Want ad-free episodes, exclusives and access to Q&As? Subscribe to Forever Strong Insider: https://foreverstrong.supercast.comWe have all heard the sayings and clichés, but what is the truth behind being afraid of dying? In this episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with Elena Brower, a best-selling author, meditation teacher, and hospice volunteer, to discuss the profound topics of impermanence, living intentionally, and preparing for the end of life.Drawing from her own experience with the loss of her mother, Elena shares her journey into hospice work and Buddhist chaplaincy, revealing how embracing the reality of death has become her most sacred practice. This conversation is not about morbidity but about using the awareness of death to live a more vibrant, present, and meaningful life.Discover Elena Brower’s powerful new book, Hold Nothing, available now at https://elenabrower.com/holdnothing Chapters:0:00 - Intro1:24 - The Five Remembrances3:16 - Living with Impermanence5:11 - The Two Kinds of Physicians6:14 - Elena's Journey as a Hospice Volunteer9:22 - Why Not Just Wait to be Afraid?10:05 - The Power of Day-by-Day Awareness13:34 - The Practice of Letting Go of Your Personality15:40 - Making the Room Sacred17:06 - Why Our Culture Turns Away from Death23:02 - Do We Need Rituals?26:39 - Talking to Children about Death28:27 - Trauma, Grief, and Meeting Death Differently30:20 - Zen Meditation vs. Other Modalities38:54 - The Power of Friendship45:45 - The Lightning Speed of Letting Go46:33 - Cultivated Things47:07 - Redefining Success48:10 - Emptying Self-Doubt49:30 - The Purpose of Self-Doubt53:16 - Navigating Too Much Information54:23 - Sitting Still and Weight Training56:49 - Intergenerational Healing59:09 - The Grandmother's Passing1:01:36 - How Does Someone Become So Capable?1:07:39 - The Most Powerful Form of Action1:10:38 - Boundary Setting as an Act of Love1:17:45 - The Altar of the Heart1:19:22 - What to Say to Someone Who is Afraid of Dying1:21:18 - A Quick Story1:23:58 - Five Remembrances1:25:01 - Meditation1:31:16 - Closing RemarksThis episode is brought to you by: Puori - Use code DRLYON for 20% off - https://puori.com/DRLYONManukora - Get $25 off your Starter Kit at https://manukora.com/DRLYONBON CHARGE - Use code DRLYON to get 15% off your entire order - https://boncharge.com/DRLYONARMRA - Use code DRLYON to get 15% off your first order - https://tryarmra.com/DRLYONDisclaimer: The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, YouTube, or materials linked from this podcast or YouTube is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professional for any such conditions.

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