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The Wild Edge of Sorrow cover art

The Wild Edge of Sorrow

By: Francis Weller, Michael Lerner - foreword
Narrated by: Derek Botten
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Summary

Noted psychotherapist Francis Weller provides an essential guide for navigating the deep waters of sorrow and loss in this lyrical yet practical handbook for mastering the art of grieving. Describing how Western patterns of amnesia and anesthesia affect our capacity to cope with personal and collective sorrows, Weller reveals the new vitality we may encounter when we welcome, rather than fear, the pain of loss. Through moving personal stories, poetry, and insightful reflections, he leads us into the central energy of sorrow and to the profound healing and heightened communion with each other and our planet that reside alongside it.

The Wild Edge of Sorrow explains that grief has always been communal and illustrates how we need the healing touch of others, an atmosphere of compassion, and the comfort of ritual in order to fully metabolize our grief. Weller describes how we often hide our pain from the world, wrapping it in a secret mantle of shame. This causes sorrow to linger unexpressed in our bodies, weighing us down and pulling us into the territory of depression and death. We have come to fear grief and feel too alone to face an encounter with the powerful energies of sorrow.

Those who work with people in grief, who have experienced the loss of a loved one, who mourn the ongoing destruction of our planet, or who suffer the accumulated traumas of a lifetime will appreciate the discussion of obstacles to successful grief work such as privatized pain, lack of communal rituals, a pervasive feeling of fear, and a culturally restrictive range of emotion. Weller highlights the intimate bond between grief and gratitude, sorrow and intimacy. In addition to showing us that the greatest gifts are often hidden in the things we avoid, he offers powerful tools and rituals and a list of resources to help us transform grief into a force that allows us to live and love more fully.

©2015 Francis Weller (P)2016 North Atlantic Books

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What listeners say about The Wild Edge of Sorrow

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

lack rituals detail

would have liked more detail on the specifics of the rituals rather than listening to vague accounts of a ritual before diving into the tremendous benefits that was gained from it. There was a few good examples told just not enough more my liking. Definitely worth a read as very interesting subject.

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Beautifully Written - hugely inspiring. Warmly delivered.

A hugely comforting read and easy listen. Gentle and compassionate. Gently nudging us to see the beauty that can be expanded within us through sorrow and grief. Thank you x

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Wonderful

A classic book. One to refer to again and again. I quite liked the narrator.

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Beautifully written

In the midst of grief this book has comforted and welcomed release. A beautiful listen.

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powerful and useful

enlightened approaches to different forms of grief. some elements of grief ritual may feel somewhat alien to some, but the overarching messaging and normalisation of grief that can sometimes feel taboo in our society are powerful indeed.

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Great book

It really changed the way I saw grief. It invites you to lean towards your pain. Loved it and grateful for the practices as well

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    5 out of 5 stars

How we understand Grief

A very moving account. I will listen again. Some bits I missed. Some bits gave me an insight and confirmed what I didn't have in words. There were times I cried and also laughed. I found the book a medicine without taking the pill. It has opened the door of peace for me.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting and interactive

A great introduction to useful psychology and techniques. Leads to delving deeper afterwards. The whistled letter S by the narrator was irritating.

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Life changing

Thank you for the wisdom held in these words. Deep grateful to have found Francis Wellers inspiring gift

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Gentle and encompassing

The exercises at the end of the book were particularly helpful. What a wonderful read that will stay with me.

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