A review by paulmslima
How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers by Toni Bernhard, Sylvia Boorstein

3.0

This was a book I wish I didn't feel I had to read... But I'm sure the author wishes she did not feel the need to write it. Basically, for the chronically sick (I have MS and currently suffer from constant headaches and a couple of other things; the author suffers from rather debilitating chronic fatigue syndrome*) this book is a useful attitude adjuster. As I feel, you can be ill and miserable or you can be ill and try your best to keep your attitude as positive as possible. This book gives you a number of Buddhist and Zen techniques to help you stay positive and fight off the blues (adjust your attitude when need be). Will you use every technique in the book? Most likely not. But if you, like me, pick up one or two approaches to help you stay upbeat in the face of adversity, then it's well worth the read. And the author's story, although sad and painful, is part of the book and an interesting read in itself.


(* But I am able to walk my dog every day, sometimes twice a day; at least she was able to write this book!)