Product Description

Written from the viewpoint of a grieving person, As Much Time as it Takes helps us sensitively navigate those awkward yet important moments of comforting those mourning the loss of a loved one. This unique book comforts the bereaved by articulating the overwhelming wave of emotions and supports the "support team" by helping them to avoid the clichés and find the right words at the right time. A graduate of Stanford, Martin Keogh is the former director of the Empty Gate Zen Center in Berkeley, California. Keogh is the founder of The Dancing Ground, an organization that produces conferences on such topics as gender, race, and death & dying. He has produced and taught with revered and best-selling authors such as Joseph Campbell, Robert Bly, and Coleman Barks, among many others.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1003398 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

Review
Offers a wide-ranging approach to loss. Short sentences with large print; easy for grieving eyes to see. -- The Midwest Book Review, January 2006

Spiritual balm that does justice to life's reluctant survivors. Written in poetic language, includes cliches and activities to avoid. -- ForeWord, September/October 2005

Customer Reviews

Destined to become a Classic in the field!
Martin Keogh has granted the wish of so many well-intentioned and good hearted people who have felt for their friends suffering a loss and wished they knew what they could say or do for them, but just did not know how they could help or show their care. Martin Keogh has filled the missing niche in books on grief with his treasure of wisdom. I wish this book was around when I lost my husband and young daughter. I know others who have suffered a loss shared my experience of being additionally injured by the words and acts of well intentioned friends when I was most vulnerable in my grieving. Now, I give this kind and wise and beautiful book to everyone I know who is going through grief or has someone close to them doing so. It is a treasure chest of gifts, easy to receive. Do not be concerned that it appears deceptively simple, (all the most essential things are!), for it is written in a style easiest to take in when you need it the most. This is a remarkable contribution to the field and sure to become a classic!

Timeless Voice: Keogh's "As Much Time As It Takes"
I first came across this timeless writing after September 11, 2001. I immediately sent ten copies of the pre-published version "As Much Time As It Takes" to the families of my deceased co-workers and friends who died in the World Trade Center. This book is profound: it gives voice to the wisdom of preceding generations that have experienced loss. The teaching of this book is that the torrents of emotion the bereaved might feel are natural and to be expected.

Finally...a book for those of us on the outer circle of grief
This book was written for the rest of us: those who aren't grieving, and feel completely at a loss to help those who are!

In the past, I was the one who tried to make it better, when I couldn't possibly make it better. I couldn't understand why they just couldn't "get over it" sooner, and get back to their lives. So I wound up feeling frustrated and distant from my grieving friend. Exactly the opposite of my intention.

This little book is what I've been missing: a tool that gives me real, practical ideas that I can use. The writing is clear, simple, and almost poetic. There's a lushness to Keogh's pages, and his ideas come out so tenderly, and so lovingly.

Keogh takes us inside the heart, mind, and body of someone in grief. Once there, he shows us how to be truly helpful, thoughtful, and a loving presence--in other words, how to be a true friend.

This book taught me what no one or no experience has ever taught me. It is a treasure that needs to be on everyone's bookshelf--required reading for the human experience!