After the Darkest Hour: How Suffering Begins the Journey to Wisdom

Rating:
Summary: Its alright to cry!
Review: After the Darkest Hour by Kathleen Brehony taught me it's alright to cry over the loss of a loved one but that we should take something of value from that episode in our life's journey. I am more at peace with myself after six months of substantial grieving over the loss of my wife of 27 years. The book convinced me that I can continue to have a deep relationship with her even though it is in my soul and heart. The book taught me to understand the life cycles and know my place in that cycle and be further strengthened by the tough and sad experience. Hats off to this author for helping me find my real self once again. I plan on giving this book to every friend of mine who has a similar experience in life. God Bless! Grateful from Nevada

Rating:
Summary: A book you will read again - and again!
Review: How is it that some people become bitter while others thrive as they live through difficult or painful experiences? What can we learn that will guide us through our own dark times to greet the dawn with brighter sight?

Most of us are taught to expect tough times - to suffer horribly. We expect to be diminished, to be tested & found wanting. Most of us think grieving is for wimps & the emotionally unstable. We are taught that control is all & surrender cowardly; that destiny rules our lives & choice is for the wealthy. Most of us have been taught poorly & After the Darkest Hour has a lot to help us re-teach ourselves so we may walk our path in our own shoes.

I really relished Dr. Brehony's Practical Suggestions & her stories as she recounts her insights from the lessons her clients & family taught her.

After the Darkest Hour is a rich & thoughtful read. While gently instructive, it does remind us, frequently, that we are not alone & that walking blindly through our lives will surely cause us to whack our shins on what we insist upon not seeing or believing that no one else, ever, has felt or known such misery. Do visit my site for my full review.

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Summary: One of the most helpful books during grieving
Review: I read several books, all of which were helpful to me recently when I lost someone I loved. This book, however, stayed with me. I couldn't put it down and read it all within two nights, actually three, because I saved the last few pages until the third night (didn't want it to end). I had taken it out at the library, but after reading it decided to buy it from Amazon. Brehony incorporates all types of religious themes/spiritual themes into this book and really gave me a wonderful introduction to Budhism - which I have begun to practice after reading some of the stories and quotes in her book. She does not push any of the religions or spiritual teachings she uses, however, but she presents them in such a way that the reader is helped. I am still grieving and I plan on re-reading her book once I get it from Amazon. I have realized that nothing can truly take away the pain I have from my loss, but Kathleen's book has helped me to see that the best thing I can do is to feel how I feel, instead of figuring out how to run away from it. I recommend this book highly and if you are very open, you might try reading Walking in the Garden of Souls, by George Anderson, which also helped comfort me during this time (although some people may not be open to some of his ideas). At the very least, read Kathleen's book, I felt as if she was sitting next to me helping me through this difficult period of time. It helps because grieving can feel very lonely at times.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most helpful books during grieving
Review: I read several books, all of which were helpful to me recently when I lost someone I loved. This book, however, stayed with me. I couldn't put it down and read it all within two nights, actually three, because I saved the last few pages until the third night (didn't want it to end). I had taken it out at the library, but after reading it decided to buy it from Amazon. Brehony incorporates all types of religious themes/spiritual themes into this book and really gave me a wonderful introduction to Budhism - which I have begun to practice after reading some of the stories and quotes in her book. She does not push any of the religions or spiritual teachings she uses, however, but she presents them in such a way that the reader is helped. I am still grieving and I plan on re-reading her book once I get it from Amazon. I have realized that nothing can truly take away the pain I have from my loss, but Kathleen's book has helped me to see that the best thing I can do is to feel how I feel, instead of figuring out how to run away from it. I recommend this book highly and if you are very open, you might try reading Walking in the Garden of Souls, by George Anderson, which also helped comfort me during this time (although some people may not be open to some of his ideas). At the very least, read Kathleen's book, I felt as if she was sitting next to me helping me through this difficult period of time. It helps because grieving can feel very lonely at times.

Rating:
Summary: A book you will read again - and again!
Review: I stumbled upon this book when I needed to read it most, proving "of course", that there are no "coincidences!" Don't even open the cover until you have a highlighter in hand, as you will want to go back and read again - and again - and again...

Easy to read, very well organized, thought provoking. This is NOT a sad book, in spite of the title. Communicates a great understanding - makes sense of suffering - allows the reader to move on, and begin the "journey to wisdom."

Many of my books find their way, ultimately, to a second hand bookshop. Not this one... it has found a place on my permanent collection shelf. Thanks, Kathleen. Well done.

Rating:
Summary: Being Human is a Guest House
Review: The Arthor's quote from Rumi at the end of the book says the whole thing. It's what the book is all about. It is a lesson is dealing with adversity, here is an excerpt from that Quote! "This being human is a guest house, Every Morning a New Arrival! Welcome and entertain them all. Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight!. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and INVITE THEM IN. Be grateful for whomever comes, beacause each has been sent as aguide from beyond!"

Brehony concludes this remarkable treatise by saying, "Say yes to all of your life. Choose to live joyfully even in your pain. Love yourself and everyone else. Be present always, alive to every moment. Grieve when you should, fight when you can, accept when you must. But above all say YES!.

Get this book and never put it aside, keep it handy for reference. When a friend is in sorrow, look closely again through "After the Darkest Hour" and you will find a comforting thought to share with your friend and the both of you will be the better for the sharing. It worked for me.

BN

Rating:
Summary: Which will you choose?
Review: With this book, Kathleen Brehony has eloquently reminded us that through our suffering, we are sometimes given our most precious gifts. How we choose to deal with our grief makes all the difference; will we choose love over hate, wisdom over ignorance, compassion over bitterness, or life over death? Which will you choose? Read this book & share it with someone you love!