Written Work
Grief and Grace: Essays on Love and Beauty in the Midst of Dying by Cynthia Greb
This book was begun five years ago when I suddenly found myself in the midst of a spate of deaths. Within one three-year period I lost both parents, a beloved niece, several clients, three uncles, and a couple former boyfriends. Caring for both parents as they neared the end of their life was especially challenging and brought forth a whole host of emotions, the most pronounced of which were pure exhaustion and overwhelm. Being blessed with strong faith and having a background as a hospice chaplain helped a little, for sure, but one can’t just bypass the feelings that arise.
Then, Grace happened. Over and over I found that during periods of darkness and despair, moments of exquisite beauty and sweetness would break through. I began to realize that life and death are intertwined. Beauty and pain, love and loss — they are all commingled.
Ultimately then, this book is about, not loss, but transcendent love.
How to Order:
Directly from Cynthia
Amazon
“In this loving and sensitive series of stories, Cynthia Greb touches upon experiences and feelings that we all must journey through at some point in our finite lives. She teaches us the value of love in all its many forms and shows us that even on the darkest days we can be wrapped in grace if we keep our minds and hearts open.” — Robin L. Reichert, author of Earth Divine: Adventures of an Everyday Mystic
“I loved the honesty of this book. As a fellow hospice chaplain, I appreciated Cynthia’s willingness to show the underbelly of not knowing. Regardless of our professional roles or training, losing those most dear to us is an experience that offers no free pass. We humans are all on an equal playing field when it comes to death and dying. The experience can be confusing, painful, meaningful, profound and sometimes amazingly beautiful. Cynthia has a way of bringing us into her heart as she navigates the impossible…making it okay for those we love to leave us. I highly recommend this book for caregivers, family members and professionals alike. Well done!” — Rev, Helen Burke, pastoral counselor
The Art of Vegetarian Cooking: Over 55 Easy Recipes to Help You Get Started by Cynthia Greb (and friends)
This cookbook was inspired by my brother who, at the time, was new to vegetarianism. Created for both the novice as well as those who simply want to eat better but don’t have a whole lot of time to prepare elaborate meals, this friendly book is chock full of nutritional tips and time-saving ideas. You will also find ample suggestions for soups, salads, breakfast, lunch, side dishes, and dinner entrees. Everyone is guaranteed to find something they like. When you get home at the end of the day tired, hungry, and cranky, this book will come in very handy.
The Art of Vegetarian Cooking is available in Book or Kindle format.
Directly from Cynthia
Amazon
Stay tuned. Now that I’ve managed to birth two books into the world, more will follow. After years of gestating multiple projects, these babies are lining up ready to burst forth!
Future Projects
60 Days in the Life of a Spiritual Nomad, by Cynthia Greb
This book chronicles the pilgrimage I began in late August. It shares the insights I gained about myself and this world as I slowed down to be in deeper communion with the nature, offer prayer at the places of woundedness, and meet those of differing cultures. It is filled with photos, tips for travelers, and references to other books, thinkers, and wise ones. Ultimately it is about not just the outer journey, but the work we do within ourselves.
Walk in Beauty: Seeing Our Planet through the Eyes of Love, by Cynthia Greb
This book is a photographic essay which celebrates the glory of the natural world. It was created at the urging of several friends who marvel at the beauty I have been blessed to witness these past several years. Interspersed throughout are poetic snippets of spiritual encouragement. The reader is encouraged to celebrate, be in gratitude, rest, and be at peace. Walk in Beauty is ideal as a gift for a friend or oneself.
DOA: Death, Oneness, and the Afterlife, by Cynthia Greb
This book was inspired by a talk I gave in March 2016 called “Death, Dreams, and the Afterlife.” It was born from my experiences with the death of both parents, plus several friends, relatives, and clients over the course of just a few years. As I was processing all this death, I found that my interest in the afterlife grew tremendously. I began reading everything I could get my hands on, I collected stories from friends and acquaintances and I even met with a couple mediums for the first time ever. The result of all this is a melange of real-life experience with one of life’s greatest transitions, many mystical experiences and sacred dreams after loved ones have left this plane, and information about how death is handled in other traditions around the world. This compelling book will, no doubt, pique your own curiosity about the age-old frontier of death and the afterlife.
If you have personally experienced some profound mystical encounter or sacred dream during or after the dying process of a close friend or relative, I would love to hear about it! I believe these experiences help us all to lose our fear of death and to realize that we are all connected. Death can never overpower love!