Merlin Student Scholar Fellow: “Grief as Self-Discovery”

Inspired by her interest in grief & the role it can play in our lives, Merlin Student Scholar Fellow Julianna Breit designed and led a workshop on grieving through the lens of philosophy. View more here!

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When Our Elders Die: A Confucian Perspective on Grief & A Language Lost

When we lose our elders, our worlds are silenced. Tis’ the ineffable weight of loss and sadness and a language lost. This thoughtful & beautifully written article by Amy Olberding, Professor of Philosophy at University of Oklahoma, explores grief & loss through the eyes of Confucian philosophy.

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Our Final Moments & Things That Matter When Dying

A poignant, moving, and beyond insightful presentation, Executive Director at Zen Hospice Project & palliative care physician, BJ Miller, offers a clear-eyed view of mortality & things that matter to us all when dying:  grace, dignity, respect, existential peace, wonder, comfort, feeling unburdened (and unburdening), enlightenment and love…those spaces in…

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Staying Afloat Amidst Heartbreak & The Loss of a Child

Losing a child is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a parent can face.  How we navigate the pain, sadness, anger & despair of grief is critical.  It can also be excruciating.  Comedian, storyteller, actor, and philanthropist, Anthony Griffith, shares his story about the loss of his daughter and his…

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How Philosophy Can Help Us Grieve

Merlin MCC | Grief Image | Scholarly Articles

Navigating the Wake(s) of Loss: How Philosophy Can Help Us Grieve Marisa Diaz-Waian, International Journal of Applied Philosophy 28:1 (2014): 19-48. ABSTRACT: How might approaching loss philosophically help us grieve? What does it mean to approach something philosophically? Why might such an approach be advantageous to studies of grief? In…

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My Mom the Magician Superhero: Showing Up & Being There

Growing up without a father can be difficult & painful.  Comedian, storyteller, actor, and philanthropist, Anthony Griffith, shares his story about life without a dad, the superpowers of his mom (his magician superhero), and the kinds of thinking you have to “put away” when growing up.  Listen to his moving…

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Grief vs Depression

Merlin MCC | Grief vs. Depression

Grief & depression are not the same thing.  You can grieve without being depressed and without your grief leading to depression.  However, the distinction is a sticky one and can walk a fine line.  For these reasons and more…therapists and medical professionals have avoided categorizing those who have just lost…

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