In this book, people who are interested in preparing themselves for dying or accompanying others in dying receive inspirations for a practice of life and death. Religious scientist and Zen and Yoga teacher Michael von Brück combines his own experiences in hospice practice and meditation with the modern scientific findings of palliative medicine and social psychology.

The book revives the ancient culture of the art of dying (ars moriendi) as the art of living (ars vivendi). We will all die, and preparing for it does not have to produce any sad unwillingness to live. On the contrary, a conscious handling of one's own finiteness can increase the quality of life, deepen the joy of the present and shape our minds in such a way that we will die - hopefully - in peace.