The National Expertise Centre for Dying is a non-profit organisation. The 4 women behind the foundation, Ineke Koedam, Els den Outer, Lyda Westenbrink and Ineke van der Ouderaa, regard it as their mission to create a contribution to the quality of living for every person who is dying by giving insight in the process of dying as well as enhancing the knowledge and wisdom in relation to the end-of-life experience.

Website quote:

We envision a community in which dying is an accepted part of life. For those able to release their resistance towards dying and to fully embrace life including its highs and lows as well as its disappointments and successes, life will happier, less fearful, hold less reluctance and offer a more conscious openness. We encourage and support a culture of dying, based on insight and confidence.

At the initiative of Energy Medicine Nederland  the following interview with Ineke Koedam, co-founder of the National Expertise Centre for Dying and author of the book, ‘In the light of Dying’, explores the growing awareness in the process of dying as well as its layered structure.

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Questions 1 & 2: The source of inspiration of the National Expertise Centre and its approach towards the process of dying.

Question 1. Which source of inspiration does the National Expertise Centre for Dying work from?

Ineke Koedam: I have been involved for many years in the process of dying and all it involves, as hospice staff member and while researching end of life experiences. As a result, I observed a significant increase in using medication surrounding the process of dying as well as an increased use of palliative sedation.

Also, two years ago, during the first hospice care congress, I noticed how most attention was given to the physical aspect of dying. ‘What to do when people feel oppressed’; ‘How to properly lift people’; all more to do with practical nursing care. Feeling it should be commonly known so much more is involved in the process of dying, I felt I had to add other elements. To focus mainly on the physical side, seemed like taking a step back after the pioneering work of people such as Elisabeth Kübler Ross.*

(*Swiss-American psychiatrist, who has been of great significance to the growing cultural awareness in regard of dying and grieving.)

Question 2 : What do you think caused this increase use of medication and focus on the physical side of dying?

Ineke Koedam: This has a lot to do with the society we live in. While it is suggested doctors are insufficiently trained to support the communication surrounding the end-of-life phase, – which in turn is causing the continuation of treatment-,it is also often due to the requests of the person dying or the family. At such a moment, this seems easier than coming to terms with closure.

Questions 3 & 4:  Becoming conscious of the process of dying and its physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects.

Question 3. What exactly do you mean, when you say ‘it should be commonly known so much more is involved in the process of dying (re: answer to question 1).What is it we should know or are not aware of?

Ineke Koedam: That is precisely what justifies the existence of the The National Expertise Centre for Dying; to promote awareness in that field. A lot of knowledge and wisdom is available within the hospice world in regard to dying and how to support the process. Outside of this world, people do not really think about it until the moment is there, which is perfectly understandable.

Hence it is not so much our goal to encourage people to talk or think about it beforehand. What we do want and have learned from experience is how important it is to answer to the need to define the process; wanting to understand it once people are confronted with mortality. ‘What is happening? How do I cope with this?
At such a moment, we find it important for people to know the national centre exist and harbours the knowledge and wisdom; not just our own, but also that of others for whom we want to serve as a platform, as reflected on our website, in the section: ‘Ter Inspiratie’ (Inspiration)

Question 4: Is the moment in which one gets confronted with mortality – either one’s own or that of someone close – also the moment where one is naturally inclined to want to know more about the process of dying and explore that path of expertise?

Ineke Koedam: Yes and No. To some people it is; they already go about it consciously, but a large group abdicates from it; which is also a way of coping. What is true, is that the person closely involved, can experience profound insights, which does not require significantly spiritually evolved understanding. It can happen to the most rationally thinking people.
What we want to make known, is that dying is a layered process. Something happens on 4 different levels:

• 1) Physical,
• 2) Emotional,
• 3) Mental,
• 4) Spiritual;

All of these are layers that turn us into the human beings we are. Something takes place in all 4 categories; all of them just as important. People supporting the end-of-life experience can refine themselves in serving as an instrument. On a physical level it is quite clear what is happening. To see the emotional and mental side of it is already harder to do; and to envision the spiritual experience, one will have to refine one’s senses in order to accommodate that.

