David Kessler's experience with thousands of people on the edge of life and death has taught him the secrets to living a happy and fulfilled life, even after life's tragedies.
Why you should listen
David Kessler is the author of six books, including the new bestselling book Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. He coauthored two books with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, updating her five stages for grief. He also cowrote You Can Heal Your Heart with Louise Hay. His first book, The Needs of The Dying, received praise from Saint (Mother) Teresa.
Kessler's personal experience as a child witnessing a mass shooting while his mother was dying in a hospital helped him begin his journey. For most of his life, he has taught physicians, nurses, counselors, police and first responders about the end of life, trauma and grief. He facilitates talks, workshops and retreats for those experiencing grief. However, despite his vast knowledge on grief, his life was turned upside down by the sudden death of his 21-year-old son. It inspired him to write his newest and most personal book, Finding Meaning. He's the founder of grief.com, which has more than five million visits yearly from 167 countries.
David Kessler’s TED Talk
David Kessler, Cloe Shasha Brooks
How to find meaning after loss
12 minutes 56 secondsYou may be familiar with the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. After decades of research and his own experience with tragic loss, grief expert David Kessler ventured beyond that classic framework and sought a sixth, crucial stage: meaning. He shares practical wisdom and strategies for anyone seeking to honor a loved one's memory and move through life in light of personal loss. (This conversation, hosted by TED curator Cloe Shasha Brooks, is part of TED's "How to Deal with Difficult Feelings" series.)Posted Jun 2021
