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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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With the End in Mind summary
Kathryn Mannix
Dying, Death and Wisdom in an Age of Denial
22 mins
Brief summary
'With the End in Mind' by Kathryn Mannix is a compassionate and insightful guide to death and dying. It blends real-life stories with practical advice, helping readers confront mortality and make the most of the time they have left.
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With the End in Mind
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
There’s a general pattern to the experience of dying, and it’s surpassingly peaceful.
From cancer to Parkinson’s disease, terminal illnesses come in many different forms, but there’s a general pattern to how most terminal patients die.
It begins with a gradual decline in energy, which starts slow and then speeds up over time. At first, you might just feel a difference in your energy level from year to year. Then you’ll notice a reduction from month to month, week to week and, finally, day to day. When you reach that point, it’s a sign that the end is drawing near.
But the end itself is something you won’t experience. That’s because the more you lose your energy, the more you need to sleep, as your body tries to compensate for the loss. Eventually, you’re asleep more than you’re awake each day, and while you’re sleeping, your mind dips into unconsciousness for a period. These periods of unconsciousness become longer and longer until finally, you’re unconscious all the time. As you reach the end of this final stage of dying, your breathing rate becomes slower and slower, until it gently ceases.
As a result, you don’t experience a surge of pain, a feeling of panic or a sense of life fading away in the final moments of dying. In fact, you don’t experience anything at all. It’s not even like falling asleep, where you can notice the transition from one state to the next. Remember, your mind is unconscious at this point, so you don’t perceive what’s happening. It just happens, and then it’s done.
That’s the general pattern, in a nutshell. There are some exceptions, and we’ll look at them in the next blink. But in the author’s professional experience, it’s helpful to know the general pattern for a couple of reasons.
First, it can be comforting to patients and their loved ones. It reassures them that the experience of dying will probably be a lot less painful or dramatic than many of them fear it will be. Second, it can give them time to prepare. If a patient has reached the point where his energy is rapidly diminishing from one day to the next, he and his loved ones know it’s time to start saying goodbye.
Now, let’s look at some exceptions.
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What is With the End in Mind about?
With the End Mind (2017) provides a powerful antidote to the fear, ignorance and misunderstanding that surrounds death in contemporary culture. Through observations and personal reflections, it tells the poignant stories of some terminally ill patients with whom the author has worked over her three-decade career as a palliative care doctor.
With the End in Mind Review
With the End in Mind (2017) delves into the subject of death, offering a compassionate and insightful exploration of end-of-life experiences. Here's what makes this book worth reading:
- It provides a unique perspective on death that challenges common misconceptions, fostering a deeper understanding and acceptance of the inevitable.
- Through personal stories and heartfelt anecdotes, the book humanizes the dying process, inviting readers to reflect on their own mortality with empathy and compassion.
- The author's gentle approach and thoughtful reflections create a safe space for readers to contemplate and discuss a topic that often feels uncomfortable or taboo.
Who should read With the End in Mind?
- Friends and family members of people with terminal illnesses
- Fans of emotionally moving medical stories
- Anyone with a fear of death
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With the End in Mind FAQs
What is the main message of With the End in Mind?
With the End in Mind is a thoughtful exploration of death and dying, emphasizing the importance of compassionate and personalized end-of-life care.
How long does it take to read With the End in Mind?
The reading time for With the End in Mind depends on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is With the End in Mind a good book? Is it worth reading?
With the End in Mind is a compelling book that provides insight and guidance on a topic many find difficult. It offers valuable perspectives and prompts introspection.
Who is the author of With the End in Mind?
Kathryn Mannix is the author of With the End in Mind.
What to read after With the End in Mind?
If you're wondering what to read next after With the End in Mind, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Death’s Summer Coat by Brandy Schillace
- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
- When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön
- Welcoming the Unwelcome by Pema Chödrön
- Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
- The Sublime Object of Ideology by Slavoj Zizek
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
- The Game by Neil Strauss
- 'Til Stress Do Us Part by Elizabeth Earnshaw
- Bittersweet by Susan Cain