When approaching their passing, people can have experiences that are not easily established in our day-to-day awareness. It is this aspect we can evolve in. As a The National Expertise Centre for Dying, we find this development of importance, while we see a change of needs as well as a change in how people experience the end-of-life process, the closer they come to the moment of passing.

Questions 5 & 6: The future of end-of-life care and the viewpoint of society

Question 5:  Do you envision a future in which it will be a naturally gifted commodity within the evolution of humanity, to be susceptible to both the physical and spiritual side of dying? 

Ineke Koedam: Yes I do believe so. I think a lot is changing this very moment and that all that is going on is a reflection of an enormous shift taking place. This is also what causes polarisation; people developing at the one hand; yet it being opposed at the other.

Question 6: Is the National Expertise Centre for Dying advocate of a certain ideology or does your know-how have more of a supportive character?

Ineke Koedam: We are no missionaries, we have a supportive role. Initially we will attract people who can already identify with our expertise on the subject, but I think it would take very little for a bigger audience to start and think differently as well.
Having said that; in matters like this everyone has to walk his or her own path. All we can do is issue the invitation, to which people can either respond or not.

Questions 7 & 8: The political and public discussion on the legislation and growing awareness surrounding the end-of-life experience.

Question 7: Do you think the present political discussion and legislation surrounding the process of dying, is supportive of growing awareness or are these two completely different matters? Politics seem at times to be so far removed from what is actually going on.

Ineke Koedam: Yes, that is true. At the same time however, I believe developments like this carry a purpose. Because of the proposed legislation, people start to think and wake up. It encourages people to think about it on a different level. Some events that might appear to be a set-back, can turn out to be another step on the road ahead

Question 8: What does the National Expertise Centre for Dying actively do to support a growing awareness of the end-of-life experience?

Ineke Koedam: We have declared May 24^th, the day we first presented ourselves to the outside world in 2016, to be National Awareness Day for Dying . (Nationale Dag Aandacht Voor Sterven.) This year we will organise a symposium for care-proffessionals , volunteers and other interested parties. For people who do not attend a symposium like this, we are presently working on a one-act theatre play, written by a theatre maker and actor who portrays in 30 minutes all that happens when facing his end-of-life.   The play is based on the stratification of the process of dying; the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects **. (** answer question 4)
After the performance we offer a platform for questions and exchange.

Questions 9,10 & 11:  End-of-life support and expertise

Question 9: To be confronted with mortality and end-of-life experiences is usually something that befalls someone rather than something someone goes looking for. Can you name some characteristics that mark a proper approach once the times comes?

Ineke Koedam: We recognize 3 major values or competencies or talents; also mentioned on our website, from which we work and find of importance in the end-of-life approach.

1. First of all this concerns Realism. The ability to see reality as it is, renders a natural state of being and enables you to be in the ‘here and now’, which is necessary to see what is really needed in the moment
2. At the same time, realism requires Gentleness; towards the person dying, but also towards oneself. It demands realism with an open heart.
3. The third aspect is Stewardship, not in the sense of submissiveness, but with regard to the use of core- talents; one’s own unique gifts, such as offering space, peacefulness, compassion, harmony, to be donated with an open heart and gentleness. Which core-talents are chosen depends entirely on who you are.

Question 10: What is it you do personally when supporting someone who is dying and you observe that person is not ready to embrace all that the process involves? 

Ineke Koedam: I remain neutral. When people are ready they will accept it in their own way. In relation to this I would like to emphasize the National Expertise Centre is not rooted in any specific religious tradition.

We place the process of dying in the perspective of the elements, Earth, Water, Fire, Air and the element of Ether. They all compound to what makes us human and play an important part in our lives. During the process of dying, these elements leave the body, one by one. The workings of this process are very helpful to give insight in the end-of-life experiences and that is what people need at such a moment. The elements exceed religious tradition and can be found in many world views.

Question 11: What do you think the general consensus within society in regard to end-of-life experiences will look like in future?

