“When Death comes to find you,

may it find you alive.”

AFRICAN PROVERB

Befriending Death

Registration is Open!

Course Dates: 2/4/25 - 3/25/25 (Live Sessions on Tuesdays 4 - 6pm MT)

Cost: $850.00 USD

Course Schedule

Week 1  2/4/25 - Join Learning Platform

Week 2  2/11/25 - Welcome & Overview (Zoom)

Week 3  2/18/25 - Physical Realm (Zoom)

Week 4  2/25/25 - Integration (Zoom)

Week 5 3/4/25 - Emotional & Spiritual Realm (Zoom)

Week 6 3/11/25 - After Death Care & Documents (Zoom)

Week 7 3/18/25 - Integration (Zoom)

Week 8 3/25/25 - Community (Zoom)

REGISTER

Registration Closes 1/28/25

Cost: $850.00 USD

REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY: WE DO NOT OFFER REFUNDS. IT IS OUR EXPECTATION THAT STUDENTS COMPLETE THEIR COURSEWORK AND GRADUATE WITH THEIR COHORT IN ORDER TO EARN A CERTIFICATE. IF YOU HAVE PAID AND NOT YET ACCESSED THE COURSEWORK, YOU MAY CONSIDER OFFERING A ONE-TIME GIFT OF YOUR ENROLLMENT AS A SCHOLARSHIP TO A STUDENT IN NEED.

Living fully begins with befriending death.

This 8-week course invites you to embark on a deep exploration of what it means to befriend death as a vital part of living a meaningful life. Through LIVE Zoom sessions, immersive experiential practices, and reflective exercises, you’ll develop a new relationship with the concept of mortality—one that is rooted in curiosity, courage, and awareness.

This course utilizes the North Star Tool, a Guide for Living and Dying with Purpose. Engage in guided practices designed to help you confront fears, while reflecting on your personal values and beliefs, translating them into practical end-of-life plans that align with your wishes and ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones. By the end of the course, you will have a complete set of documents outlining your end-of-life preferences, empowering you to navigate end-of-life decisions and conversations. 

More than just preparing for death, this journey reveals how befriending death can infuse life with richness and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the present moment. Participants often find themselves living with a renewed sense of purpose and connection, carrying forward the understanding that death is not an endpoint but a sacred part of the human experience. Whether you are looking to deepen your relationship with your own mortality, support a loved one, or simply live more fully, we look forward to welcoming you to the Collective.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

  • Anyone who's curious about the possibility of befriending death, rather than fearing it.
  • Anyone who wants to be more prepared for the complex experiences of aging, serious illness, dying, or caregiving.
  • Anyone who wants to have practical information and completed documentation about their wishes for end of life care.
  • Anyone who wants a more holistic understanding of the value of death and grief as essential parts of human development.
  • Any community member who wants to be a resource for others on issues of death, dying, grief and loss.
  • Anyone who is curious about how befriending death might change how we live.
  • Anyone wishing to go on to take the End-of-Life Doula Pathway.

OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES YOU WITH THE SKILLS TO:

  • Reflect on compelling topics of death and grief.
  • Open conversations with your family and friends about priorities for living and dying.
  • Become aware of new options and opportunities available in end-of-life care.
  • Compile a workbook of documents that reflect your values and priorities for aging, serious illness, and dying.
  • Be a safe space for others to engage in conversations about death and dying.
  • Become an informed resource for creating death-caring communities.

REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION / CONTACT HOURS:

  • Participate in readings and self-reflective writing assignments.
  • Explore your own end-of-life desires, beliefs, and wishes.
  • Complete your 'North Star' care plan.
  • Experience caring, healing, and transformational practices.
  • Participate in live virtual sessions with our faculty and staff.
  • Interact with your classmates in thought-provoking discussions.

Interested in becoming an end-of-life doula? Learn more about our End-of-Life Doula Training Program here:

What is the North Star Tool?

A Guide for Living and Dying with Purpose.

