A Buddhist Grief Observed

A Buddhist scholar and teacher suffers deep grief, “a season in hell,” after the death of his wife. Amid the world-shattering pain of loss, what helps?

In this brave record of his devastating experience, Guy Newland recounts falling to pieces and then learning to make sense of his pain and grief within the Buddhist tradition.

A Buddhist Grief Observed finds inspiration from all corners of the Buddhist world, drawing on Dogen and the Dalai Lama, Pema Chodron and ancient Pali texts. It reflects on what practices and teachings actually helped the author from personal experience rather than a dogmatic position.

Reverberating with honesty, kindness and deep compassion, A Buddhist Grief Observed conveys the value of responding fully and authentically to the death of a loved one. Newland reminds those in anguish that they are not alone — and helps all of us understand better how to comfort those who suffer traumatic loss.

Guy Newland is Professor of Religion and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Central Michigan University, where he has taught since 1988. He has authored, edited, and translated several books on Tibetan Buddhism, including the three-volume translation of The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment and Introduction to Emptiness. Since the loss of his wife Valerie Stephens in 2013, he has expanded his teachings, given to Universities and Dharma centers, which include topics on death, dying, and grief. ?He lives in Mount Pleasant, MI.