Ineke Koedam: People who come to us now and want to participate in the training programs we offer are often nurses or already otherwise working in a hospice. However also people who really feel drawn to us and know this is where they need to be come to us, answering to a calling on an inner level of where they want to be.

My colleague and co-teacher Els den Outer en I, are known to have said that the people supporting the end-of-life experience are to be the priests and priestesses of the future. It used to be we were bound to religion and religious traditions. This is no longer a given fact. Those supporting the process of dying find themselves in the twilight zone in many different ways as well as the different layers of the process of dying.

It has after all, to do with so much more than the physical aspect only.

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More information in Dutch can be found on:

the website of the National Expertise Centre for Dying.

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The book ‘In the light of death. Experiences on the threshold between life and death’
by Ineke Koedam is available in Dutch and English.

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The post Interview with Ineke Koedam of the National Expertise Centre for the Dying appeared first on EN Energycounseling.nl.

Our western world belief system has a reputation of seeing the process of dying as a process of disrepair, rather than of transformation.

The associated healthcare generally aims at prolonging a patient’s life as long as possible or sedating the process, rather than supporting the natural transformation.

This, while the ingenious human body, with a mind of its own, has a plan ready to implement in any situation.
Throughout life, the in-born energy support systems that reside in the body, constantly adapt to the changing circumstances they find  themselves in.

Every phase in life, from infancy, through childhood, puberty, adolescense, middle and old age, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, comes and goes with different needs, feelings and solutions.
The body-plan or blueprint, uses several energy systems, who interact with each other, as much as with the organs and functions they serve.

Nobody knows the body better than the body itself.
By learning how to recognize, distinguish and direct the abilities every body has at its disposal to adapt and optimally respond to every kind of circumstance; people from all walks of life, ranging from healthcare professionals to anyone interested in or the end-of-life-healthcare, can extend the appropriate care or apply the necessary self-care.

In the series of blogs: “The Vital Energies of Dying” we interview knowledgable people from the field on the experiences attached to the process of dying.

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Interview with Dr. Sara Allen PhD and her thoughts on  ‘Energy Medicine for the Dying” 

Quotes from the Dr. Sara Allen;

The dying client’s energy system is as dynamic, spirited,vigorous and as full of energy and movements as the energy system of the vital client.

Energy work is as necessary to the dying as it is to the those seeking vitality.

There are patterns and progressions in the death process that can be recognized and followed and understood.

 

Dying is not a mystery. Some believe, including me, that death holds mystery.
But dying is not death – very important distinction – Dying is a segment of living. Because it is LIFE, there are still very powerful energy patterns and sequences and evolutions ruling the body’s subtle energies. Just as in every other rung of life, there are teachable techniques to respond to those ruling energy patterns and sequences and evolutions.

 

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Interview with Ineke Koedam, co-founder of the Landelijk Expertisecentrum Sterven; (National Expertise centre for the dying) and author of the book:  In the light of death, experiences on the threshold between life and death.

All blogs have a version in Dutch and a version in English

To receive these blogs directly into in your mail box, send a message through the contact form of Energy Medicine Nederland. 

The post A Time and Place for Everything appeared first on EN Energycounseling.nl.

US born, Sara Allen, PhD, is a doctorate level holistic health practitioner. She has studied extensively food as medicine, as well as supplemental & herbal medicine. Her specialty is a particular self-brand of energy medicine – best described as a combination of ancient Chinese and East Indian modalities that are systemized via Energy Kinesiology. She is deeply skilled in Eden Energy Medicine, Pranic healing, Touch for Health, EFT, Advanced Psych-K, Animal Energy Medicine and she just cannot stop talking about the fascinating world of German New Medicine

In this interview we talk about applying energy medicine in the process of dying.

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How much prior knowledge does one need to have about energy medicine, in order to understand the many layers that are involved in the application of it ?

Sara Allen: My manual on how to balance and align the energies for the dying is the only piece of intellectual property I endlessly give away to family members or anyone else involved in the process.
The feedback I get from people is simply that they are so grateful, because when you’re sitting at that deathwatch and think there is nothing you can do, there is this helpless feeling;
while knowing simple techniques, like putting a finger at the elbow or finger at the ear, can make someone feel better or diminish the pain.

