Process and heal your fear, anxiety, or unresolved feelings surrounding death — creating space to focus on cultivating a more meaningful life — using shamanic practices, rituals, timeless wisdom, guided visualizations, and the ancient art of yoga nidra.
— Steve Jobs
Though the topics of death and dying can feel quite ominous, it IS possible to transform your fears and anxieties around death and embody a deep appreciation for life’s preciousness — embracing peace and creating space for more meaningful connections and shared experiences that celebrate the beauty of life.
According to Dr. Andrea Deerheart — end-of-life practitioner and thanatologist (a professional who studies death, dying, grief, and loss) — fears commonly arise in cultures that rarely acknowledge death as a natural part of life, a perspective that can prevent us from truly appreciating the time we have.
Dr. Deerhart offers new perspectives about death and dying from a variety of cultures that can help you cultivate a more harmonious relationship with mortality...
... so you can appreciate the present moment and unlock a more vibrant, meaningful, and compassionate way of living — and help others do the same.
Confronting end-of-life decisions — including clarifying healthcare wishes, resolving family conflicts, and reflecting on the legacy you wish to leave behind — is enormously challenging for most people, but, with gentle guidance,it can be profoundly liberating, and Dr. Deerhart will walk you through those processes.
You’ll find that once you lift the burdens of both the practical and the existential issues surrounding the concepts of death and dying, it will become easier to invite in a sense of presence, gratitude, and joy into each day.
Who This Course Is For
Whether you’re supporting a loved one as a caretaker, are interested in the compassionate work of death doulas and other end-of-life practitioners, or navigating your own fears about death and dying and want guidance to prepare for your end-of-life experience, you’re invited to join Dr. Deerheart in her brand-new course.
In this transformative 7-week program, Dr. Deerheart will guide you to broaden your spiritual perspective as you transform your relationship with life and death to one of harmony and acceptance for a more meaningful, fulfilling, and happy life.
Through guided practices, tools, journaling, and rituals, you’ll delve deeply into how your personal and cultural perspectives have shaped your attitudes about life and death — so you can begin to transform your fears.
Along the way, you’ll connect with your mortality in a deeply personal and profound way.
You’ll learn that when you become comfortable with your own mortality, you can make better decisions about your own end-of-life experience — and help others experience more peaceful transitions.
Dr. Deerheart has devoted nearly four decades of her life to serving the dying and their loved ones as a hospice volunteer and social worker, end-of-life practitioner, and death doula.
With master’s degrees in counseling psychology and mythology and a doctorate degree in mythology (with an emphasis in depth psychology), she’s authored many books on the subject of death and dying.
Dr. Deerheart also founded The HeartWay — a nonprofit foundation dedicated to embracing life through honoring death. Her pioneering work draws on the wisdom she has gathered over decades spent providing loving care and healing to those on the journey of conscious living and dying.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to welcome Dr. Deerheart as your guide through the rich tapestry of beliefs and practices surrounding death and the afterlife across various societies and historical periods.
In this 7-week live video course, you’ll:
- Broaden your understanding of your own perspectives about the end of life as you examine views on death across time and cultures
- Identify the deep-seated fears, beliefs, and cultural conditioning that shape your perceptions of death — so you can transform your fear, grief, and anxiety
- Expand your awareness and capacity to heal with a guided yoga nidra practice
- Learn to create sacred space for others so healing, connections, and transformations can flourish
- Craft a personal altar that reflects your unique spiritual journey, serving as a focal point for your rituals
- Uncover a more vibrant, authentic way of living as you embrace the inevitability of death
- Feel more grounded and present, with a heightened sense of peace, love, and appreciation for the life you’re living now — so you can make decisions that enhance your wellbeing
- Remove internalized barriers to embrace the death and dying process so you can support others more effectively on their end-of-life journeys
- Incorporate tools into your daily life to help you cultivate a harmonious relationship with the cycles of life and death
What You’ll Discover in These 7 Weeks
In this 7-week transformational course, Dr. Andrea Deerheart will guide you through the fundamental skills and competencies you’ll need to experience emotional freedom and transform fear through understanding death.
Join the Livestream — or Stream Later to Watch at Your Convenience
You’ll connect with Dr. Deerheart and experience her teachings through livestreaming video via any connected device. This connection is easy to use and will enhance the impact of her transmissions. Can’t make it live? After each class, you can stream the video and audio recordings to enjoy anytime and anywhere at your convenience.
Course Sessions Tuesdays at 5:00pm Pacific
This course will feature LIVE teachings, interactive sessions, experiential practices, and Q&A with Dr. Deerheart. Each session will build harmoniously upon the previous ones, so you’ll develop a complete holistic understanding of the practices, tools, and principles you’ll need to cultivate a harmonious relationship with life and death.
