Stephen Levine (1) (1937–2016)

I dearly love the concept that propels this book. Stephen Levine and his wife spent decades providing grief counseling to concentration camp survivors, war veterans, hospice patients, and many others. He brings that experience and unique perspective to "A Year to Live", in which he proposes a revolutionary act: to practice living the next year of one's life as if it were your final 365 days.

It's an exercise in gratitude, awareness, facing fear, and deciding what matters most in one's life. show more He guides readers through exercises and opportunities to practice, while taking us on his own journey with his wife through their "Year to Live."

The book can get a bit new-agey, even for a Dharma-lovin', yoga-practicing guy like me. But I can't find too much fault with a man who sat side-by-side with so many transitioning from life to the next stage. The experiences, along with his own Buddhist training, opened him up to a brave spiritual journey, and one that I am compelled to take myself.

This is a quick read, a brief book that invites a deep look at the lives we lead and how we might adapt our approach to treat each day and moment with the preciousness they deserve. show less

I usually like Levine's work so I was disappointed with this rather weak offering. Composed more of exhortations and pronouncements about the qualities and meaning he ascribes to dying (but states as reality) than of activities and practices for a "one year to live" exploration, it lacked the intellectual rigor and logic that the Buddhist texts demonstrate. It was disorganized, and though at times I found it interesting, I primarily found it annoying. I do not believe in the continued show more existence of consciousness or a soul after death, so many of Levine's comments were jarring, especially as he referenced atheism fairly positively. What I take from Levine is that I am incorrect or somehow not ready for death (though Levine's version of getting ready seems to be less about learning to be in the here and now rather than living in fear, and more about being ready for a post-death journey of transformation). It is certainly his prerogative to hold whatever view he holds, but sermonizing about the character of the afterlife is not convincing when supported by neither logic nor evidence. Many Buddhist writers manage this elegantly.

In the audiobook version, Levine pauses ponderously (even when playback is sped up) in a manner that took me out of contemplation rather than into it. show less

Reading this book is an experiment and the question arises,

can I wake up to what's important in my life, so that I'm not taking it for granted? Am I able to see this day, this moment as it is?

Am I able to drop the loyalty to the stories that I've been sticking to,

am I able to forgive myself for the unskillful reactions to things people say and unfortunate events that

have held me captive for so long? 'The healing we took birth for', as

Stephen and Ondrea refer to it. This is the healing I'm show more going for in this

re-reading of, A Year to Live, How to Live This Year as if It Were Your Last. show less

I thought it'll be a flurry of real life stories about how people really awoke and changed their lives. I expected it to be a truly motivational read for many of us stuck in their jobs or relationships that don't fulfill. I wanted practical examples stemming from all those pronouncements and mantras on mindfulness. Alas, I got only soothing incantations. They may be what some people need, but I really counted on something more brimming over with life than another book of compassionate show more deliberations. show less