Book Review #2 The Five Invitations



"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." 
FRANK OSTASESKI

I found out about this book whilst listening to an interview with the author Frank Ostaseski on the Ten Percent Happier podcast with Dan Harris. Having loved every minute of the podcast, I couldn't help but buy this book.

From the moment I opened this book, I couldn't put it down. Frank takes you on a journey sharing the wisdom learnt through his unique mixture of Zen meditation & insight, as well as his experience helping those with life threatening and terminal illnesses. He bares his soul in this book, showing his vulnerabilities and faults, drawing you into his world. I certainly do not know if I would have the courage to approach, let alone face some of the difficulties he went through. He shows the reader that with perseverance and the right method, you can transform yourself for the betterment of those around you. That truly Buddhist approach of seeing obstacles and using them as life lessons, always finding something positive from them. 

The medical patients that Frank comes into contact with throughout this book are some of the most amazing people you can imagine. They are a mixture of angry, sarcastic, sceptical, loving and even forgiving. Frank shares that by applying a quiet, loving and open approach people can warm to you no matter how angry they may be, if only you take the time to listen and be present, even if sitting in silence is required. This absence of judgment and openness that Frank adopts allows him to turn up with an open heart, listening and learn deeply from every interaction he has with his dying patients. I often found myself laughing and crying, as I thumbed my way through this treasure trove of insight into the worlds of people who are close to death, a journey we will all take one day.

Reading this book, you feel like you are there with Frank every step of the way and this makes the book really powerful. It is so powerful in fact, I have sent copies of this book to friends as gifts since reading it. But don't take my word for it, grab a copy at your local library or buy a copy and give it a shot. 


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