Module 1: Examine Historical & Cultural Views on Death & Dying to Better Understand Your Own Perspectives About the End of Life (November 19)
As the course begins, Dr. Deerheart will guide you in exploring the rich tapestry of beliefs and practices surrounding death and the afterlife across various cultures and historical periods.
You’ll delve into how different societies have understood and ritualized the end of life.
Through discussions, multimedia presentations, and reflective exercises, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse ways humans have approached mortality.
Dr. Deerheart will help you uncover the profound wisdom embedded in our collective human experience of life's final journey.
In this opening module, you’ll:
- Explore the role that death systems play in managing the social, emotional, and ritual aspects of death
- Examine both historical and modern challenges within death systems, such as societal attitudes toward mortality, the impact of technological advances, and shifting cultural norms
- Learn how optimal solutions can be integrated into contemporary practices surrounding death and dying — to enhance empathy, respect, and understanding
- Reflect on your personal views of death and dying, informed by a broader historical and cultural context
- Foster empathy and respect for the diverse beliefs and practices of others, gaining insight into the universal human experience of mortality
Module 2: Confront & Reframe Your Relationship With Death for Greater Self-Awareness & Inner Peace (November 26)
Delve into the deep-seated fears, beliefs, and cultural conditioning that shape your perceptions of death.
Through guided discussions and reflective exercises, Dr. Deerheart will help you explore how denial and myths surrounding death contribute to your anxieties and influence your relationship with life.
By identifying and challenging these cultural narratives, you’ll gain insights into how confronting the unknown can inspire a more meaningful and authentic life.
Dr. Deerheart will empower you to reframe your understanding of death, fostering a sense of peace and acceptance that enhances your overall wellbeing.
In this module, you’ll:
- Gain a deeper understanding of your own fears, beliefs, and conditioning about death, and how they impact your daily life and decision making
- Identify and challenge the cultural myths and narratives that contribute to fear and denial around death, helping to dismantle misconceptions
- Explore how different cultures shape our attitudes toward death, providing a broader perspective on the universal human experience of mortality
- Engage in reflective exercises that allow you to confront and reframe your relationship with death, leading to greater self-awareness and inner peace
- Discover how facing the reality of death can serve as a powerful motivator to live a more meaningful, authentic, and fulfilled life
- Learn practical tools and strategies to approach death with acceptance, reduce fear, and inspire a deeper appreciation for life
Module 3: Delve Into Familial & Ancestral Views on Death for Greater Emotional Clarity & a More Balanced Perspective on Life's Final Journey (December 3)
Dr. Deerheart will guide you into the complex emotions that arise when confronting death, including fear, grief, and anxiety. You’ll explore how these emotions are shaped by both your personal experiences and societal influences.
You’ll also gain valuable insights into the familial beliefs and traditions that have shaped your views on death, with a special focus on intergenerational perspectives and ancestral influences.
Dr. Deerheart will provide a space for spiritual exploration, examining how diverse cultural and religious perspectives inform your understanding of death and the afterlife.
You’ll engage deeply with your emotions, leading to a more integrated and holistic understanding of how emotional, familial, and spiritual factors converge in their relationship with death.
In this module, you’ll:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the emotions that arise when you think about death — including fear, grief, and anxiety — and learn how these emotions are influenced by personal and societal factors
- Explore how your family’s beliefs, traditions, and intergenerational perspectives shape your views on death
- Examine how your spiritual beliefs and practices, along with diverse cultural and religious perspectives, impact your relationship with death and the afterlife
- Discover hidden emotions and their influences through a guided visualization, “Navigating the Depths: Exploring the Emotional, Familial & Spiritual Ties to Death and Beyond"
- Explore how emotional, familial, and spiritual factors interconnect, empowering you to approach death with a more integrated and balanced perspective
Module 4: Embrace the Inevitability of Death to Unlock a More Meaningful, Vibrant & Authentic Way of Living (December 10)
Dr. Deerheart will help you connect with your mortality in a deeply personal and profound way.
You’ll experience how acknowledging the reality of mortality can inspire a richer, more purposeful approach to life.
You’ll cultivate a deeper appreciation for the present moment and how embracing the inevitability of death can unlock a more meaningful, vibrant, and authentic way of living.
