A powerful book that looks at life and death as a pilgrimage, presenting death as the last and most important rite of passage. Drawing on the Vedic wisdom of India and the experiences of its author, a hospice spiritual counselor, the book gives a very positive and empowering perspective on how to understand the dying phase of life not only as a tragedy but as an opportunity for tremendous growth. The author uses stories from the Vedic tradition as well as true stories from his hospice work to show how ordinary people can gain extraordinary insight and even quality of life near the end of life.