Here's a review of the book by a psychiatrist who mostly works with people in
chronic pain:
This book is spectacular!
The author Toni Bernhard developed a post-viral illness in 2001, later diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Although she was a serious student of Buddhist meditation already, this experience challenged her body, mind and spirit to its core.
What she shares in How to Be Sick is how Buddhist-inspired practices have helped her cope with her illness and its consequences, as well as continue on her spiritual journey.
This is a book for people who will not be their old self again and for all those for whom, at least now, getting better isn’t possible. This is a book that most reassuringly says even to those people, ”You, too, are going to be okay – even if you never recover your health!”
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The author reviews core beliefs in Buddhism as they pertain to her illness. This is not a longwinded explanation of the religion, but rather a simple and helpful presentation of how Buddhism considers illness.
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I found this to be a beautiful book, full of wisdom. Toni opened her heart to show her own struggle and share what saved her. This book presents not just an approach to illness but a “life approach,” a philosophy of greeting life. It is a book – and way of life – well worth exploring.
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