In this module, you’ll:
- Gain a heightened awareness of your own mortality which can inspire a renewed sense of purpose in life
- Work with tools within a safe space to help you confront your fears, anxieties, and beliefs about death
- Participate in a guided immersive simulation exercise to process your feelings about death
- Transform the contemplation of mortality into a powerful source of life inspiration
- Cultivate present-moment awareness to help you reflect on mortality and develop a stronger appreciation for living fully in the here and now
Module 5: Expand Your Awareness & Heal Through the Stillness of Yoga Nidra [pre-recorded] (December 17)
Dr. Deerheart will introduce you to the transformative practice of yoga nidra, a powerful technique that promotes deep relaxation and heightened awareness.
You’ll learn the foundational principles of yoga nidra, exploring how this practice supports physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
Experience firsthand how yoga nidra can help you transcend fears and grief, cultivate peace, and inspire love and compassion as you connect with your inner self on a deeper level.
In this module, you’ll:
- Learn how yoga nidra promotes relaxation, reduces stress, addresses emotional blocks, reduces anxiety, and aids in physical recovery
- Explore how the practice supports spiritual development and inner peace, fostering a sense of compassion and love
- Experience new depths of relaxation during a guided yoga nidra immersive practice
- Share your personal experiences and insights (if you’re feeling called) during a group sharing and integration session
Module 6: Hold Sacred Space for Others Where Profound Connections & Transformations Can Unfold (January 7)
Dr. Deerheart will guide you to master the art of holding sacred space, a vital skill as you seek to foster healing and transformation.
You'll be guided through the essential principles and practices to create and sustain environments that nurture deep emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing.
Learn how to harness the power of intention, direct energy with purpose, and maintain a presence that supports and enhances the healing process. Dr. Deerheart will equip you to foster a sense of safety, connection, and peace for yourself and those around you.
In this module, you’ll:
- Gain a deep understanding of what constitutes a sacred space and why it’s essential for emotional, spiritual, and physical healing
- Learn practical tools and techniques to create and maintain sacred spaces, both for personal use and for facilitating healing in others
- Discover how to use intention and energy to shape the atmosphere of a space, fostering environments that support deep connections and transformative experiences
- Develop the ability to maintain a grounded, centered presence, which is key to holding space effectively for yourself and others
- Explore ways to integrate sacred space practices into your daily life and healing work, enhancing your personal growth and the wellbeing of those you support
- Learn how to craft environments that promote safety, peace, and holistic wellbeing, making them conducive to healing and spiritual growth
Module 7: Create Sacred Rituals & Altars to Nurture a Harmonious Relationship With Life & Death (January 14)
In this final class session, you’ll explore the profound practices of creating sacred rituals and altars that honor the delicate balance between life and death.
Engage in a collective practice, gaining firsthand experience in the art of ritual-making as a tool for healing and connection. You'll learn how to craft a personal altar that reflects your unique spiritual journey, serving as a focal point for your rituals.
Additionally, Dr. Deerheart will provide tools and guidance for cultivating a harmonious relationship with the cycles of life and death, empowering you to carry this sacred understanding forward.
This session will conclude with a 30-minute Q&A, offering space for reflection and personalized support as you integrate these practices into your life.
In this closing module, you’ll:
- Gain practical experience in creating and conducting rituals that honor the cycle of life and death, fostering a deeper spiritual connection
- Learn how to design and build a personal altar that reflects your spiritual beliefs and serves as a sacred space for ongoing rituals and reflection
- Review the tools and insights for nurturing a balanced and sacred relationship with the concepts of life and death, enhancing your spiritual growth
- Discover ways to integrate ritual-making and altar-building into your daily life, creating ongoing opportunities for spiritual reflection and connection
- Participate in a 30-minute Q&A session, where you can receive personalized guidance and clarification on the teachings, ensuring you feel confident in applying these practices
- Cultivate the knowledge and skills to use rituals and altars as powerful tools for healing, connection, and spiritual harmony in your life
The Embracing Death, Dying & Beyond Bonus Offering
In addition to Dr. Andrea Deerheart’s transformative 7-week online course, you’ll receive this special bonus offering to complement the course and take your understanding and practice to an even deeper level.
Analysis of Burial Practices Environmental Impact
PDF Guide From Dr. Andrea Deerheart, PhD
This handout provides an in-depth analysis of the environmental impact of various burial practices. It examines traditional methods, such as conventional burial and cremation, and compares them with more sustainable alternatives, like green burials and alkaline hydrolysis (also known as water cremation). You’ll discover the ecological footprint of each practice, considering factors of land use, energy consumption, and pollution. This information is designed to help you make informed decisions about environmentally conscious end-of-life options.
