COMA COMMUNICATION
NEAR DEATH - a Summary of Research of Dr. Amy Mindell, Dr.
Arnold Mindell, and Stan Tomandl
Near death, people often enter coma and other remote states of
consciousness. Process oriented coma workers believe these states
present opportunities for deep inner experiences including: exploring
the meaning of life, completing unfinished business, and making
spiritual connections. Rather than being left alone, people in
coma/remote states call for a special way of relating, that supports
them fully entering their inner lives. This can bring immense relief
to those in coma and to loved ones at the bedside.
Psychologists Drs. Amy and Arnold Mindell have been developing process
oriented coma work since 1975. In 1986 they began to teach their
method. In 1989 Arny published Coma: Key to Awakening. Stan
published Coma Work and Palliative Care: An Introductory Skills
Manual for Supporting People Living in Coma Near Death in 1991,
and in 1998 Amy published Coma, a Healing Journey: A Guide for
Family, Friends, and Helpers. The Mindell’s basic premise is that
individuals near death are making decisions that require information
from both their normal and deep inner states.
Coma and other states of altered consciousness, including those near
death, can be enriching and enlivening opportunities for new
experiences in “dialogue” and communication between patients, loved
ones, and caregivers. Coma workers help patients discover more of
themselves by bringing awareness to their inner experiences. We teach
the language of close attention and love by noticing clients’
seemingly trivial or subtle cues: breathing, twitches, erratic motion,
mumbling, groans, eye movements, and many others. We use a variety of
techniques to help communication cues grow stronger and clearer, then
we help connect those cues to patients’ inner awareness. Often we are
able to set up binary (yes/no) communication systems to gain
information and help make decisions. This whole process can encourage
clients to be more conscious of themselves and their relationships
with others.
People who receive active loving support for their remoteness, tend to
experience themselves more deeply and may move more quickly and easily
through their coma. Some individuals decide to revive for hours, days,
or even months to complete their lives. Those who decide to die can do
so with a greater sense of themselves and those surrounding them. Coma
communication can also be very enriching for those at the bedside.
We are available as keynote speakers, workshop facilitators, and for
private training sessions. For more information contact:Stan Tomandl, MA, PWD & Ann Jacob, BA Ed
COMA COMMUNICATION THERAPY ~ PROCESS ORIENTED FACILITATION
#502--620 View Street, Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 1J6
Phone+1.250.383.5677 Email*annstan@islandnet.com* URL*www.comacommunication.com*
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