Grief is universal. We experience loss in so many ways throughout our lives.
It isn’t a problem to solve; it’s a teacher.
Met with mindfulness and compassion, grief can open the door to a wider, more tender life.
Grief: A Path to Wholeness
with Frank Ostaseski
Friday, December 5th, 2025
12 - 1 pm EST
Recording will be shared with registrants
Registration is free, and donations are encouraged.
How do we move toward the light of absolute truth while honouring our human, relative nature? Not by suppressing our grief. And not by attempting a spiritual bypass around the difficult, sometimes dark emotions that follow great loss.
In this program, we’ll explore how grief—when met with compassion and mindful attention—can become a reliable path to wholeness. Rather than something to get over, grief can reveal capacities within us that were previously out of reach: tenderness, courage, humility, and a deeper belonging to life itself.
Together, we’ll investigate:
The difference between pain and suffering—and how mindfulness helps us relate to both
How grief deconstructs old identities and opens space for genuine transformation
Practices that cultivate steadiness, compassion, and wise action amid uncertainty
Ways to lean into community so we don’t have to carry loss alone
What you may take away:
Practical contemplative tools for meeting grief without overwhelm
A clearer understanding of how grief can deepen resilience and compassion
Language and frameworks to support loved ones, patients, and colleagues
A felt sense of connection—to yourself, to others, and to the larger arc of life
Who this is for:
Everyone experiences loss at some point. Caregivers, clinicians, and anyone living with personal or collective loss. No prior meditation experience required—just a willingness to meet yourself with honesty and care.
Although registration for this event is free, donations are encouraged. They will help us cover the costs associated with hosting this event and build our capacity to offer incredible programs for healthcare professionals, volunteers, and young adults.
About Frank Ostaseski:
Frank Ostaseski is an internationally respected Buddhist teacher, cofounder of the Zen Hospice Project, and founder of the Metta Institute. He has lectured at Harvard Medical School, the Mayo Clinic, and leading companies including Google and Apple, and teaches at major spiritual centers worldwide. Frank received the Humanities Award from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
He has accompanied more than 1,000 people through the dying process and trained thousands of healthcare clinicians and family caregivers around the globe. His work has been featured on Bill Moyers’ PBS series “On Our Own Terms,” highlighted on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and honored by H.H. the Dalai Lama. Frank is the author of “The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully.”
You can learn more about his work at mettainstitute.org.
About Sarana Institute:
Sarana Institute is a registered charity and community organization dedicated to fostering inner strength and meaning in our complex world. The name "Sarana," derived from Pali, an ancient language from the time of the Historical Buddha, signifies "refuge or sanctuary." This concept embodies both an inner state and an outer place that reconnects us with our inherent wholeness and our interconnectedness with all life.
We offer a range of programs, from personal development to professional training in mindfulness and compassion-based practices. Learn more about our programs, upcoming events, and how you can get involved in creating a more mindful and compassionate world.
Learn more about Sarana by reading the Sarana Story or by exploring our Mission, Vision, and Values. You can support our work by making a donation today.
The Mindfulness & Compassion Training Program
For more than two decades, Sarana Institute has offered experiential, skill-based training to professionals and volunteers in the Hospice, Palliative Care, Healthcare, and Long-Term Care sectors. Our goal is to equip you with the inner resources necessary to sustain your well-being amidst caregiving's unique stressors and challenges.
Discover through our introductory video how the upcoming Mindfulness + Compassion Certificate Program can transform your caregiving approach, enriching your personal and professional life