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How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers [Paperback]

Toni Bernhard , Sylvia Boorstein
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)

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Book Description

September 14, 2010
This life-affirming, instructive and thoroughly inspiring book is a must-read for anyone who is—or who might one day be—sick. And it can also be the perfect gift of guidance, encouragement, and uplifting inspiration to family, friends, and loved ones struggling with the many terrifying or disheartening life changes that come so close on the heels of a diagnosis of a chronic condition or even life-threatening illness.

The author—who became ill while a university law professor in the prime of her career—tells the reader how she got sick and, to her and her partner’s bewilderment, stayed that way. Toni had been a longtime meditator, going on long meditation retreats and spending many hours rigorously practicing, but soon discovered that she simply could no longer engage in those difficult and taxing forms. She had to learn ways to make “being sick” the heart of her spiritual practice—and through truly learning how to be sick, she learned how, even with many physical and energetic limitations, to live a life of equanimity, compassion, and joy. And whether we ourselves are sick now or not, we can learn these vital arts of living well from How to Be Sick.

Frequently Bought Together

How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers + Just Fine: Unmasking Concealed Chronic Illness and Pain + Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired: Living with Invisible Chronic Illness (New Edition)
Price for all three: $41.35

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Full of hopefulness and promise…this book is a perfect blend of inspiration and encouragement. Toni's engaging teaching style shares traditional Buddhist wisdom in a format that is accessible to all readers.”—The Huffington Post

"Toni Bernhard's book, How To Be Sick--A Buddhist's Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers, is an invitation to gently set aside the fear and the fight in order to truly live. It is based on principles of Buddhism, which she carefully applies to her own chronic and at times debilitating illness. She offers a different perspective on illness and wellness, suggesting the two need not be mutually exclusive."—Psychology Today

"A immensely wise book. Health psychology has been poisoned by the view that the best way to approach illness is through a muscular, militant resistance. This books shows otherwise. Bernhard reveals how letting go, surrendering, and putting the ego aside yield insights and fulfillment even in the presence of illness. This is a major contribution."—Larry Dossey, MD, author of Healing Words

"How does one face a chronic illness? In 2001 law professor Bernhard became sick from a virus that no doctor has been able to treat. Faced with ongoing disabling symptoms, forced to give up her profession, and unable to take part in most of the activities she loves, Bernhard has dug into the roots of the Buddhism she once studied intensively, looking for resources to cope with such devastating loss. She clearly explains how such Buddhist principles as the four noble truths, impermanence, no-self, and dependent origination help her cope with limited energy and frequent enforced solitude. No longer able to meditate formally, Bernhard describes a set of easy mental practices, drawn from her own daily experiences as well as vipassana (insight meditation), Zen koans, Tibetan Buddhist compassion exercises, and the “inquiry” technique of author Byron Katie, a practice for working with thoughts. Bernhard’s applications of Buddhism are sound and her insights gentle and honest; others may take heart from her determination to use the Buddha’s timeless wisdom to ease the mental suffering brought about by unrelieved physical illness."—Publishers Weekly

“You don’t have to be sick to benefit from the advice in this book. This is a book on how to live fully.” —Joy Selak, author of You Don’t LOOK Sick!

“A must-read—and a solid dose of hope.” —Lori Hartwell, author of Chronically Happy

“An inspiring work” —Joseph Goldstein, author of A Heart Full of Peace

“Beautiful, heartfelt, and immensely courageous. Truly worth reading.” —Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness

“Everyone should read this book—and I plan to buy a copy for everyone I love.” —Lizabeth Roemer, co-author of The Mindful Way Through Anxiety

"Don’t pass up this book – it is a gift to all of us who are unwell and for those who love us." —Alida Brill, Author of Dancing at The River’s Edge: A Patient and Her Doctor Negotiate Life with Chronic Illness

"An inspiring and instructive guide for coping with a chronic condition or life-threatening illness but it is much more than that. Each chapter is about unpacking the highest truth in the lowest places of our lives. The book is entitled How To Be Sick but I found that it's really about how to live." —Jim Palmer, Author of Divine Nobodies, and Wide Open Spaces

"This is an intimate, gripping, profound, and eminently useful book about being joyfully and wisely alive no matter what happens to you - including serious illness." —Rick Hanson, Ph.D., author of Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom

"I highly recommend her book as a must-read for anyone who is ill or caring for someone ill. Her gifts will transform you." —Lewis Richmond, author of Healing Lazarus: A Buddhist’s Journey from Near Death to New Life

