Confronting Fear and Anxiety at the End of Life

ZING Admin • May 8, 2024

One of the most potent fears humans grapple with is the fear of death. In my work as an end-of-life doula and as a yoga teacher, I’ve found that addressing this fear is vital for people who are nearing the end of life or have had experiences that bring them face-to-face with their mortality.

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This juncture is where the philosophies of yoga and Vedanta offer valuable insights. Vedanta, a school of thought rooted in ancient Indian wisdom, provides an enlightening perspective on the nature of existence through a prayer known as “Asato Ma Sadgamaya.” This prayer serves as an invocation to lead us from untruth to truth, from darkness to light, and from mortality to immortality. The mantra encapsulates the journey from ignorance to knowledge and from the limitations and fears bound to our physical existence to a state of eternal, undying peace.


Why Address Fear Now?


The reason to face this existential dread sooner rather than later is simple: The more we understand our true, eternal nature, the less we fear the inevitable transition that we all must undergo.


Practices for Understanding the Self


In my yoga classes and one-on-one sessions, I often integrate specific yogic practices that help answer the perennial question, “Who am I?” Vedantic wisdom, especially the “Asato Ma Sadgamaya” prayer, often serves as the philosophical underpinning of these practices. By guiding us away from the transience of bodily existence and towards the immortal Self, these practices help mitigate fear and anxiety, not just at the end of life but throughout it.


Experience Joy Through Discovery


The intersection of yoga and my end-of-life doula work lies precisely in helping you explore these questions. The goal is not merely to find an intellectual answer but to experience the profound joy that comes from this level of self-discovery. When you can transcend your ego and identify with the eternal, immortal essence of who you are, existential fears, including the fear of death, begin to diminish.


The Ego and The Self


One of the main obstacles in attaining a sense of peace is our identification with the ego—the constructed self filled with roles, expectations, and fears. By detaching from the ego, even momentarily, we make room for a deeper understanding of our true Self. Yoga offers various ways to make this shift, from physical postures to breathing techniques, to deep meditation.


Practice Offering: Self-Inquiry Meditation


  1. Find a quiet, comfortable space to sit or lie down.
  2. Close your eyes and take several deep breaths to center yourself.
  3. Begin to ask yourself, “Who am I?” without seeking an intellectual answer.
  4. When thoughts or labels arise, acknowledge them, and then let them go.
  5. Continue this practice for 5-10 minutes, always returning to the question.

The objective is not to arrive at an answer but to deepen the questioning, peeling away the layers of identity until a sense of inner peace is attained.


If you’re interested in deepening your practice and understanding of these concepts, I encourage you to book a session with me. Together, we can explore the depths of your true Self, address your fears, and find a greater sense of peace and joy.

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