Most people can’t see Chi or can’t see colors. Yet, they can imagine putting the color purple on someone, one of the techniques we will be showing; and help people feel better and observe their response. It is really powerful.
From the 8 to 10 years that I have been doing this, I’ve experienced that novices really feel good about being able to contribute to their loved ones’ passing in a positive way. Energy Medicine gives them tools to work with and takes away that feeling of helplessness.

How about terminology such as ‘source point’ is; or how to strengthen or sedate a meridian; or even what a meridian is for that matter?

Sara Allen: I teach 2-day workshops at schools for hospice nurses in the US. They do not have energy medicine or acupressure or yoga backgrounds, but they are able to translate it.
Let’s take the source points as an example. There are very good diagrams on which you can locate these. They offer probably some of the most profound methods to help the dying and its just very simple for people to sit there for 5 minutes and hold those points, without the knowledge that they are using one of the most ancient pieces of our entire physiology and energy anatomy.
The novice can sit next to the advanced practitioner and both of them will go away with whatever they need to know. When I do teach this course to advanced practitioners, my language is not much different.

The attitude in our society towards the process of dying often evolves around extending life as long as possible, even against the odds, medicating it to the very end or heavily sedate the process.
Is it correct to say that you speak of it as supporting a transition?

Sara Allen: It is not so much a transition. Dying is not a disease. It is a reunion with your perfection. If we are conscious on that deathbed, it is an extraordinary experience that can give a feeling of fulfillment.  When you experience the separation of the Yin and the Yang; which is what the process of dying is; when the weight of the world, which is the Yang, begins to lift and the worries and duties of the Yin begin to go back to the earth; one shrinks and the other expands. Your soul begins to expand and you see things as in an eagle’s flight; you see the bigger picture.  Not only do you get to live through that experience as you are meant to, everyone around you gets to witness it as well. The wisdom that gets imparted by those who are sitting by your bedside as you go, is indescribable. You are talking with all of the collective unconscious at that point.

In your experience can energy medicine replace the use of for instance morphine?

Sara Allen: It is actually part of my mission to talk about this to doctors and nurses involved, for in many hospice facilities in the US and perhaps in Europe as well, the situation is that when a patient for instance refuses chemo therapy, the insurance company drops the care.
The only thing I can say is that we do not use any medication. Energy medicine does not push the body in any specific direction; it allows it to be in its own rhythm. Dying has its own rhythm. When you align with that- keeping in mind that pain, discomfort and disease is a misalignment with the laws of Chi and keeping in mind that medication can cause misalignment,- you will find that the energies will start to move better.  And by that I mean that even while your physical vitality starts to diminish, your spiritual vitality starts to expand.

What I would like to add to this is that it is very difficult to talk about the process of dying without involving the spiritual component. The way I see this spiritual component however, is from a scientific viewpoint.
It is my personal belief that the modern day physicists will be the next shamans. Spirit is a physical vibration that can be tracked. It can be enhanced and infused. The political changes in China took a lot of spirit out of ancient Chinese medicine, on which a lot of Energy Medicine is based.
Modern day practitioners in Chinese medicine use different approaches. In some ways a lot of the essence of it has disappeared, so you really have to go back to the ancient methods. There are acupressure points that treat Spirit, already known for thousands of years. The difference today is that presence of Spirit in our world has become a quantum physicist discussion.
In all the years I have done this work; there has not been one single session, where I did not use Spirit points. Disease is a separation from your Spirit, for the Spirit does not ever get sick. Spirit does not ever carry any disease. So when we align with that piece of us, that’s when healing starts to happen. Our true rhythm, our true purpose, our true understanding of who our soul is, why we came to this earth, all these metaphysical discussions that sound religious, are actually beginning to be quantum physics questions.

What skills in general does it take, to help people in their process of dying?   

