Customer Reviews

Chalice of Repose: A Contemplative Musician's Approach to Death and Dying [VHS]

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Therese Schroeder-Sheker is a gifted harpist, singer and composer. Her Chalice of Repose project located in Montana is so important for the dying and should be something available all over America. Anyone who works in Hospice care or who understands the the healing power of music should get this video. The scenes of Montana were just gorgeous. And when Ms. Sheker sings, you can tell how much she loves music and believes in it as a form of spirituality. I have been in contact with the Chalice of Repose staff, alot of nice people who work there. If you enjoy the music of Enya or Loreena Mckennitt then I recommend Therese Schroeder-Sheker's music on CD. I have most of her music and it is soothing and peacefull. I hope she may release more music in the future.

The Chalice of Repose is such a beautiful documentary. On the musician's contemplative practice of music thanantology, which is playing prescriptive music for the dying. Therese's voice is angelic, and the harp music is so serene. I hope when it is my time to pass, that there will be something like this for me. I've seen this video about 10 times, and it amazes me everytime. If you enjoy beautiful vocal and harp music, or have an interest in the medical field, and care about dying patients, this video is a definate must see!!!

Everyone should see this video. It will change how you live. This glorious artist/scholar/healer--the paradigm of aesthetic compassion--gives us hope that we, too, may have a blessed death--like those she's been present for. We need this hope, as dying in the age of technology has become devoid of compassion, dignity, and humanity. Professor Schroeder-Sheker shows us how we might hang onto this hope and make it a living reality.

As a hospice nurse for 15 years, I found Ms. Schroeder-Sheker insightful and "right on" target with her observations of the goals of a "good death". Focusing on a safe sanctuary for the patient and their loved ones including the peaceful atmosphere created by music allows the patient and their loved ones to speak those important words of reconciliation, love, and ultimate joy that the joining of their lives has brought. This video could be used as a background piece to any long term care facility or residence or as a learning medium for caregivers who want to create that "safe sanctuary".