My Journey Into 'Death and Dying'

Diane tells Eulogy of how she was changed by a workshop called Death and Dying.

Five years ago, I was at a music festival. As part of the festival, there were a series of workshops, one of which was run by a lady by the name of Archa. I was intrigued – the subject of her workshop was death and dying. Though only short, the workshop gave me a glimpse of what the full experience of Archa's weekend workshop could hold for me. I decided that, one day, I would go on the Death and Dying workshop.

In November 2010, that 'one day' finally arrived. I was booked on the workshop and found myself on an amazing journey into myself and my life.

The workshop had a sense of unfolding, which reflected the feeling of unfolding within myself. Each exercise that we did gently coaxed me along a fabulous exploration of what death is really about. Of course, as anyone who has ever looked at teachings about death will know, the exploration was also about life - the life that each one of us was living.

A part of me would love to say exactly what the exercises were, but that would be unfair to you if ou choose to go on this workshop, as you would need to experience this unfolding in your own way. However, something I can say is that I met and had a direct conversation with Death - which was astonishing. I also came away with the reassurance that if I am with someone in their final moments on this planet, that I will be able to cope with this. Not only that, but that I will do whatever the person needs.

Many of us in our society are conditioned to fear death, as if by fearing it we might somehow avoid it. After experiencing Death and Dying, I found that many people who I spoke to about the workshop were clearly discomforted. My heart just went out to them, wanting to reassure them, knowing that if they could just experience the things that I had had the privilege to experience, they might find ease and comfort.

I have recommended this workshop to many people. For me, it was the 'final piece' in my quest to clear some of the stuff from my past, so that I could move forward in the way that I really want to in my life. As Anais Nin said, "People living deeply have no fear of death." I am certainly living my own life more deeply, doing and being so much more.

The ripples from that weekend are always with me, gentle breath at the side of my path, easing my journey forward into exploration - moving onto the next exciting chapters of my life. This is happening, in no small measure, because of Archa and her wonderful team, and a workshop called, "Death and Dying."

Archa's presence is quite beautiful. She is at once welcoming, open, friendly, reassuring, at the same time as having an air of no nonsense, solidity and strength. Supported by her team of co-facilitators (including her husband Sans), they create a space of safety and open-ness. This is all achieved with a wonderful sense of balance, a lightness of touch which is at the same time respectful. Something that I can only call, "Reverent fun".

To find out more about the Death and Dying workshops, visit the Living and Dying Consciously website: http://www.livinganddying.co.uk/index.htm

"I met and had a direct conversation with Death - which was astonishing"

"As Anais Nin said, 'People living deeply have no fear of death'"