Navigating the End-of-Life Journey - Stories & Strategies for Compassionate Care
Video Dialogue With Dr. Andrea Deerheart, PhD, and Felicity Warner
Join Dr. Andrea Deerheart and Felicity Warner, end-of-life doula, educator, author, and founder of Soul Midwives, for this 41-minute heartfelt conversation. They share their favorite tools and touching stories for supporting those nearing the end of life and their caregivers. With practical ideas and unique insights drawn from their work, this discussion offers valuable guidance for providing compassionate care during this sacred time. Ideal for caregivers, professionals, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of end-of-life support.
What People Are Saying About Dr. Andrea Deerheart...
The content Dr. Deerheart shares in class is invaluable, yet to see her live and make decisions in alignment with her values is perhaps the biggest gift of all. I hate the saying do as I say, not as I do! She proves it is possible to hold to personal ideals. In the end, I am reminded that it is easy to stick to the ideals. The challenge truly comes when one gives into considering compromising one’s ideas in hopes that something good can still come of it. Thank you for that beautiful lesson.
End-of-Life Practitioner and Director of Aging in Place at Laguna Beach Seniors
I express my heartfelt gratitude for the profound impact Dr. Deerheart has had on my life through our support sessions. Her support, kindness, and wisdom have been instrumental in my journey towards healing and personal growth. When I first began working with Dr. Deerheart, I could hardly imagine the impact and progress I would make under her guidance. Her insightful advice and compassionate demeanor have made an immense difference in how I perceive and tackle the challenges I face. She has consistently provided me with invaluable tools that have empowered me to improve my mental health and continue my healing journey. Dr. Deerheart’s ability to listen with empathy and offer thoughtful guidance has helped me grow in ways I never thought possible. She has created a safe and nurturing space where I feel understood and supported, which has been critical for my development. I am incredibly grateful for her dedication and the time she has invested in helping me. Dr. Deerheart’s support has been a cornerstone of my progress, and I cannot thank her enough for all she has done. With the most love from my heart and sincere appreciation.
Meeting Andrea Deerheart was a gift from God. Prior to Andrea, I was stuck in chronic grief and fear of death — my own death, and the death of others. I avoided death like the plague. Andrea taught me that life and death are intimately connected, and thus to live life fully, one must embrace death. I chose to listen. I now live life with far greater joy, depth, and spontaneity. Thank you Andrea, from the bottom of my heart!
Psychiatrist
Join the Global Community
Embracing Death, Dying & Beyond offers some of the most transformational online teachings available, within a thriving global community of learning and practice.
Join fellow students and practitioners to support and inspire each other as you integrate the teachings and practices Dr. Andrea Deerheart will share in this powerful program.
You’ll join an international community on the leading edge of manifesting a world grounded in the principles of cooperation, harmony, and reverence for all of life.
Here’s What You’ll Receive
Seven 90-Minute Class Sessions With Dr. Andrea Deerheart
Experience a unique opportunity to be mentored by and learn from end-of-life practitioner Dr. Andrea Deerheart — from the comfort of your own home. Each class session includes a livestreaming video option and will guide you to nurture a balanced perspective of life and death. Course sessions are on Tuesdays at 5:00pm Pacific.
Seven Video Recordings of Class Sessions
After each class, the video will be available for you to stream in a high-quality format. You’ll never have to worry about missing a session, and you can watch anytime and anywhere at your convenience.
Seven Audio Recordings of Class Sessions
After each class, the audio will be available for you to stream. You’ll never have to worry about missing a session, and you can listen anytime and anywhere at your convenience.
Seven Transcripts of Class Sessions
You’ll also receive the entire class transcription after each session is completed. You can then review, print, and highlight the most important insights and practices you were given.
Seven 30-Minute Interactive Group Practice Sessions
With live class attendance, there will be a 30-minute optional interactive practice session directly following each class. You’ll be placed in an intimate group with several other participants on the Zoom call to interact, share, and do additional practices to help you further integrate the weekly lessons. Practice sessions are not recorded for playback; if you’re unable to attend the live sessions, the Facebook online community group allows you to connect with each other and find alternative times to interact.
Interactive Exercises and Questions for Each Lesson
Between class sessions, you’ll have the option of completing related exercises, practicing new tools, and answering questions to accelerate your learning and integrate each week’s lesson.
Online Community
Our exclusive Facebook online community is the perfect place to continue your discovery process after each class. Here, you can continue the discussion about your course materials and interact with your fellow students to take your exploration to an even deeper level.
An Unprecedented Opportunity to Join the Online Course, Embracing Death, Dying & Beyond
We feel honored that Dr. Andrea Deerheart has chosen to partner with The Shift Network to offer this exclusive LIVE online course. This is a unique opportunity to interact directly with the founder of The HeartWay, whose powerful insights and pioneering work are helping us heal and awaken ourselves and our world.
