Healing with Death Imagery (Imagery and Human Development Series) - Hardcover

Sheikh, Anees Ahmad; Sheikh, Katharina

9780895033178: Healing with Death Imagery (Imagery and Human Development Series)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0895033178 ISBN 13: 9780895033178

Publisher: Routledge, 2007

Sages of various traditions and ages have reiterated that we must incorporate the inevitability of death into the fabric of life to experience life's breadth and beauty. Imagery is an important tool in dealing with death, and this book is devoted to exploring many facets of this fascinating issue. It begins with an overview of ancient and modern approaches to the use of death imagery for therapeutic purposes, including a discussion of its possible benefits. Chapter 2, specifically exploring Stephen Levine's contributions in this area, shows that only by opening up to the reality of death can one make living a conscious process of growth. A number of excellent imagery-based experiential exercises are discussed in detail. Chapter 3 demonstrates the significance of confronting death through mental and artistic images; it discusses six examples of death-related religious and existential works of art.Recently there has been an upsurge of interest in near-death experiences and their salutary effects on attitudes, beliefs, and values. Of particular interest here are increases in spirituality, concern for others, an appreciation of life, and an enhanced sense of meaning and purpose in life. Chapter 4 presents a detailed critical overview of this field of investigation, with special emphasis on the transformatory after-effects of near-death experiences. Of all the major religions in the world, Buddhism is at the forefront of exploring the topic of death and dying and developing specific meditative exercises for confronting death.Chapter 5 presents an in-depth treatment of death imagery in Buddhist thought. Exploring the use of hypnosis for death rehearsal, Chapter 6 continues the theme that confrontation with death can lead to healthful consequences. A variation of this technique, hypnotic suicidal rehearsal, is also discussed: it seems to be effective for use with clients who are contemplating suicide. Case examples clarify the details of the process.Over the years, several clinicians have proposed the use of imagery for reconstructing death-related events and thereby facilitating the grieving process for individuals who are experiencing symptoms rooted in unfinished grieving. Chapter 7 gives an exhaustive account of the use of imagery for unresolved grieving, including a number of case histories. Researchers have perhaps devoted more time and energy to the investigation of death anxiety than any other death-related topic. Chapter 8 reviews the literature on death anxiety and death imagery, and demonstrates a core connection between the two phenomena. The authors claim that death imagery has the potential not only to ameliorate death anxiety but also to lead to a more authentic existence.In Chapter 9, the authors explain how death imagery can be used constructively in death education; they present several practical suggestions and specific guided imagery exercises. The volume closes with a presentation of a detailed death-imagery experiential exercise aimed at encountering death to enhance our appreciation of life. The reader will notice this thread running steadily throughout the book. This comprehensive book devoted to the role of death imagery in health and growth, perhaps the first of its kind, will be helpful in changing the rather sinister view of death, prevalent in our culture, to a deeper appreciation for its enhancing potential.

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From the Publisher:

Intended Audience: All health professionals and students who are studying to join the health professions.

About the Author:

ABOUT THE EDITORS Anees A. Sheikh is professor and former chair of the Department of Psychology at Marquette University and clinical professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He was the founding editor of the Journal of Mental Imagery, served as president of the American Association for the Study of Mental Imagery, and was an Alumni-in-Residence Fellow at the East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Sheikh has published numerous scholarly articles and fourteen books on imagery and related topics, and he currently edits the Imagery and Human Development Series.

Katharina S. Sheikh was formerly on the faculty of Clara Schumann Schule, Bonn, Germany, Cardinal Stritch University, and St. Francis de Sales College, Milwaukee. She is president of the Institute for Human Enhancement. Educated in Germany, France, Canada, and the United States, she holds graduate degrees from the University of Toronto and Marquette University, and is co-editor of Imagery in Education and Eastern and Western Approaches to Healing.

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