Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,MD., (July 8, 1926 - August 24, 2004) was a psychiatrist, who is known best for her work with death and dying. Born in Switzerland, she moved to the United States in 1958 for work and study.
Kubler-Ross recognized the power of unconditional love as the only thing that can truly heal. She also tirelessly campaigned for the dying individuals to be treated with dignity and respect.
Three Stages of Dying by Kubler-Ross
Kubler-Ross mentioned that there are three stages to the moment of death from her research involving people that had experienced near-death experiences. She compared the process of dying to that of a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. Twenty-thousand cases of people all over the world — all of whom were declared clinically dead — were studied as part of her research on after-life.
- The first stage is the shedding of the physical body. When the physical body is degenerated to the point that it cannot be repaired, the butterfly or the soul, leaves the cocoon or the physical body.
- When the second stage is reached, the butterfly or the soul is supplied with psychic energy. The deceased person is whole again, devoid of physical challenges, illnesses or defects. A scientific project was done with blind people who had out-of-body experience. Upon their return to the physical body, their descriptions of colors, details relating to other people in the room, were accurate.
- In the third stage, in the presence of light, the soul can look back on its entire life and gain valuable knowledge. Those that were declared clinically dead and lived to tell their story, only see this light for a moment.
The Kubler-Ross Model of the Five Stages of Grief
Kubler-Ross is also well known for her findings on the stages of grief which has come to be known as the Kubler-Ross model. Kubler-Ross found that every individual with terminal illness goes through some or all of the stages of grieving and in no particular order.
- Denial - Any diagnosis of a major illness could put the individual in a state of denial.
- Anger - The individual starts asking questions like, "Why me?" as the result of frustration stemming from the experience of loss.
- Bargaining - The bargaining stage involves negotiations with a higher power or justifying the need for more time, to fulfill a desire or witness an event.
- Depression - Depression sets in when there is the first sign of belief that death might be inevitable. The individual may start grieving and may begin to alienate himself from loved ones.
- Acceptance - The individual experiences some peace at this stage, and understanding that he has done everything possible and it might be in his best interest to prepare for the inevitable.
Kubler-Ross's study on death and dying was ground-breaking for the medical community and a much needed scientific validation for the spiritually inclined believers of after-life. She believed that there are no accidents and even seemingly difficult life circumstances help make a person stronger. Her life's work offers soothing, reassuring suggestions to lead a better life, by understanding the nature of death.
Sources:
- On Death and Dying, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.
- On Life After Death, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Carolyn Myss.
- On Death and Dying - An Interview with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross by Daniel Redwood D.C.
Subha Ekambaram - I'm fascinated by the self healing processes of the human body and the alternative methods that accelerate it. I like to be present where ...
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