If you’re serious about releasing your fears around death so you can live more fully, and help others through their end-of-life transitions, then you owe it to yourself, your loved ones, and our world to take this one-of-a-kind program.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your own evolution, click the register button below to reserve your space now.
Your Satisfaction Is 100% Guaranteed!
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! If you don’t absolutely LOVE Embracing Death, Dying & Beyond — or don’t feel that it meets your needs — please submit your refund request form on or before December 3, 2024 and we’ll happily issue qualifying customers a refund.
More Praise for Dr. Andrea Deerheart, PhD
As individuals live longer and age with multiple chronic conditions, open and honest discussion about death and dying is essential in making sure their wishes are known and respected. For 10 years, Dr. Andrea Deerheart’s “Death Café” at our senior center has created a movement that gives people the opportunity to talk about death from whatever perspective they feel is important to them at the moment. They learn the valuable lesson that death should be embraced as a vital part of life, not just the end of it.
Executive Director of Laguna Beach Seniors
Dr. Andrea Deerheart’s compassionate work of caring, supporting, embracing, empowering, and loving those at a critical and vulnerable time is truly unique. I am not aware of any other person and organization with such high standards working in such an honorable, empathetic, and multidisciplinary way. Andrea has dedicated her life for more than 35 years to those at the end of their lives. Her mission is to provide end-of-life care, counseling, education, advocacy, and programs to help ease the challenges that arise with dying and death and the grief that follows. Her work is detailed and comprehensive, addressing crucial topics such as understanding death from all perspectives, traditions, cultures, and religions; end-of-life models, philosophies, environments, dimensions; ethical and legal concerns; the affairs of dying; end-of-life practitioners’ ethics, codes, laws, integrative clinical practices, skill development, advocacy, counseling, self-exploration, and many more pertinent inquiries. I am deeply grateful and honored to work with Andrea and wholeheartedly recommend her services, wisdom, knowledge, and deep healing inspiration.
Medical Oncology and Integrative Oncology Director at San Diego Cancer Research Institute
Dr. Deerheart has shepherded my family through the end of life of multiple loved ones. We found it reassuring to learn practical information and receive trusted resource recommendations as well as respectful support for each family member’s process in dealing with the challenges and grief. She is adept at meeting people where they are, and honoring their ways and wishes. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founding board member of The HeartWay, I am honored that Dr. Deerheart shares her various client experiences and teaching/training endeavors with me. Her sincere care, integrity, and loving nature are ever present. Andrea is deeply heart-centered. She has an embedded embrace of the sacredness of life and death, and a highly connected presence to those she works with, whatever the matter. In addition, Dr. Deerheart has a strong grasp on emerging issues and challenges in the developing field, seeking to optimize the training of her students for emergent changes. The wisdom she has cultivated through life experience and knowledge gained enriches the service she provides. Indeed, Andrea embodies The HeartWay. By any measure, Dr. Andrea Deerheart is a remarkable woman. She will reliably bring conscientious and informed professionalism along with heart-centered presence to her endeavors.
Board Member of The HeartWay
About Dr. Andrea Deerheart, PhD
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Dr. Andrea Deerheart, PhD, ELP, is the passionate founder of The HeartWay, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to embracing life by honoring death. She is the author of Yoga Nidra: Graceful Transitions, Elli's Ride: Death Beyond Imagination, and two textbooks, Principles of End-of-Life Care and Clinical Skills for End-of-Life Practitioners.
Drawing upon wisdom gathered from almost four decades of lovingly guiding the living and dying physically, spiritually, and psychologically, Dr. Deerheart has provided compassionate care, education, counseling, and ministry. She is dedicated to co-creating an expanded visionary map within cultural end-of-life care and education systems, and with the dying and their families.
This visionary map helps individuals navigate the labyrinth of fear, complex medical systems, emotional and spiritual landscapes, and practical end-of-life decisions with profound compassion. Dr. Deerheart also offers diverse programs emphasizing the lessons learned near death for living a more loving and compassionate life. Her heart-centered approach integrates the wisdom of various spiritual and mythological traditions, enriching the journey for her students and clients.
Dr. Deerheart is an end-of-life practitioner, mythologist/depth psychologist, and yoga nidra master teacher. She is a sought-after consultant, educator, writer, and poet, known for her ability to bring profound empathy and understanding to her work. Through her teachings and guidance, she empowers individuals to embrace life fully by understanding and honoring the sacredness of death.
