How to Be Sick Publisher: Wisdom Publications Paperback – January 1, 2010

I suffer from late stage chronic Lymes disease. Like the author I have a disease that is not understood, often dismissed cruelly by doctors, and leads to a life of isolation.I am not a religious person so the oft heard words of "just give it up to God" just did not resonate with me. I needed a different paradigm.Toni Bernhardt supplied that. Her writing is clear and offers many different ways to approach coping with any chronic illness. She readily admits that "following her own advice" often takes years and still she falters. She comes across as so very human. She doesn't make you feel you have to "reach the zen state" after one try.I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is chronically ill (and their caregiver) . It is full of ways to treat yourself with love and ways to help others understand the uncertain futility of the chronic illness you carry with you every day.5 stars. No question of it for me.

A book to give you tools to work with, and you do need to do the work. And it's worth it. I thank her for writing, and publishing this book, it must have taken much personal strength The writing isn't fabulous, just down to earth and from the heart and experience. I found it very helpful, especially the recap at the end. I have not studied Buddhism, I may pursue more studies, as this has produced such peace of mind

Wonderful book! I am about halfway through the book now, and I love every page. I feel uplited by the authors words and ideas. I am not a Buddhist myself, but she writes in such a way that one doesn't have to be to feel inspiration from her words, and to be able to apply the wisdom to their daily lives. The ideas she gives for living with a chronic illness have inspired me so much. I feel so positive from what I have read so far! I can't seem to put the book down. I can't wait to read more and to finish it. I have even blabbed about the book to my husband almost non-stop, because I'm so excited by what I have read. I just love this book! I think she writes in such a way that things are easy to understand and apply for anyone. I found the book because I read and article online that was by the author and found out she wrote books as well. I loved the article so I thought I would try reading a book by her as well, and I'm so glad I did. 5 Stars!

I am not dealing with chronic illness, as so many friends are, but as you get older, many issues seem no longer capable of resolution and you must come to terms with them. This book was excellent for that. The central premise is very Buddhist--that circumstances are simply unadorned events, and while they may objectively result in suffering in anyone's experience, we make the suffering much worse by layering them with perceptions, feelings and expectations. The author provides strategies for not only seeing events as unadorned circumstances but also for finding the blessings in unpromising circumstances. This is not a Polyanna book. The author does not gloss over the horrendous suffering that bad circumstances bring, but she takes a clear eyed approach that says, the suffering is real but it does not need to be more than it naturally is. Her former life as a law professor informs the spare, clean prose. She lays out her case methodically but with great wisdom and clarity, even joy, in having found her path through the enormous boulders that fate has flung at her. Highly recommended for everyone. Don't wait for an awful circumstance, such as chronic illness, to read it.

I liked the book. The teachings are relevant and seem to be helpful (though I have not tried them yet). Whilst I appreciate Ms. Bernhard's writing per her own experience, I felt it would have been more relevant to many of us if there were more explicit examples and in-depth discussion on cases where we do not enjoy what she does. Many of us do not have health insurance, are in dire financial straits due to inability to work, and/or do not have caregivers such as her Tony nor a supportive family. Frankly, I found it really hard to figure out "what is in my bowl" toward the end of the book.

Toni Berhard's book, "How to be Sick..." has been the one faithful support and guide during this time of serious injury and slow recovery. I believe it would be of benefit to anyone, whether acutely or chronically sick or caregiving, in that we are all in those experiences in some way at some time in our lives. Her generous sharing and candor about her own sudden and ongoing illness, and the varied emotional, physical and spiritual reactions provided me with comfort. I am also a human who is suffering, surprised and dismayed in various ways because of the body's infirmity. The practices offered in such clear detail powerfully remind me there are resources within me and ones I may cultivate to bear and live this life i've been given. As a serious student of the Dharma and mindfulness practitioner, I find the guidance and wisdom of the Dharma to be a true reliable friend. I had gotten lost for a while, feeling overwhelmed by the gravity of my injury and the body's reactions to it. I send much gratitude to Toni Bernhard for writing her story and dharma-filled perspective; for me it's been a major saving grace. Nancy Riemer

As someone living with undiagnosed (until recently) health issues for 27 years, I found this book to be very illuminating and normalizing. I did not give it a 5 star only because I felt it lacked the full picture. I wish she had or her husband had given his perspective and how he navigated being the partner of someone whose life was so radically changed due to chronic illness. Even though it was evident he practiced mindfulness, Buddhist meditation, still it would been enlightening to here it from his side. My husband read it and we both agree it is a book that needs to be re-read with taking notes so one could remember the practices. Over all, I would highly recommend this book.

Very helpful. I found the ‘drop it’ suggestion fabulous. This has changed my daily life living with CFS. I highly recommend reading this book. I will refer to it often. All the best everyone.

I haven't managed to finish reading this book. Toni Bernhard explains to us how she fell sick during a trip to Paris but doesn't offer any suggestion as to what the causes may have triggered this ailment. Still, she offers (apparently) some keys in a second book, which I refuse tuo buy. I highly recommend reading The mindbody prescription by Dr Sarno, THE cure book.

One of first books I have ever read that made me feel understood as a person with chronic illness but also offer great strategies. I'm interested in Buddhism but you don't have to be to get benefit.Cant wait for new book

Best book I ever read on chronic illness

I think this is an excellent overview of buddhist practices and how they can help people who are chronically ill and anyone else! I agree tho that if you are not interested in the buddhist ideas this is probably not for you. HOWever, I feel that many of these would be useful for most people if they could not worry about the 'buddhism' bit!