How to Be Sick (Second Edition)

A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers

By: Toni Bernhard

Narrated by: Deon Vozov

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

A brand-new edition of the best-selling classic with added and updated practices.

In 2001, Toni Bernhard got sick and, to her and her partner’s bewilderment, stayed that way. As they faced the confusion, frustration, and despair of a life with sudden limitations - a life that was vastly different from the one they’d thought they’d have together - Toni had to learn how to be sick. 

In spite of her many physical and energetic restrictions (and sometimes, because of them), Toni learned how to live a life of equanimity, compassion, and joy. This audiobook reminds us that our own inner freedom is limitless, regardless of our external circumstances.

Updated with new insights and practices hard-won from Toni’s own ongoing life experience, this is a must-hear for anyone who is - or who might one day be - sick or in pain.

©2018 Toni Bernhard (P)2018 Wisdom Publications

Essential read for anyone sick/in pain

...and quite a good general introduction to Buddhist thought as well. Tons of helpful practices and practical advice to help people living with sickness/pain deal with just about every aspect of chronic illness you can imagine. I honestly feel like I could work with the material in this book (and Bernhard's two other titles) for the rest of my life.

Besides the practices/advice, perhaps the greatest blessing this book has to offer is its convincing reassurances that 1) you're truly not alone in your suffering and 2) despite what our culture says, being sick/in pain doesn't mean you did something wrong; you're just sick/in pain. What a relief that somebody finally told the truth about this.

Deon Vozov is the perfect narrator for this material (with the exception of her occasional use of accents for quotes), and this greatly enhances both the effectiveness and enjoyment of this audio title. If I didn't know better, I'd assume Vozov was the author, her performance is so spot-on; she really seems to "get" what she's reading, and so the listener does too.

PS -- Be sure to check out the Audible listing for the first edition of this book (there are a lot more reviews, many of them better than my scattershot attempt), but make sure to purchase this version, the second edition, as there have been substantial updates/revisions to the text.

Beautifully supportive, especially on the hard days

As a chronic illness warrior myself, I deeply appreciated the story, recommended strategies, and authentic voice in this book. The audio narration was superb - easy to follow, gentle and peaceful, and felt like a natural conversational style.

Not sick... yet.

At the moment I don't have an illness such as the ones described in this wonderful audiobook, but I know that it's a matter of time before I will. When the time comes, and it's inevitable, when I will have some sort of illness with constant pain, I will have the techniques to either overcome or to accept the difficulties. For this I admire the author for her writing this book. Thank you. : )

Good book, annoyed by narrator

This book was thought provoking. Insights were helpful for mind and body.

The only problem I had with the book was the narrator. She talks in a whispery breathy voice that adds a feeling tone to the material that doesn’t belong there.

excellent book for accepting chronic illness

loved this book as has many tools for coping with acceptance of illness, interacting with others regarding your chronic illness and finding inner peace by letting go

My First Audio Book Read!

I have a chronic illness that has made it nearly impossible to read. This book sat in my Amazon cart for YEARS! I finally got Audible, and this was the first book I purchased. I finished it within a week. I love the way the narrator was able to speak in the perfect tone and speed for the content (Buddhism practices for chronically ill.)

Many excellent tips for those with chronic illness

Narrator breathy and annoying but is fine for this book.
Author an extremely interesting and brilliant woman suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
She has been Bedridden for many years and she along with her long-suffering husband Tony have learned to cope.
Toni the Author is self-absorbed but her teaching of Buddhist precepts with examples in everyday life are priceless gems.
Parts of this were outstanding and i recommend this book as valuable for people who are aging or facing health challenges with no cure.
i have purchased a paper copy so that i can revisit the parts i find most relevant to me and my family and patients.

Great book for Chronic Pain Sufferers

This book is a fantastic for those with chronic pain needing a gentle peep talk with those who understands.

Just what I needed to listen to!!!

A very inspirational and engaging book to read. Really helped me dealing with my pain.

Great teachings for everyone

Specific, useful buddhist practices for addressing emotional or physical challenges. I highly recommend this book.

The relevance of Buddhism to chronic illness

I have been practising ‘western’ mindfulness mediation (using the popular apps) for the three years that I have been suffering from acute chronic pain (following disastrous spinal surgery and a 12 hour emergency follow up operation). It made no difference to my pain, though perhaps helped in other ways. This book places mindfulness and other techniques / approaches in the context of the teachings of the Buddha, and in doing so it all starts to make sense.
It is a shame that Toni became chronically ill, but in doing so she has given back to the world even more than she would have ever done as a professor of law. Her bad luck became our good luck.