman, who explains what it means to pursue a good life by putting a modern spin on Abraham Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs. Researcher and professor of neuroscience Roland Griffiths then details his findings on psychedelic therapies. He and Sam discuss the inexplicable powers of psychedelics in easing the anxiety around death, and how these experiences can potentially help us live fuller lives. Shifting perspectives, we move on by hearing NYU professor Scott Galloway explain the social and economic impacts of a society made painfully aware of death by the COVID-19 pandemic. We then listen in to author Oliver Burkeman as he outlines how the knowledge of our mortality can inform practical time management techniques before addressing an age-old question with physicist Geoffrey West: Theoretically, could we engineer humans to live forever? Sam closes this episode with a solo talk, explaining that we needn’t be cynical about the fact that all life must come to an end. Instead, it is the transient nature of life that might be the very thing which makes it beautiful in the first place. About the Series Filmmaker Jay Shapiro has produced The Essential Sam Harris, a new series of audio documentaries exploring the major topics that Sam has focused on over the course of his career. Each episode weaves together original analysis, critical perspective, and novel thought experiments with some of the most compelling exchanges from the Making Sense archive. Whether you are new to a particular topic, or think you have your mind made up about it, we think you’ll find this series fascinating.

How do we move towards the light of absolute truth while accepting and honoring our very human nature?” In this vulnerable, raw talk, Frank Ostaseski shares his heart with us […]

"Death is not waiting for us at the end of a long road. Death is always with us, in the marrow of every passing moment. She is the secret teacher hiding in plain sight, helping us to discover what matters most."   So writes Frank Ostaseski, an internationally respected Buddhist teacher and pioneer in end-of-life care. Frank is the founder of the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco, the first Buddhist hospice in America. Over the course of his career, Frank has accompanied over 1000 people through the dying process; these experiences have taught him lessons on how maintaining an ever-present consciousness of death can bring us closer to our most authentic selves. He describes these lessons in his bestselling 2017 book, The Five Invitations. In this episode, Frank joins us to share hard-earned wisdom from his unique life journey. Over the course of our deeply reflective and even meditative conversation, we discuss matters ranging from Japanese death poems, to Buddhist mindfulness practices, to what courage looks like in the face of death.In this episode, you will hear about:How the AIDS crisis led to the founding of the Zen Hospice Project - 2:16What Frank's work looks like on a daily basis - 3:52Frank's role as an ‘interpreter' between patients and doctors - 5:57How clinicians can develop their own rituals in the process of healing patients - 9:09How Frank makes sense of the grief and suffering he witnesses and, despite it all, keep his spirit balanced - 13:40How the tenets of Buddhism influenced care at the Zen Hospice Project - 25:58How progresses in modern medicine sometimes hinders us in our acceptance of the impermanence and inevitability of death - 33:56Lessons on love, mindfulness, and finding meaning from Frank's stories of patients at the end of life - 38:20The Five Invitations and what they look like in practice - 45:20Frank Ostaseski is the author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully.Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show, available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you know of a doctor, patient, or anyone working in health care who would love to explore meaning in medicine with us on the show, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments or send an email to info@thedoctorsart.com.Copyright The Doctor's Art Podcast 2022

In the final portion of Love and Death: Opening the Great Gifts, Frank and Roshi have an extended conversation with program participants about their experiences of love, death, and grief. Frank assures us that when we lose a loved one, we are reconstituted, no longer the same person, and we can never go back, but out […]

In part seven of Love and Death: Opening the Great Gifts, Frank Ostaseski and Roshi Joan Halifax discuss grief as a natural response to both loss of what we've cherished and to what we've wanted but never gotten. Frank assures us that grief, when fully felt, is yet another face of love.We also hear a beautiful […]

In part 6 of Love and Death: Opening the Great Gifts, Roshi Joan Halifax and Frank Ostaseski converse with program participants about grieving personal loss, including the tragic loss of suicide. The question is, how do we continue to love life, which Frank insists is the whole point of living, in the midst of such suffering? […]

In part five of Love and Death: Opening the Great Gifts, Frank Ostaseksi discusses the four Brahma Viharas or Divine Emotions (loving-kindness, compassion, joy with others, equanimity) as practices through which we cultivate a concentrated mind meeting an ever expanding heart, unbound by an preference. Roshi Joan Halifax describes how her contact with the Brahma Viharas […]

In part four of Love and Death: Opening the Great Gifts, Roshi Joan Halifax guides us through a meditation designed to cut through the sense of loneliness and separateness that pervades so many of our lives. Frank Ostaseski and Roshi both share powerful stories of being with people who are dying, and how it is in facing death, […]

In the third part of Roshi Joan Halifax's and Frank Ostaseski's  “Love and Death: Opening the Great Gifts,” Roshi Joan tells a story about her teacher Thich Nhat Hanh falling in love as a young monk and how he learned about interbeing through the experience. Frank tells stories about lovers separating at the time of death and the healing, as painful as it […]

Responding with Heart to Painful Times: A Conversation with Tara & Frank Ostaseski - This event includes short talks addressing the suffering so many are experiencing, and questions and engagement with participants