Summary: Episode Description: Dr. Bauer-Wu probes the qualities and practices that might transform the experience of a life-limiting illness, one's own or that of a loved one. Foremost among these qualities are a fresh, narrative-relinquishing attention (particularly with physical pain), and love -- unscripted, undefended love, which flows from the egoless core of one's being and transcends roles. The indispensable practices for conveying such love are touch, silence, and speaking the formerly unspoken. Dr. Bauer-Wu urges that there is "little to lose, and so much to gain" -- in expanded, unburdened life together -- from having these difficult conversations. Bio : Dr. Susan Bauer-Wu, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a researcher, clinician, educator, and meditation practitioner and teacher whose work focuses on mind-body and integrative medicine, particularly mindfulness and compassion meditation practices in the context of cancer and other serious illnesses, for both patients and caregivers. Susan is the Kluge Professor of Contemplative End-of-Life Care at the University of Virginia School of Nursing (effective January 2013) and immediate past-president of the Society for Integrative Oncology. She has received numerous professional accolades and significant research funding for her work in this area. She teaches in the Upaya Being with Dying program and at resiliency retreats and training programs in the U.S. and abroad. Susan has authored dozens of scholarly articles and book chapters as well as a book for the lay public, entitled Leaves Falling Gently: Living Fully with Serious and Life-Limiting Illness through Mindfulness, Compassion, and Connectedness (New Harbinger, 2011).
