Healing Lazarus: A Buddhist's Journey from Near Death to New Life

by Lewis Richmond

For Lewis Richmond, overcoming a swift and devastating brain disease was only the beginning of an intense, protracted journey of recovery. But the Buddhist teachings that sustained him throughout his adult life would prove essential in guiding him back to wellness -- and toward rebirth and transformation.
In Healing Lazarus, Richmond shares the lessons he learned and the wisdom he won in sickness and in health. His words of love, hope, and courage are as inspiring as they are true. Illuminating from the first page to the last, Richmond's memoir is an affirmation -- and a celebration -- of life, and a testament to the human spirit.

Genres: Buddhism

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

I am the author of five books, mostly on Buddhist themes related to the workplace, illness, a nd (more recently) aging. In addition to a career as a Buddhist teacher (now retired), I have been a software entrepreneur, musician and composer.

My latest book EVERY BREATH, NEW CHANCES: HOW TO AGE WITH HONOR AND DIGNITIY--A GUIDE FOR MEN is due for release Nov. 2020. Although as the title implies the book is oriented to men's aging issues, women should find a lot of interest in it; I hope they will buy it, read it, and give it to the man in their life!

Reviews

[Saiisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe my expectations were too high, or too different, this book didn't satisfy them. There was more descriptions about the day to day process of recovery rather than spiritual reflections along the way (which may be what I had expected the book to be about.)

I thought the parallels with Lazarus's raising within each chapter were interesting; and I appreciated the Buddhist stories and teachings along the way, but they were few and far between.

[Kevin Orth · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderfully, unvarnished depiction of a descent into the deepest of crevasses the journey forward to wholeness. Precisely not the journey back to wholeness. the person who ended up on the other side of this experience is forever changed. we all have our trials and tribulations. When and/or if we get through them, we are never the same. even when we do not have trauma we are never the same when we experience something new and different. Our challenges are what make us who we are. They can either plow us under or make us stronger. We do not always have a choice in what life throws at us. We do have a chose in how we respond/react and a choice to get to the other side whole as a different person than we were when we entered the storm. Highly recommend.

[Liaithín · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the beginning of the book to the page I'm reading now it is a marvelous read. Mr. Richmond seems to have a great deal of respect to both his family/friends and to his religion. His story begins like any other unfortunate tale of an unsuspecting illness; where he is happily living his life at a job and supporting his family. Until one day he falls ill and that illness seems to progress into something worse. He tells of his days of having cancer and compares his thoughts/feelings during that period with the way he deals with his new illness, viral encephalitis. All through this book he talks about his Buddhist ways and tells stories from Buddhist religion that corresponds with what he his feeling and how the tales should help him cope with what has happened to him. I view Mr.Richmond's reactions at times to be irrational due to his illness and the reaction to the antidepressants (that happens during the chapters I have been reading). Though what Mr. Richmond has gone through was dreadful, I would like to recognize the devotion of his beloved wife Amy, who stood by him at every interval. This also includes his son, doctors, and friends.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am I the only one that was bothered by the omission of his WIFE in the acknowledgements section at the start of the book. I understand that he credits his wife for helping him heal, yet he never thanks her which I find odd. I enjoyed his writing because it walked a thin line between self pity, narcissism and important reflection. I still do not understand his lack of compassion for his wife. He talks about it and yet never expresses it to my satisfaction. His wife was unbelievably understanding and available, yet she receives no accolades in his acknowledgements?

Merged review:

Am I the only one that was bothered by the omission of his WIFE in the acknowledgements section at the start of the book. I understand that he credits his wife for helping him heal, yet he never thanks her which I find odd. I enjoyed his writing because it walked a thin line between self pity, narcissism and important reflection. I still do not understand his lack of compassion for his wife. He talks about it and yet never expresses it to my satisfaction. His wife was unbelievably understanding and available, yet she receives no accolades in his acknowledgements?

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lewis Richmond writes about his battle with viral encephalitis, the physical and psychological effects of the illness, and his painfully slow recovery. The author had previously overcome a bout with cancer, which he touches on throughout the book and compares and contrasts his coping skills. The book isn't overly spiritual, although since Richmond is a Buddhist teacher, he writes of Buddhist philosophies that were useful for him during his recovery. I found his reflections on his psychological health during his recovery quite illuminating. I would recommend this book to caregivers and anyone who is suffering from a catastrophic illness.

[Herta Feely · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was curious how a former Zen Buddhist monk would deal with a debilitating illness like the one that Lewis Richmond had...it's quite a journey and he makes himself quite human. At times, I began to get annoyed with his complaints, even though his circumstances must have been awful...still, I had hoped he would deal with it in a more "enlightened" way. In the end, Lewis and his readers discover he's only human and we empathize with his humanly plight.

[Mary Mski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very relevant contemplation of rebuilding a life and mind after a profound disruption to routine, in this case a tragic illness, touches on Buddhism and considers possible limitations of belief and western medicine

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are interested in Buddism, you will probably find this book a good read.

[Gunnar Stumm]

Great insight into a meditative mind that cannot meditate anymore because of meningitis.

[Craig Bergland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has been, will be, or knows or may know in the future someone who is seriously ill (and that would be all of us many times over) needs to read this book.