What you say cuts through the illusions which can be a false path to the truth that our presence with others matters most of all. You have stood up when you could easily have laid it all down. You stand for life. Thank you.

Dearest Rachel, You are such an awesome lady. To help people see life in a different way and to realize what is important is wonderful . I am a Cancer survivor and I am so greatful to be alive I thank God every day for all my blessings and all the wonderful people that are on this planet. I would love to read your books my self, as soon as i can i will purchase them and begin the journey. If you ever come to Las Vegas area we live in Henderson Nv so its nice please let me know ok until then take and cont to be a wonderful breath of fresh air Love and blessings to you and your s Cheyenne at bookilou4you@cox.net

Dear Dr. Remen,

I just finished reading your book today, Wednesday May 27, 2009, after I 1st picked it up 6 days ago. Kitchen Table Wisdom - the 2006 reprint..... and want to tell you that your book, you, have healed me in many ways and of many things. All that were in a complete state of being 'stuck' before, and thoroughly painful, filled with much sorrow. How can 'one', show gradeleteude for such a tremendous "gift"?

I was affirmed, yet again, of my "healing" abilities towards others, but this time, I clearly saw how I, myself, needed healing and how to get about it. And I did, and I have.

'This', of you and yours, is playing now a big part in saving an important relationship I have with 'those' of me and mine, from future destruct.

However, I have this one same question, that has been the root of all my inability to resolve my 'stuck' problems, still un-answered. Thoroughly, "I dont know" the answer. And eventho' I am now 'freed'(read: quite alleviated) from anxiety and sorrowful pain, the 'solutions/answers' are still painfully slow and difficult to come as a whole to me. (as has been the way since before I read your book). I feel sure that that will change for the better, but not by very much.

Hence, I am summing up the courage to ask you this question,...and please do not fear that I expect an answer. I wud be just very grateful if you had one. That is all.

I have long sought a person to whom I felt I cud trust to ask this question, and it is regarding the kind of wisdom needed towards dealing successfully with ....... stupidity. Of others and of mine as well. I know that a lot of grace is needed, but I need to feel that its "okay" to deal with stupidity... or isnt it? How do I/we do it?

Reading this book, only one thing hasnt been resolve in my mind. The part about Judgement. I feel I cant escape judging anything as I continously try to live my life out in true authenticity as best as I can. I dont know how or why to live otherwise. Is there wisdom in making judgements at all or is it all folly to do so? Not judging anything seems a bit reckless and foolhardy when I do it. Maybe there is a middle gorund somewhere. I guess I have still to look for the answers and find them when I find them.

Sorry for asking questions besides giving remarks, doctor!

But many sincerely heartfelt thanks for the other "answers" that healed me in many places and in many ways.

Re

i recently made aliyah with my family - i am a nurse in a wonderful frail care centre - i am such a huge fan of yours- i use your work now as i did in South Africa -to enhance our work and bring joy to people- thank you for your gifts- Naomi

I bought your book KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM in 2000, for no particular reason other than it "asked me to". I have shared it with friends and family in troubled times and in the early hours of this monring, laying awake, needing comfort, as my husband is in the MICU battling complications of SCLERODERMA, I thought of your book. Now is my time to find comfort in your wonderful words and thoughts. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

What an incredible gift I found in My Grandfather's Blessings! A friend gave it to me and I read it as I sat by my father's bed during the last several weeks of his life, as he battled metastatic brain cancer. The wisdom and strength I found through your words and the stories you shared gave me the inner strength to help my father in his struggle. Thank you for YOUR GIFTS to those you bless by your work, and may God continue to bless you.

Am reading Kitchen Table Wisdom and loving it - can't wait to give a copy to my sister, who is a first year medical student. Thank you!

Forget to tell: The book had never been read before I found it! My cousin earned it as a gift, but never read it till today! She's a Pediatric and shares, as well, your ideas.

God bless you a lot!

P. S.: If I have the chance to go there (USA, California), I would love to know you personally!

That's incredible the way I found your book (Kitchen Table Wisdom):
I was trying to do my final course writing in November, 2003, sitting in front of the computer when, for a moment, looking at the bookshelf, figured the book in the middle of hundreds, started to turn the pages and, finally read at the back, in it below, that the subject was "psico-oncology", exactly the one I did my specialization!!!Well, after working for almost three years volunteering in an oncology clinic and attending people at home today, unfortunately I'm out of this "querencia". Psichologist, I work in an emergency hospital as Ombudsman, listening to users and the staff, personally and by research. I do like it but miss a lot that specific kind of work. The same way I used to hear people there, I hear them today: unconditionally. Although we don't know each other personally, I do love you and I'm sure we belong the same spiritual family. I feel it reading you and finding the same thoughts I have about the same things, thoughts that'd led me to psico-oncology when I even kknew that it existed.... Ufa! That's enough! A big hug from me to you! Soraya

Thank you for the very good and important work you do!

Blessings,
Robert Schwartz
author, Your Soul's Plan: Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born

10 years ago my niece brought Kitchen Table Wisdom with her when she came to visit. She was reading it before she began medical school. She had to leave it with me. I shared it with a friend, and then had to buy another copy, and so on. I could only read one chapter at a time, each struck some chord, or more likely touched on some unhealed wound. Eventually, through your book, I was able to connect to some place that helped the healing to continue.
Yesterday I began My Grandfather's Blessings. I do not know how, but your words speak directly to my soul, and fan its light to burn a little brighter.

Thank you.

I come across Kitchen Table Wisdom just recently, borrowed from a friend of mine. Every time I feel something strange in this 'twitter world', technology-based, I open a chapter of your book to meet humanity. I feel like caring this book with me and openning a page everytime I lost connection with humankind.