"What a beautiful book!...This is a book in which to find honesty, compassion, and a means to reduce suffering for the ill person and caregiver alike." —Lynn Royster, Director of the Chronic Illness Initiative at DePaul University

"How to Be Sick brilliantly answers one of the most important challenges anyone can face: How to transform suffering into a vehicle for great consciousness and compassion. Toni Bernhard has written an important book that is practical, wise and full of heart. I recommend it to anyone working with chronic pain and illness." —James Baraz, co-author of Awakening Joy: 10 Steps That Will Put You on the Road to Real Happiness

“Each of finds our way to live with the challenges and uncertainty of illness. Toni Bernhard found a path that lead to balance, wisdom and love. She caringly points us to the possibility of finding happiness even in the midst difficult conditions. That is a true gift.” —Frank Ostaseski, Founder Metta Institute

"A warm and compassionate guide for navigating illness on a personal and practical level." —Alex Lickerman, blogger of Happiness In This World

“A profound, compassionate, and intimate guide for living wisely.” —Gil Fronsdal, author of The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic

“This encouraging book is full of compassion about how to sit sweetly with your difficulties.”—John Tarrant, author of Bring Me The Rhinoceros and Other Zen Koans That Will Save Your Life

"This book could easily be called “How to Be Well.” Toni Bernhard’s hard-won wisdom dealing with chronic illness teaches us how to be kind to ourselves, to counter negative thoughts about our life and our health, and to live fully in the present—neither regretting the past nor fearing the future. Who among us couldn’t use these life-affirming skills? Bravo!" —Susan Milstrey Wells, author of A Delicate Balance: Living Successfully with Chronic Illness

"People who yearn to live with purpose rather than simply succumb to the pain and uncertainty of chronic illness will find a shining example in Toni Bernhard's life and words. Readers need not be Buddhist or even practiced meditators to benefit from the nuggets of wisdom she offers to sustain mind and spirit when matter seems especially vicious." —Cheri Register, author of Living with Chronic Illness: Days of Patience and Passion and The Chronic Illness Experience: Embracing the Imperfect Life

"A compassionate and insightful road map to finding grace and balance amidst affliction that will be of great benefit to the many people and their loved ones who find themselves being asked to meet affliction that is painful to bear."—Christina Feldman, author of Compassion: Listening to the Cries of the World

"Bernhard comes across like a thoughtful and sympathetic friend." —Persephone Magazine

"If you want to better understand how to deal with a chronic illness, or you are the caregiver for someone who is chronically ill, read How to be Sick." —The Caregiver's Voice

"When you read her book, you cannot help but come away with a new perspective and awareness of life’s beauty to enjoy despite chronic bodily pain. The choice of inner peace and compassion is available to all of us. I found a lot to embrace in this lovely work of art." —Chronicle: The Journal of the American Chronic Pain Association

About the Author

Toni Bernhard received a J.D. from the University of California, Davis where she taught law for 22 years until forced to retire due to the illness she writes about in How to Be Sick. From 1992-1998, she served as the law school's Dean of Students. At the time she became ill, she had a longstanding Buddhist practice and co-led a weekly meditation group with her husband Tony. They live in Davis, CA with their hound dog, Rusty.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 216 pages
  • Publisher: Wisdom Publications (September 14, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0861716264
  • ISBN-13: 978-0861716265
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Toni Bernhard has been a practicing Buddhist for over 20 years. Until forced to retire due to illness, she was a law professor at the University of California--Davis, serving six years as the law school's dean of students. She is the author of the award-winning "How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers," and "How to Wake Up: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for Navigating Joy and Sorrow," which is currently available for pre-order. Both "How to Be Sick" and "How to Wake Up" are practical books. They are intended to help all of us learn how to find a peace and well-being that aren't dependent on our particular circumstances. To this end, both books include dozens of exercises and practices, all of which are illustrated with easy-to-relate-to personal stories. Toni lives in Davis, California with her husband, also named Tony, and their hound dog, Rusty. She can be found online at www.tonibernhard.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
113 of 114 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Toni showed me how to face and be with my cancer August 26, 2010
Format:Paperback
I want to tell you about this wonderful book that Toni has written. I am lucky to be one of the few non-professional people to have had the privilege of reading How to be Sick.
First, a little background about myself. I have stage four advanced breast cancer stemming from the genetic mutation BRCA2. I nursed my Mother when she died, have been there while my sister and nieces have undergone and are still undergoing treatment and, of course, my own. I am now on a trial drug to try and stop my cancer spreading plus monthly treatments. All this means I have many days of lying on a bed being very unwell and am also facing a very uncertain future.

