Don’t forget to look up

On January 10, 2009, I quietly wrote my first blog entry on a blog I called Myles (named after an eighteenth-century Scottish physician who focused on end-of-life care ). That first post, "The Train has left the Station," was followed by 50 others, ending with "The Brakes are Screeching," posted on April 17, 2010. Those blog posts gave voice to the transformation and transition occurring within me.

Abbott Fintan, the ancient Celtic teacher, said, "May you have the courage to know what has hurt you, to bring it close to you, and in the end, become one with you." The Celtic approach to suffering was to lean into it, learn the underlying lesson or message, and then become transformed. Journaling via blog posts allowed me to pay attention to what I was learning and make it shareable.

During this transformation, another unexpected door opened, and I walked over that threshold into a truly liminal space. After providing end-of-life care as a hospice physician since 1990, I was now provided the gift and opportunity to learn, understand, and practice skills and insights that became the keys to my journey as an Anamcara ("soul friend"). I was introduced to the Sacred Art of Living Center in Bend, Oregon. Just as standing in the dark awhile allows one to see the vastness and beauty of the night sky with its innumerable stars and the Milky Way, this introduction at this time in my life allowed me to see how to care for the dying in a new way.

Since then, my journey as a hospice physician has been deeply rooted in mystery, awe, and wonder. My time with countless dying people has taught me many things about dying, but more importantly, about living.

I now have three pedestals from which I teach and share what I have come to understand: First, the dying are our teachers. Second, although the dying process has a medical/physical component, much of it is a spiritual process. Third, we, as our perfectly imperfect selves, are the medicine.

So, now, as I enter the "forest dweller" stage of my life, I have decided to return to that which started me on this journey 15 years ago: blogging. In this space, I will share what I have been privileged to learn from countless mentors, colleagues, and from those facing the abyss. My posts will include insights, observations, opinions, facts, history, and musings. I hope to encourage you to do your own work and to see what mystery, awe, and wonder show up in your night sky.

Bás sona.