Sara Allen: Every body’s death is as individual as their thumbprint and their needs. Simple energy tests to determine what process they need, what food they need, are a start.  What we need to remember is that the body of someone in the process of dying is no longer vital; it’s the Spirit that is vital. The general questions you will ask when energy testing are: Will this enhance the process? Is this what this person needs? Their bodies hold all the answers; they come fully equipped.
We don’t have to know anything. The people dying don’t know most of time, but their bodies are totally conscious; the body is totally present. Finding out through energy testing what their bodies need, is how I would answer that question.

How much do you need to understand of the process of living, in order to understand the process of dying?

Sara Allen: Dying is a part of living. It is a living process. You are still alive when you are dying. It almost sounds as if I am being a smart aleck when I say it this way but you are still alive till you are not. So your body has needs, your body has reactions, just as it has when you are vital; it’s just that it is not about your vitality any more.
I would say that the most important distinction is that it is about your Soul’s vitality. Dying may be the last phase of living; but it is not the end of life, put in a philosophical perspective.

Question 7: The attitude towards the process of dying has frequently changed throughout history and is very different in several cultures; varying from having all loved ones gathered around and involved in the process of dying, to isolating the dying person. What are your views on this and where do you think we stand in Western society at this point of time?

Sara Allen: It is so frequent that I get guilt ridden messages from family members of my clients, maybe even 70% of the cases, who have spent hours, if not days at the side of the dying and then they go for that one shower or that one cup of coffee and their loved one only dies when they are not there. What is happening there is that the physical presence of that family member is anchoring the body of the dying person; so they can’t take off.

The big difference between the commonly used medical procedures, where dying is seen as a process of deterioration and treated as such (basically extending that process of deterioration), and the approach I talk about; is that we switch vitalities.
We switch from physical vitality to spiritual vitality, spiritual in the quantum physics manner of understanding as previously outlined. Then you are in this concept, where you have this celebration, this remembrance; this consciousness; imparting all this wisdom. When the dying person is actually in that space and consciousness of being in two places at once, which is what starts to happen. I’ve seen people get out their notebooks and just ask the great questions about the essence and meaning of things; as you have access to that knowledge. In turn, the people dying feel valued, recognized, are able to share the experience and the people they are leaving, feel touched. It is still vey very sorrowful and sad, it is still separation from the living; but it’s a way to build a legacy that could otherwise be missed.

What if the person dying is not ready to accept such a state of being? What can you then do for them then to participate in their process?

Sara Allen: First of all, I have no judgment whatsoever on what people choose to do in their process. If somebody wants chemotherapy to extend life as long as possible, or whether they want morphine to sedate the process, then that is what they should choose to do. Part of the ‘drug death’ as I call it, is pain and fear of pain. In Energy Medicine pain is really seen as energy that is stuck. There is a choice; an alternative to the pain. You loose nothing by initiating these techniques and then switching to morphine if you have to. Again however, when people have said all they can say, and have made that choice, then that is as deep as they want to go. It will be interesting to see, how people who have been working with Energy Medicine for a long time during their lives; using it on themselves to align their energies as much as possible, will go through this process.

Can energy medicine be used in combination with compassionate euthanasia?

Sara Allen: The biggest discussion why compassionate euthanasia – which is a much better term for it than assisted suicide – is illegal in most of the US, is that they do not want someone to turn the morphine up for the wrong reasons. The idea that there is so much medication involved, raises the question if we would notice when it was falsely used and that is a worthy argument.
In energy medicine techniques we do not use medication. Energy medicine follows the natural rhythms of the body. The thing about these techniques is that when you are not ready to go, they will not let you go. You cannot kill anybody with these techniques. There is a lot of things we can do with Energy Medicine to ease the suffering and some of those techniques could well overlap the techniques used for aligning the system of the terminal ill, but you have to be ready to go.
In fact, I often quote the example I witnessed of a man who was thought to be in his last hours. He suffered from dementia and during life had not been into energy medicine or any such things at all. He had quite a controlling personality and displayed aggravated behavior. When the Energy Medicine technique of applying color was used on him, he recovered real quickly and asked for breakfast only a few hours later. Energy Medicine techniques will always support the vitality that the body is in, you are going to be better either way. You are going to be more vital, either in your soul or in your physical body.

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