How to Heal a Grieving Heart by Doreen Virtue and James Van Praagh

I confess I am not religious by nature, but I am open to what others embrace. Last month I was at a bookstore in Portland when I selected this book How To Heal A Grieving Heart by Doreen Virtue and James Van Praagh, in spite of its strong references to God. I was impressed by both the thoughts provided, the engaging  format and the colorful images designed to uplift the spirits of someone who is grieving.

“Your Loved One Isn’t Gone, Just Shifted

Heaven is not a faraway cloud in the sky; it is parallel to Earth at a higher vibrational frequency. Just like radio and television stations are next to each other on the dial but at different bandwidths, so too is your loved one right next to you. You can feel his or her presence as a vibration. Each person has a unique vibrational frequency, like a snowflake’s individuality. So if you think about your loved one, trust this is a sign that he or she is with you.”

Excerpt page 17

Credit: with permission by the authors

I also thought this book would be a good gift idea for a religious friend or family member who’s struggling with the impact of a loss. With the holidays upon us, this could be a perfect Christmas gift too. For those unsure as to the timing of such a gift, bear in mind the saying “the second year is the hardest.” It refers to the second year when all those around a grieving person have moved on, while that person is still in a state of raw emotion.

Credit: with permission from the authors

‘Try to Find a Blessing in Every Burden

You have heard the expression “Every cloud has a silver lining.” It is true. For every experience that seems “negative” or sad, there is always a polar opposite available within the same experience. Many times our souls are being tested to see if we can find hidden blessings.’

Excerpt Page 68

How To Heal A Grieving Heart is designed to be opened at any page, offering awareness of one specific aspect of the grief process along with one paragraph of solace — one page and one day at a time. Both authors have applied their own personal experience with loss to beautifully touch (like a butterfly) on all facets of deep grieving. They entwine a wide range of topics: religion, the stages of grief, suggestions for moving forward, regrets, karma, dealing with family members, and many more. For a religious person, the book tackles that greatest question of all – why is my loved one gone?

Why Aren’t Others Sad, Too?

“When we are in the midst of our grief and are so upset, we often will wonder why others cannot feel what we do, and question how they could go about their normal lives when something this devastating happened. Everyone has a different relationship with a loved one and will express the loss differently. Just know that your loved one in Spirit knows of your sadness and feels your love.”

Excerpt Page 103

Credit: with permission from the authors

Having read my share of books on helping heal through grief, I was truly impressed with the breadth of topics and the gentle words put forth to create a well-rounded book on healing. Titles include “I’m Too Sensitive…I Can’t Take it,” “A Soul Never Leaves Without Leaving Gifts Behind,” “Sometimes It’s Just a Matter of Getting Dressed” and “Holidays Can Still Be Special” (hence my choice to review the book during the holidays.)

‘”Why Did This Happen?”

In time, all of your questions about your loved one’s passing will be answered. Someday soon, you will know the truth. In the meantime, allow yourself to be at peace with uncertainty. It is okay for you to not understand.

Excerpt Page 96

This one hundred and sixteen page book is a sweet, loving solution to that yearly Christmas gift dilemma, especially for a friend or family member who has the extra burden of having suffered a loss.