We chose the name "North Star" for our practicum and workbook because, throughout history, this celestial marker has been a powerful symbol of guidance, constancy, and direction across many cultures. The Vikings, for instance, referred to it as leiðarstjarna, or the guiding star, using it to navigate treacherous seas, while in Hindu culture, it is tied to the story of Dhruva, a symbol of unwavering devotion and steadfastness. The Lakota Sioux saw it as "The Star That Does Not Move," and a symbol of Wakan Tanka, or “the great spirit” or “great mystery”, a spiritual guide offering constancy and hope. Ancient Egyptians linked the North Star to immortality, and Chinese emperors considered it the center of the heavens, representing cosmic order. These rich, cross-cultural meanings align with the mission of our guide: to provide individuals with a constant point of reference as they navigate life’s deepest challenges and find their purpose in both living and dying, just as countless generations have turned to the North Star for direction in their physical and spiritual journeys.

Dive deeper into the powerful symbolism of the North Star and explore further connections between our journey through birth, life and death:

Norse and Viking Cultures

  • The Vikings called Polaris "Leidstjarna", meaning the “leading star” or “guiding star.” It was crucial for navigation during sea voyages across the North Atlantic, helping the Vikings to traverse long distances with accuracy.
  • In Norse mythology, the North Star is associated with the world tree Yggdrasil, with the star thought to represent the center of the heavens.

Ancient Egyptians

  • The Egyptians associated the North Star with immortality. It was seen as a constant, unmoving point in the sky, symbolizing eternal life.
  • Some scholars suggest that the pyramids may have been aligned with the North Star or other celestial objects for religious purposes, linking the pharaohs' afterlife journey to the cosmos.

Native American Tribes

  • Many Native American tribes used the North Star as a spiritual guide and as a symbol of constancy and hope. The star was often viewed as a fixed point that helped guide the soul or served as a reminder of the unchanging truth.
  • For example, the Lakota Sioux referred to Polaris as "Wicahpi Owanjila," meaning "The Star That Does Not Move," emphasizing its reliability in navigation and its spiritual symbolism.

Chinese Culture

  • In Chinese astronomy, the North Star was called "Bei Ji" (北极), meaning the Northern Celestial Pole. It was believed to be the pivot point around which the heavens revolved, symbolizing the Emperor as the center of the kingdom and the cosmos.
  • The North Star was also seen as the residence of the heavenly emperor, with ancient palaces and temples often oriented towards it.

Greek and Roman Cultures

  • Ancient Greek navigators used the North Star, referred to as "Kynosoura", which means "dog's tail," due to its position in the constellation Ursa Minor. The Greeks recognized its value for navigation in the Mediterranean.
  • In Roman culture, it was viewed similarly, serving as a celestial anchor in the heavens and a vital tool for sea voyagers.

African Cultures

  • Some African cultures, particularly those near the Sahara, used the North Star as a guiding light for travelers crossing the vast desert. It symbolized stability and direction in the ever-changing sands of the desert.
  • The Tuareg people of the Sahara referred to the North Star as a spiritual guide that helped them navigate at night.

Hindu Culture

  • In Hindu cosmology, the North Star is associated with Dhruva, a prince who, through his deep devotion and asceticism, was granted the honor of becoming a star fixed at the celestial pole. The North Star, thus, represents steadfastness, devotion, and constancy.

European Medieval and Renaissance Culture

  • During the Age of Exploration, European explorers heavily relied on the North Star for navigation across vast oceans. It symbolized adventure, exploration, and discovery.
  • It also carried spiritual connotations, representing divine guidance, unwavering faith, and constancy in a changing world.

Islamic Culture

  • In Islamic culture, the North Star was important for helping travelers determine the qibla (the direction of Mecca) when no other markers were available. It symbolized guidance, both in physical and spiritual journeys.

Symbolism in Literature and Modern Culture

  • In modern times, the term "North Star" is often used metaphorically to describe someone’s guiding principle or goal, signifying purpose, direction, and constancy.
  • The North Star is frequently invoked in literature, art, and popular culture to represent an unchanging force or a guiding light through difficult times.