I so enjoy your book "My Grandfather's Blessings." I am grateful for your writing. I travel frequently and would love to carry your book with me on all of my travels. Please, please, please publish the book in the Kindle format (from Amazon). That will enable me and your other readers to carry your words with us wherever we may roam. Thank you!

I came across "In the Service of Life" about 8 years ago, and rediscovered it today while going through a folder of articles that had touched me after a life changing encounter with God that saved my life. I will never be the same. Your article helped me understand my desire to serve not only God, but others, and allowed be to embrace the joy I received from our Father in Heaven.
Today I read "Pray Without Ceasing" and am equally moved, and will share your teaching with others. There is so much truth in your words - you truly have a gift that allows the Spirit to move through you and into others. Thank you for serving not only my wholeness, but the wholeness of humankind.
May God's Peace and Blessings rain upon you.

I have not (yet!) read any of your work; I came upon a short excerpt while looking for ways to help people understand, at his funeral, what made my father the fascinating, maddening and deeply connected man he was.

And then I found: “Even the Lamed-Vovniks themselves do not know for sure the role they have in the continuation of the world, and no one else knows it either. They respond to suffering, not in order to save the world but simply because the suffering of others touches them and matters to them.”

My father would certainly describe himself not as a "Just Man," but as "just a man," because he believed the quality you described can be called from all of us by cirdeletestances, as his was first by his service in 1945 as a liberator of concentration camps, and then as commander of a DP camp in Landsberg for the survivors, and later as a friend and advisor not only to the survivors, but to German youth in Landsberg struggling to understand how this can all have happened.

Your words have helped me understand him even better, and I thank you.

I received Kitchen Table Wisdom from a dear friend and mentor. It has been a year of losses for me and my heart aches. Your book touched me so deeply, each morning I look forward to another story. I am healing and feel myself growing stronger. Thank you for your gift to us.

Dear Rachel,

We just finished reading "My Grandfather's Blessings." Our 17 year old Colorado granddaughter, Emmy, gave us your lovely book for Christmas. Thank you so very much for sharing such a wealth of wisdom in this very personable and readable way. During our 54 years of marriage we've developed the pattern of reading outloud. In so many of your jewels you separate as chapters, your "punch line" jars the emotions when the reader realizes what's ahead. It's a good thing the tissue box was nearby!

As folks in our mid seventies who've spent our lives in service mainly through caring ministries with the Protestant Church first in Hong Kong during the 60's when refugees poured across the border and then in many places in the States through pastorates, we appreciate the wide scope of your understanding through your own path of service. We lived in the San Francisco area just 15 years ago, Alvin an adjunct professor at the San Francisco Presbyterian Seminary and also at the GTU. During that time we became acquainted with Tibetan Buddhism through Barbara's "boss", Barr Rosenberg who has a retreat in Marin County. As we shared our lives with many unique people, we felt so very blessed to be able to do so without reserve and prejudice.

And, just the last two years here in Texas after Barbara was diagnosed with first stage breast cancer, we've met the most wonderful people - those who care so well for the patients, and those who bear the "burden" of illness with serenity and dignity - and many, yes, with joy!

THANK YOU, Rachel, for WHO you are - and for the care and friendship you've given to so many through all these years. Keep writing for the rest of us!

In God's even greater love, perhaps the greatest Mystery of all, Alvin and Barbara

Hello Rachel,

Do you know of any medical schools in the US that offer curriculum focused on utilizing meditation, relaxation, and yoga for the treatment of health problems?

I will be applying to medical soon and in preparation for applying, I am researching which medical schools' philosophies resonate with my passions and interests. In doing so, I have learned about your work and insight into considering patients' hearts, minds, and bodies.

Thank you for your time.

Best,

David Sholtes

Dear Rachel,

Just found a list of "rules" I learned from you.

1) Show up
2) Pay attention
3) Be honest
4) Don't get attached to the results

Thinking of you with much love and hoping all is wonderful and well in your world!

Cheers,
Taylor
Former ISHI Program Associate

Dear Dr. Remen,

Thank you for sharing your wisdom. You are a role model for those who wish to inspire others, and I hold your work in the highest regard.

Linda Rachel,
Former Director of Programming for Wisdom Media

Bless you Dr. Remen!

Your work has been helpful and inspiring to me for years. Just now
discovered your website.
Also want to thank you for calling a deceased friend of mine (Rev. Joe Willis) about 6 years ago upon the request of his daughter. Your work
was cited at his memorial service and KitchenTable meant alot to him.

warm regards,

Rene

Dear Dr. Remen, thank you for empowering me to live life to the full!
I hope and pray that we will meet one day.
Kind regards.

Hello Rachel, What a wonderful friend your grandfather was to you, giving you the seed of courage to go against so many conventions! What timing and blessing your words have been to me! Your wisdom carries right across the world! Thanks and God bless you!

Hi, Dr Remen. I am a physician interested in learning more about spirituality and healing. I plan on attending the workshop in Oct. Are there other workshops/readings or resources you would recommend as well?

Looking forward to meeting you. Thank you.

After 3 difficult years ,(a lost rebellious son, a daughter giving a baby up for adoption, feeling like I failed in my most important role), I thought I knew what grief was, until 3 months ago, my husband had an accident which has left him paralyzed from the waist down. The grief at times has felt like a heavy leaded blanket over my heart...Your stories are balm to my wounded soul. The power of love and truth in your book is helping to restore my hope that living will again feel worth it. I am a passionate Christ follower, and yet I feel a sweet kinship with you, and I believe it comes from the God revealed in you. You are a bright, warm light. Bless you, and thank you