Unattended Sorrow

Recovering from Loss and Reviving the Heart

Stephen Levine

Introduction by Ondrea Levine
Foreword by Mirabai Starr

Paperback
978-1-939681-90-4
US $16.95
eBook
US $11.95
978-1-939681-91-1
January 2019

Renowned grief counselor Stephen Levine tells us that long after an initial loss has passed and the period of grieving has ended an unattended sorrow lingers, accounting for a host of physical, emotional and spiritual maladies. It is not uncommon then for those with unresolved grief to lean toward addictions or dangerous behaviors or other forms of self-destruction. In Unattended Sorrow, Levine addresses the grief from fresh loss but also attends to the pain and troubles caused by the unresolved anguish, sadness and delayed stress than can accumulate over a lifetime. He notes that we may never entirely overcome sorrows but we can confront them with mercy and self-acceptance that smooths the path to healing the heart.

Stephen Levine was the bestselling author of many books. With his wife Ondrea, he counseled terminally ill people and their loved ones for than 30 years. His renowned work in grief counseling inspired radio segments and interviews as well as magazine articles including pieces in O: The Oprah Magazine, Psychology Today and the Utne Reader. He and Ondrea lived for many years in the mountains of New Mexico, where Ondrea still lives today.

“…All of his easy-to-follow suggestions involve extending kindness and forgiveness to the self, which, Levine says, will lead to the practice of dealing with others in the spirit of mercy and love. Although, as Levine acknowledges, the healing process is slow, opening the pain-filled heart can lead to the unfolding of a new life.”—Publisher's Weekly, starred review

“Stephen’s work is magic. His work with the grieving and dying is among the most skillful and compassionate that I am aware of.”—Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

“My heart lifted and my spirits rejoiced on reading this divinely inspired book. Unattended Sorrow is going to be so important in the literature of moving forward after loss.”—Judy Collins

“There is no one better to turn to in times of loss than Stephen Levine. This book is an invaluable tool for anyone recovering from any type of major loss. A must, must read.”—Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

“At a time when the world seems so full of sadness and fear, this book, so beautifully written, is a major force for healing.”—Dean Ornish, MD

“Though mainly known (with his wife Ondrea) for his work with the dying, Unattended Sorrow encompasses all forms of grief, including what he calls “Our Most Ordinary Existential Grief.” All the unresolved grief of a lifetime surfaces when we face major loss. With his compassionate guidance, and overview as a spiritual seeker, he counsels us to gently, kindly, face our pain and begin to heal our hearts. His clear perception, poetic descriptions, metaphors and similies are easily grasped; his warm-hearted wisdom makes him a trusted friend to turn to in sorrow.”—Light of Consciousness