I have worked in the field of death and dying close to Frank and this book represents the distillation of many years of his efforts. He shows us that if you are to die consciously, there's no time like the present to prepare. This book is a loving, compassionate reminder that the best preparation for death is a life fully lived -- Ram Dass, author of the bestseller Be Here Now
Frank is a pioneer in mindful care at the end of life. He embodies the wisdom and compassion he shares in these magical and compelling pages. You feel it instantly, because it is real, and it is really about you and your life * Jon Kabat-Zinn founder of MBSR Author, Full Catastrophe Living and Coming to Our Senses *
Frank Ostaseski has brought together wisdom and compassion in his life and his long years of work with the dying. We will all be enriched, inspired, and edified by his extraordinary book on how facing death can enrich our life -- Joan Halifax Roshi, Ph.D., Founder & Abbot, Upaya Zen Center
Exquisitely profound and gut-wrenchingly real, I'm not sure a wiser book has been written in the digital age. Frank's storytelling helped me to see that to step fully into life we need to embrace death as an adventure rather than an adversary * Chip Conley Author, The New York Times bestseller, Emotional Equations Head of Global Hospitality & Strategy, AirBnB *
The Five Invitations is a remarkable book, one that is deeply needed by all of us. Five invitations to live our lives fully, in the present, all the way through. Frank Ostaseski, whose journey spans over three decades of creating and participating in the hospice movement, imparts timeless wisdom that should inform our every day: How to embrace uncertainty and live with joy, peace and acceptance. This is not a book about death, it's a book about life and living. Buy it, Share it, Live it - I know I will * Henry S. Lodge M.D. Robert Burch Family Professor of Medicine co-author Younger Next Year series *
Frank inspires us to live with joy by fully embracing all facets of life including our dying. With heartfelt compassion and wisdom gathered over 30 years as a Buddhist teacher and hospice founder he helps us understand that love matters most * Chad-Meng Tan, Google's Jolly Good Fellow and author of Joy on Demand and Search Inside Yourself *
Frank Ostaseski speaks with clear wisdom and deep compassion. Sharing stories and insights from his decades of working with people at the very end of their lives, his ultimate revelation has to do with how meaningful, in both our living and our dying, is the capacity to be open to and present in grace. His words offer much worthy of contemplation and his service to all of us is worthy of deep respect * Kathleen Dowling Singh Author, Grace in Dying: How We Are Transformed Spiritually As We Die and The Grace in Aging: Awaken As You Grow Old *
As a physician and neurosurgeon, I have learned that those who have truly lived are those that understand death as an integral part of life. In Frank Ostaseski's profound book, The Five Invitations, he shares this reality, giving us insights and wisdom on the nature of dying but more importantly on how to truly live * James R. Doty, M.D., Professor of Neurosurgery, Founder and Director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Stanford University School of Medicine and New York Times bestselling author of Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart *
This is a gem of a book! With a lifetime of inspiring service and deep spiritual wisdom to draw from, Frank Ostaseski has given us all a gift straight from the heart. The lessons shared in The Five Invitations are valuable to people at any phase of life. Whether facing your own imminent death or that of a loved one, coping with crisis, or simply looking to embrace and enjoy life more fully, you will find the wisdom offered in these pages inspiring and enlightening * James Baraz, Author of Awakening Joy: Ten Steps to Happiness, Co-founding teacher, Spirit Rock Meditation Center *
How to die and how to be with the dying are questions everyone faces. Here are sharp, insightful answers from one of the great end-of-life counselors * Stewart Brand, Creator, Whole Earth Catalog *
I love this book and its gentle, radical, charming, wild and comforting truths about how to live and die and be. It may well be the most important book you read this year. -- Anne Lamott, New York Times bestselling author of Help, Thanks, Wow
[This] beautiful book softened my heart and taught me things I did not know I needed to learn. As The Five Invitations shows, death is more than a medical event. It happens within a web of relationships. Frank Ostaseski shows us how to act?and simply be?with a skillful heart, when supporting those in our care. -- Katy Butler, author of The Art of Dying Well and Knocking on Heaven's Door
This is a wise, lucid, beautiful book that will help you be less afraid and more alive. Read it as soon as you can; it will change you. -- Dr Lucy Kalanithi
I keep this book by my bedside. It's the best, most true, penetrating advice I know. How to live, how to die. Written with clear, engaging prose?it's unbeatable. Do not waste your life?get it! -- Natalie Goldberg, author of Let the Whole Thundering World Come Home and Writing Down the Bones
As a physician, I often work with people who view death as the ultimate isolating experience, solitary confinement for eternity?the ultimate dark terror. In this extraordinary, eloquent, and powerful book, Frank Ostaseski reveals how we can transform this darkness into a bright light (brilliant in every way), a return to the source, the ultimate in intimacy, healing, and meaning?the essence of love. What could be better than that? -- Dean Ornish, M.D. and New York Times bestselling author of The Spectrum
Our capacity to live and love fully awakens as we open our hearts to death. Frank Ostaseski guides us in this opening with a luminous wisdom derived from his own full immersion in the journey. Please give yourself to The Five Invitations; these teachings reveal the mystery and beauty of our essential Being. -- Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge
Stephen always had great trust in Frank's good heart. As his teacher and longtime friend he encouraged Frank to write and share his wisdom on conscious living and conscious dying. Finally, we have this gift to the world. This book is a beautiful, loving gift and a manifestation of a lifetime of selfless service and compassionate care. -- Ondrea Levine coauthor with Stephen Levine of Who Dies: An Investigation of Conscious Living and Conscious Dying
Frank Ostaseski is one of the great contemporary teachers of ancient Buddhist wisdom and practice. Over the years, his teachings have informed both my meditative and clinical practices. Now, through The Five Invitations a broader audience can benefit from Frank's insights, soulful perspectives, and practical guidance. What a gift! -- Ira Byock M.D., international leader in palliative care, Chief Medical Officer for the Institute for Human Caring of Providence Health and Services, and author of The Four Things That Matter Most
The Five Invitations is a remarkable book, one that is deeply needed by all of us. Five invitations to live our lives fully, in the present, all the way through. Frank Ostaseski, whose journey spans over three decades of creating and participating in the hospice movement, imparts timeless wisdom that should inform our every day: How to embrace uncertainty and live with joy, peace, and acceptance. This is not a book about death, it's a book about life and living. Buy it, share it, live it?I know I will. -- Henry S. Lodge, M.D., Robert Burch Family Professor of Medicine, and coauthor of the Younger Next Year series
A powerful book by my good friend Frank Ostaseski, who has brought together wisdom and compassion in his life and his long years of work with the dying. We will all be enriched, inspired, and edified by his extraordinary book on how facing death can enrich our life. -- Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D., founder and abbot at the Upaya Zen Center, and author of Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death
