Awake at the Bedside: Contemplative Teachings on End-of-Life Care

with Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison and Evan Zazula

Six Fridays on January 11th, February 8th, March 8th, April 12th, May 10th, June 14th, 2019

from 2:00PM to 4:00PM

As caregivers, how do we find resilience and equanimity for ourselves as we awaken to and care for the most vulnerable among us?

Drawing on NYZCCC's critically acclaimed book, Awake at the Bedside, we will discuss essays by Dr. Diane Meier, Ram Das, Frank Ostaseski, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Ira Byock, Sensei Robert Chodo Campbell, and Dr. Craig Blinderman and engage in personal and group reflection, consider and discuss specific clinical cases, and engage in meditative and contemplative practices to enhance and sharpen our caregiving skills.

In addition to supporting Zen practice through meditation and study, over the past decade NYZCCC has trained 6,500 caregivers and provided direct care to more than 100,000 patients and their loved ones. This newly created workshop is ideal for social workers, nurses, physicians, professional and family caregivers, and anyone interested in exploring the contemplative art of caregiving.

No prerequisites are required and this course may be taken in conjunction with Foundations In Contemplative Care.

About the Teachers:

Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, MFA, LMSW, DMIN, is a co-founder and guiding teacher at NYZCCC and the academic advisor for Buddhist students in the Master in Pastoral Care and Counseling program at NYZCCC’s education partner, New York Theological Seminary.

Evan Zazula, MAPCC, is a chaplain with The Hertzberg Palliative Care Institute based at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.