J. Worth Kilcrease

Since ancient times, we have been reminded that our existence on this earth is limited. From Socrates to the Dalai Lama, we are admonished to practice dying, prepare for death.  All of the major religions teach that this life as we know it is not permanent and that we should prepare for what comes afterwards.  In the Hindu tradition, the belief is that a person's death reflects one's life.  A well-known example is Mahatma Gandhi.  After being shot in the chest three times and before he died, he repeatedly stated the name of Ram, the Hindu deity representing compassion, courage, and devotion to religious values and duty.  As he died, Gandhi reflected the same compassion, courage, and devotion he had practiced during his life.  He had prepared for his death.  Similarly, recent movies such as The Bucket List starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, songs such as Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw, and books such as the writings of Stephen Levine are giving us the same message in modern cultural contexts.  By the way, here is a beautiful coupling of the song with scenes from the movie. 

Inspired by those whose lives have been touched with the reality of death — those whom I have been with while they face the end of their own life's journey and those whose lives changed because of the death of a loved one — and by those who wish they had a structured means to explore their own preparations, I am now conducting a year-long class called A Final Year.  The class, adapted from Stephen Levine's book A Year to Live, is an opportunity for the participants to prepare for death by assuming they have only one year left to live.  They have a chance to examine their life and their world, and to enter into a new relationship with life; a relationship that is richer, fuller, and more wondrous.

What are the Specifics?

The class is held at my office on Spicewood Springs Road.  It begins in February and meets from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month, except during the summer, for one year.  During June July, and August, the schedule is once per month.  The class is limited to 10 dedicated participants and involves classroom meetings, homework, guest speakers, and field trips.  The cost is $2,000 per person, including all basic materials.  For more information, please call me at (512) 658-2674.