Toni's book came to me through a link from a friend and it has been a god send. In the past I have both bought and been given a number of books on how to deal and be with my BC. Most are along the lines of me needing to think my cancer away, to completely change my diet, to think possitively and so on - you know what I mean. There is none of that in Toni's book. It is simply the most practical and inspiring book I have read. Toni draws from not only wonderful Buddhist practices, but from movies, songs, people, wrtings, poetry, and her own experiences. She showed me how to face and be with my cancer, to feel the uncertainty, the fear, to be a woman lying on a bed so unwell, worrying...
I have been around Buddhists for around 20 years (I am not a Buddhist myself) and the way Toni explains the concepts and practices of Buddhism is the best I have heard. Wow, Toni, I get it... or should I say - I'm getting it.

I do not write this lightly, How to be Sick resonated with my very core. As I face all that is cancer, not only now but the future, I am so very very grateful to have Toni's book right there beside me. Thank you.
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71 of 71 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Spirituality and chronic illness August 26, 2010
Format:Paperback
This book is not about how to get sick or how to stay sick. It's about how to "be" when you are sick. How to have a worthwhile existence, finding meaning, purpose and joy, even when chronic illness seems to have stolen your life away.

It's a tall order. And one that many chronically ill people (and their caregivers) may feel too overwhelmed even to contemplate. Yet, Bernhard found that certain ways of being helped her through the dark tunnel. In effect, dealing with chronic illness became her spiritual practice, and she has valuable insights to offer others in the same condition.
Was this review helpful to you?
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Better than flowers.. August 26, 2010
By Joel
Format:Paperback
This is a must read for anyone struggling with chronic disease. I hope that potential readers will not be turned off thinking that they "have to be Buddhist" to understand and benefit from it. Toni's book demonstrates how making the slightest attitude adjustments can significantly reduce pain and suffering for both the afflicted and the loved ones and caregivers in their lives. The solutions she presents are valuable. The situations she describes from her own experience are poignant but universally shared. Better than flowers, this book might be the most valuable gift you could ever give a friend or family member who is dealing with serious illness and its aftermath.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Focuses on the Mental Aspects of Living with a Chronic Illness
When I first read through this book, I felt a bit overwhelmed with the foreign sound names of Buddhist concepts and exercises. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Kim Overstreet
5.0 out of 5 stars This Book is For Everyone!
Toni has achieved amazing peace despite an illness that has left her with next to no energy. She does not have the ability to care for herself or her grandchildren and will likely... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Robin C. Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars A source of strength.
I read this book shortly after being diagnosed with gastroparesis. The teaching in Toni`s book are going to prove to be a lifelong source for coping with this illness as well as... Read more
Published 21 days ago by Robert and Steven Lucas-Brogdon
5.0 out of 5 stars Positivity without Pollyanna: a helpful book that I return to when...
This book is a practical and honest account of the author's personal application of Buddhist principles to help her get by day to day, as she lives with severe cfs/me. Read more
Published 27 days ago by A. Watson-Will
5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for the chronically ill
I found this book at a time where I was finally ready to find ways to make peace with a life lived with a chronic illness (MS). Read more
Published 27 days ago by K. Conley
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Whether You Are Sick or Not
This book is extremely helpful, accessible, and easy to read. It offers solace both for the chronically ill and their families, and more generally, for anyone dealing with... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Doktor1
5.0 out of 5 stars Transformative
Toni Bernhard is an extraordinary teacher and writer, and her book will transform lives. Compassionate, courageous, and wise, she shows how those afflicted with debilitating... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Evi Bassoff
5.0 out of 5 stars great book
I've had chronic medical issues for many years but I'm just now learning how to be sick. The exhaustion of trying to fake having a somewhat normal life has taken its toll and it's... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sarah W
5.0 out of 5 stars A real blessing!
I have CFIDS/ME & this is by far the most helpful book I've encountered. It has no prducts or cures or panaceas to sell: just practical & realistic coping mechanisms.
Published 1 month ago by CFIDS/ME patient, Missoula MT
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic. Useful concepts for ill and well people alike
A perfect mix of practical ideas interspersed with narrative of Toni's experiences of living with a chronic illness. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Claire Huntley
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