The Restorative Nature of Ongoing Connections with the Deceased: Exploring Presence Within Absence

Description

The Restorative Nature of Ongoing Connections with the Deceased is a guide to stimulating thought and discussion about ongoing attachments between bereaved individuals and their deceased loved ones. Cover Endorsements Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Tables Abbreviations Contributors Series Editor's Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Introduction The Ubiquity of Presence within Absence after Death Sarah and Her Daughter Restorative Potential of Presence within Absence Shaman Clergy Psychotherapist Inviting the Presence of the Deceased When Presence within Absence Becomes a Fixation The Neurobiology of Presence within Absence Restorative Healing References Section I: Faith Tradition Perspectives 1. Faith Traditions: A Historical and Contemporary Framework Introduction The Origins of Spiritual Wisdom The Shift from a Feminine to a Masculine Understanding of God The Evolution of the Idea of Heaven Religions Bring a Wide Variety of Understandings about Life and Death Egocentrism, Spiritual Wisdom, and God Orthodoxy and Mysticism References 2. Buddhist and Attachment Perspectives on the End of Life Introduction Buddhist Principles Interpersonal Neurobiological Perspectives Meditation Attachment Theory The Importance of Professional Caregivers Existential Realities The Illusion of Control Impermanence Loss of Cherished Relationship Conclusion References 3. A Shamanic Experience of Restoration: Journeying, Ritual, and Ceremony Introduction Understanding Shamanism Therapeutic Relationship A Healing Setting Conceptual Scheme or Myth Collaborative Ritual or Procedure to Restore Health Journeying Summary References 4. A Christian Way of Making Sense of Life and Death Introduction A Transforming Moment Making Sense of Life and Death The Variety of Christian Understandings of Life and Death Orthodoxy Mysticism Spiritual Practices The Energies That Move Us Faith Hope Love Eternal Life The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Conclusion References 5. Forming Paths of Continuing Connection from a Jewish Perspective Introduction The Rabbi's Secret Book Remembering Who We Are Birth, Life, and Death Personal Experiences Energies That Transcend Physical Death The Spiritual Dimension Summary 6. Connecting through the Heart with the Deceased: A Muslim View Introduction Step 1: Re-educating and Reassuring the Heart The "Hadith" of Munkar and Nakir Judgment Day Heaven and Hell Spiritual Understanding of the Journey of the Soul Step 2: Honoring and Remembering our Departed Loved Ones Remembrance Righteous Deeds Step 3: Connecting with Our Departed Loved Ones Spiritual Practices Sacred Holding Expression and Resolution What about God? Personal Experience Note References 7. Eternal Bond with the Deceased: A Hindu Perspective Introduction Continuing Bond with the Deceased Soul Is Eternal—A Hindu Belief Eternal Bond with the Deceased: The Hindu View and Traditions The Therapeutic Value of the Rite of Passage Samskara: The Hindu Rite of Passage Antyeshti: The Antim Samskara (The Final Ritual) Facilitating the Deceased's Onward Journey: The Hindu Enduring Bond Presence Beyond Absence: Invoking and Re-bonding with the Deceased The Hindu Way to Eternal Bonding with the Deceased Notes References Section II: Clinical Implications 8. Restorative Internalization Principles of Restorative Adaptation Neurobiological Neuropsychological Neurodevelopmental Restorative Retelling of the Presence within Absence The Third Space with the Presence within Absence Gloria's Restorative Separation and Individuation References 9. From Retelling to Reintegration: Narrative Fixation and the Reconstruction of Meaning Introduction Narrative Resilience: The Anatomy of Adaptation Signs of Risk for Maladaptive Grieving Evaluating the Client's Need and Readiness Staging the Intervention Bracing, Pacing, and Facing Restorative Reintegration: A Case Example Conclusion References 10. Grieving in the Wind Telephone Booth Introduction The 2011 Japanese Disaster Grieving in the Wind Telephone Booth Relationship to Psychotherapy Human Cognition and Speech Conclusion References 11. Limitations of Traumatic Grief Therapy: The Palliative Embrace of a Homicidal Dying Frequency of Successful Outcome with Grief Interventions "I Don't Think Anything Is Going to Help Me" A Case Review References Section III: Research Considerations 12. Sensory and Quasi-Sensory Experiences of the Deceased in Bereavement: An Overview of the Literature Introduction: A Common Yet Controversial Phenomenon What Are Sensory and Quasi-Sensory Experiences of the Deceased Like? Who Experiences Sensory and Quasi-Sensory Experiences of the Deceased? How Do Experiencers Make Sense of SED at a Personal and Situational Level? How Do Experiencers Make Sense of SED at an Existential and Global Level? Are SED Associated with Distress? Implications for Practice References 13. Internet Resources for the Bereaved: Facebook's Influence on the Grieving Process Introduction Background Grieving a Loved One: Facebook vs. Traditional Mourning Practices Empirical Research Recommendations for Future Research Note References 14. Complicated Spiritual Grief: Wrestling with Faith in the Wake of Loss Introduction Complicated Spiritual Grief Complicated Spiritual Grief and Bereavement Distress Examples of Complicated Spiritual Grief In Relation to God In Relation to the Griever's Spiritual Community Substantial Changes in Grievers' Spiritual Beliefs and Behaviors Sensing God's Absence Afterlife Concerns Spirituality as Both Solace and Struggle Discussion References 15. Psychic Mediums for the Bereaved: Exploring Their Procedures and Contemplating the Use of Their Services Introduction Belief in Psychics and Mediums Who Is Most Likely to Seek the Services of a Medium and Why? Types of Messages Received Scientific Studies Pertaining to Mediums Best Clinical Practices Summary Recommendations for Future Research Conclusion Notes References Section IV: Existential Experiences 16. Restorative Connection with the Deceased: A Panel Interview with Grievers 17. To Seek or Not Seek Contact with the Deceased through a Medium: A Panel Interview with Grievers Introduction Panel of Grievers Kristen Lizzie Debbie Rebekah Audience Participation Discussion References Presence within Absence: Summary Discussion Introduction Brief History of Bereavement Care Faith Traditions and Healing Practices Psychotherapy Presence within Absence Following Loss Empirical Foundation of Presence within Absence The Desire to Reconnect The Role of Belief Clinical Considerations Surrounding Presence within Absence The Restorative Role of Presence within Absence Presence within Absence and Bereavement Distress Distinctive Applications of Presence within Absence When Presence within Absence Stymies Effectual Grief Treatment Clinical Applications In Service of Grievers Conclusion References Index