Acupressure for Death & Dying

Creating a Spiritual Sacred Passage

This article introduces you to a unique view of death and dying in a positive light — as a sacred passage into a peaceful, divine place. Michael's father, who died at age 97, had earlier said to him: “When I die, I’ll be OK. It’s just like going into another room…”

Acupressure Points

Included are some Acupressure points that help to nurture emotions, calm anxiety, relieve depression, and balance grief. These quite possibly are some of the most important Acupressure points that you will ever learn.

Healing Resources

At the bottom of this page are two healing resources for you to explore. One is a powerful video program on Death and Dying called Dying Into Love. It features Ram Dass and other leaders who have been helping those in transition, and especially those who are caregivers for the dying. The other is a book, audio, and videos, Graceful Passages: A Companion for Living and Dying.

Fear of Losing a Loved One

Acupressure points and slow, deep breathing can help you transcend the fear of your loved one’s death and make it a sacred passage. The Sea of Tranquility point (CV 17), can be used for yourself during the process of your loved one’s dying. You can also use it after the person dies to calm your spirit, nurture your body while grieving, and enable you to keep your heart open.

Acupressure for Emotional Balance

Self-Healing Point to Use During Hospice

Hold CV 17, at the center of your breastbone, known as the Sea of Tranquility point. With your spine straight, focus on breathing slowly and deeply into this emotional healing and balancing point, to nurture your heart. Using this Acupressure point in a hospice environment can clear and transform negative emotions and feelings of being overwhelmed. The Sea of Tranquility will deepen your breathing and soothe your heart.

Point Location

CV 17 is in the middle of your breastbone, in the center of your chest. Use your fingertips to slowly rub up and down to feel for a dip in the bone. On a man, it’s found between the nipples.

Gently holding CV 17 with your fingertips is something you can practice throughout the day, for a few minutes at a time. This will encourage you to breathe deeply as you feel the touch over your heart. It will help calm the anxiety and stress in your life.

For the Dying Person

For your loved one, it's suggested to gently hold the inside of the wrist, to cover Acupressure points L7, L8, and L9. These are located below the pad of the thumb on both sides. This will enable you to feel the life force of the radial artery and connect with the person you are caring for. Focus on being in the present moment, and remind yourself to breathe deeply and slowly.

Death & Dying — Healing Resources

Dying Into Love Video Series

This is a series of videos from three intimate workshops, addressing all aspects of dying. It’s an important program from four leaders in the field — Ram Dass, Joan Halifax, Bodhi Be, and Dale Borglum. The Dying Into Love program helps both those in transition and those who are caregivers to people who are dying. It has 42 videos in 10-40 minute segments, totaling 18 hours of video. To learn more, you can sign up for three free videos: www.dyingintolove.com.

Graceful Passages: A Companion for Living & Dying*

This program offers wisdom and guidance from a number of profound elder teachers. You’ll find many perspectives and faith traditions, including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Native American, and Buddhist. The spoken words and the beautiful healing music are designed to reduce the anxiety of life transitions for supporting family members, patients, and caregivers. This creates a spiritual experience for honoring the dying process.

*Originally a small hardcover book with 2 CDs, it’s now available as a digital download: Inner Harmony — Graceful Passages. If you do a search for Graceful Passages, you can still find the hardcover book with CDs. You can also find the words and music combined with healing video imagery on YouTube.