In what ways might faith and spirituality affect grief?

Question

Can having faith or belonging to a religious community assist individuals in navigating through and coping with the grieving process?

Answer 1

I am learning how to live with the loss of my beautiful Frida, my soul-dog, my best friend ever. When I spontaneously start looking for her and then realize she is not here, I find her inside my heart.

Comments

I totally understand, I feel the same with my loss of my pets, being parrots, especially those that became ill and even with veterinarian intervention I couldn't save them... accept keep them cuddled with me until the end. Most people understand the grief of a dog or cat, but don't understand how precious birds are as well. I wish you the best in healing.

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Same. My brain still expects to see the dog chillin' in his crate when I come down the stairs every morning. I'll never forget how soft his ears were, and I'll always be looking for the light on his collar in the darkness when I sit on the back porch at night.

Answer 2

I never understood why anyone would want to take their own life until my wife of 40 years passed away. The constant pain is so unbearable, I would do anything to not feel that way. I drank every day for three years and felt true physical pain. One day I did not feel that terrible pain. It was like a switch was turned off in my stomach. It became duller and less painful. I was able to think of my wife with love and remember the good times. I started to go out and date again. Eventually I met a wonderful woman and we have been together now for a year. My late wife will always be a part of me and in losing her I realize how much I loved her and appreciate the new love I have found. I show that love to my partner more than I did my whole life knowing how lucky I am to have found another. It was a terrible journey that I survived and I knew that most everyone had gone through it, but it was my loss and it felt like my world ended and I did not want to continue this life. I'm glad I did not take "the easy way out", the suffering has made me a better man.

Answer 3

My dad died 10 months ago. It’s been insane. We held a celebration of life for him and that party went til late, the way my dad would’ve preferred it I think. We must bolster our faith systems to seek positivity within grief.

Answer 4

I love Mary Francis' work with grief and bring this work into our grief coach certification training because it is important to integrate the science of bereavement with grief support. I am thrilled you have brought her into your studio to discuss this very important information. Thank you for this!

Answer 5

One of the best episodes - I enjoyed the speaker a lot

Answer 6

No one tells you how to deal with the loss of your best friends as you get older. Person after person…

I broke up with a guy who has Alzheimer’s. I felt like a traitor. Our whole relationship was nothing but me becoming more and more his nurse not more of his lover… he kept changing so I basically kept losing him… our relationship was too short to survive… so painful

Answer 7

Andrew! Thanks for asking exactly the question I wanted to ask again and again… I lost my husband suddenly a year ago, and still can’t understand how I’m supposed to mange this hard time of grief (my own and my teenaged kids grief) without him by my side.

Answer 8

My father passed away last year, and 3 days ago I lost my dog, who meant the world to me. Thank you Dr. Huberman, for everything that you do.

Answer 9

I am reading this for the second time today. Grief and despair - the path towards understanding the nature of reality. I'm on month 6.

One day at a time

Answer 10

My wife is about to be tested for Huntington’s. We’ve been stuck in a space of potential grief for years. It’s been a journey of learning to accept the impermanence of life - nobody is guaranteed tomorrow, but it’s hard to embrace that idea.

Comments

Thank You for caring for her and loving her as you are doing. Be grateful she is still alive. I can't speak for what to do after a loved one passes. I listen to these scientists who haven't a clue about real grief, or know how to handle the horrors of tumors and convulsions, but write books and talk abundantly about navigating their wonder filled lives.

Answer 11

Her use of pause while delivering important information is excellent and allows time for us to process. I would like to sit in on her lectures.

Answer 12

Such a powerful and necessary conversation. Dr. O’Connor’s work really illuminates how grief isn’t just emotional—it’s neurological, biological, existential. The back-and-forth between protest and despair makes so much sense when you realize the brain is trying to update its reality while still holding onto a bond that no longer has a physical anchor.

I’ve been exploring the emotional and philosophical sides of human suffering and transformation too. If anyone here is drawn to that intersection of psychology and meaning, you might find something that resonates.

Answer 13

I was getting weekly massages after my father passed. I needed touch but my heart was so broken, I didn’t want hugs—I just didn’t have the right people around me to get a pure agape love hug. The massage helped me transmute the pain from my grief into a loving remembrance. By healing my body, I was healing my broken heart.

Answer 14

This is good. My husband died 11 years ago. We hide this normal process away which does not help! The Irish Wakes are sorely missed.
But I have a friend (bereaved) who doesn't want to learn change her state. A type of addiction I'd say.

Answer 15

Just recently lost my dad who had a strong fun personality. Sometimes I am in pain and crying because I miss him, but other times like today I feel his absence but not the pain of his loss, however, I feel very lonely and bored without him despite being with others and busy

Comments

Absence.... It is easy to edit your comment, if you would like to... And I am very sorry for your loss.  My Dad is still alive and "well" at 89 y.o., but he has lost his previously fun and funny personality.  I am grieving.

Answer 16

Thank you Andrew for bringing this guest and your team for putting this out. Just finalized my divorce 2 weeks ago so this came at the perfect time as I'm grappling with grief and healing…it's exactly what I'm looking for. Sending love to everyone who is suffering

Answer 17

Going through an incredibly tough time after a divorce, health and financial issues and tragic loss of a friend in 6 months. I'm a skater from Sydney from back in the 90's and ended up moving into medical technology.
I just wanted to say thanks, Andrew, for getting me through another lonely week, mate. You give a lot of us sad souls a bit of hope, and with practical protocols I can do, even in this dark place is everything right now.
I don't think I'd be alive this month if it wasn't for your podcast brother. Keep up the good work ❤

Comments

Hi Ken sounds like you’ve had a nightmare time lately and I’m so sorry for your losses and troubles. Hang in there, things will get better in time. Just wanted to say hi from the UK

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Thanks brother, appreciate it ❤️‍

Answer 18

What an amazing incredible speaker, thank you so much for your service to us I feel so blessed to live in a timeline where we can share this knowledge with each other! <3

Answer 19

guys I'm literally crying rn... was about to end it all last month after losing everything (job, relationship, savings). Found a book Manifest and Receive by Eva Hartley the same day through a big podcast. The quantum field chapter hit me so hard I couldn't sleep. Started applying the frequency techniques and I'm not even joking - within 9 days my ex reached out, got offered my dream job (150k+), and my anxiety completely disappeared. I never share personal stuff but I'd feel guilty keeping this secret when so many are struggling. The way Selene explains manifestation through quantum physics is EVERYTHING. If you're reading this, it's a sign from the universe. Trust me, understanding the science will change your entire reality. I'm living proof ✨

Answer 20

I am grief right now. Over someone who is not dead. Over a relationship I chose to end and don't regret ending. But I still miss her and love her.