The Five Invitations, by Frank Ostaseski

Please join us as we launch our online book club discussion of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully, by Frank Ostaseski. Now, you might be thinking: "Hmmm. . . death. This sounds like a downer." Yet reviewers consistently say this highly-rated book is profoundly beautiful and uplifting. So please keep reading. :)

Assigned reading for this week: Introduction and The First Invitation (Chapters 1 - 4). Please Note: Completion of the assigned reading is a prerequisite for attending. If you did not have the chance to do the reading, please join us another time.

What's this book about?
The Five Invitations is a request to show up and be fully present for every aspect of your life. It sheds light on the preciousness of every moment and reminds us that the best preparation for death is forging an authentic and meaningful life, free of regret. Author Frank Ostaseski has sat on the precipice of death with more than a thousand people. In this book, he distills what he has learned through his many years of being present during those vulnerable moments: what actually matters most. Awareness of death can be a valuable companion on the road to living well, forging a rich and meaningful life, and letting go of regret. It can also help in coping with loss or navigating transition or crisis. The Five Invitations is a powerful and inspiring exploration of the essential wisdom dying can impart to us all.

About the author
Frank Ostaseski a pioneer in end-of-life care. In 1987, he cofounded the Zen Hospice Project, the first Buddhist hospice in America, and later created the Metta Institute to train professionals in compassionate, mindfulness-based care. He has lectured at Harvard Medical School, the Mayo Clinic, Wisdom.2.0, Apple, Google, and numerous other institutions and organizations. Ostaseski, an internationally-respected Buddhist teacher, teaches at major spiritual centers around the globe. His work was featured on the Bill Moyers PBS series On Our Own Terms, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and in numerous print publications. In 2001, Ostaseski was honored by the Dalai Lama for his compassionate service to the dying and their families. He was named one of America's Fifty Most Innovative People by AARP The Magazine and is the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Humanities Award from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

How this book club works.
Our book discussion will be spread out over several consecutive weeks, with two-hour meetings every Tuesday evening. This gives us time to explore the readings with the depth and care they deserve. Please bring your own thought-provoking questions and insights from the reading to share with the group. We like lively discussions that challenge our own ideas and those of the author and allow us to learn from each other -- while enjoying camaraderie! All we ask is that everyone be treated as co-equals, both in respect and approximate speaking time. Feel free to post (in the Comments below) any additional resources you find -- including ones that challenge the author. We hope to see you at our Tuesday meetings!