Listen free for 30 days

  • Finding Meaning

  • The Sixth Stage of Grief
  • Written by: David Kessler
  • Narrated by: David Kessler
  • Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (44 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Finding Meaning cover art

Finding Meaning

Written by: David Kessler
Narrated by: David Kessler
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $23.67

Buy Now for $23.67

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

In this groundbreaking and “poignant” (Los Angeles Times) book, David Kessler — praised for his work by Maria Shriver, Marianne Williamson, and Mother Teresa — journeys beyond the classic five stages to discover a sixth stage: meaning. 

In 1969, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross first identified the stages of dying in her transformative book On Death and Dying. Decades later, she and David Kessler wrote the classic On Grief and Grieving, introducing the stages of grief with the same transformative pragmatism and compassion. Now, based on hard-earned personal experiences, as well as knowledge and wisdom gained through decades of work with the grieving, Kessler introduces a critical sixth stage: meaning.

Kessler’s insight is both professional and intensely personal. His journey with grief began when, as a child, he witnessed a mass shooting at the same time his mother was dying. For most of his life, Kessler taught physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about end of life, trauma, and grief, as well as leading talks and retreats for those experiencing grief. Despite his knowledge, his life was upended by the sudden death of his 21-year-old son.

How does the grief expert handle such a tragic loss? He knew he had to find a way through this unexpected, devastating loss, a way that would honor his son. That, ultimately, was the sixth stage of grief - meaning. In Finding Meaning, Kessler shares the insights, collective wisdom, and powerful tools that will help those experiencing loss.

“Beautiful, tender, and wise” (Katy Butler, author of The Art of Dying Well), Finding Meaning is “an excellent addition to grief literature that helps pave the way for steps toward healing” (School Library Journal). 

©2019 David Kessler (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

What listeners say about Finding Meaning

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    38
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    25
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    28
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible

This book is one of the best/most helpful books I have read in my life. I am so thankful to have listened to it as an audiobook, David’s voice spoke to my heart. I’m not one to usually leave a review, but this book is absolutely essential... and if it doesn’t “land” for you, wait. Give your grief more time and try again after several months. I plan to listen to it again. Thank you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Horribly written

Hated this book. Can’t listen anymore. I don’t want to hear about the author. Less about him and what he’s done. Offered no direction or tools

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Kindness of the Author

Such a great book. As a therapist grief can be such a difficult time for clients and so important that those of us in the helping field - know how to help! I’m looking forward to taking one of your certification courses on grief! Thank you for writing this book! Kate

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

I cried so often as I heard David’s words of wisdom. He treats grief with a tenderness and understanding that gives one hope, despite loss. An excellent book for anyone going through grief.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This book was time well spent.

This was the first book I’ve read by David Kessler and now I realize he is a very gifted specialist on grief. I took a lot from the numerous anonymous stories of grieving people, and Kessler’s personal story. Those make the book so relatable and powerful. I’m sure that I’ll read it again. I’m grateful for this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Too powerful

You know he knows what he is talking about, because you can feel it in his voice and words. Thoughtful and powerful. Thank you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Meaningful, well worth the time and attention, great delivery

The author is truly an expert on the subject of grief and his delivery of the material is absolutely perfect. He also covers important topics like addiction, mental illness, and suicide, which really helps to round out the subject. This review was written by the Amazon member’s spouse.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

I can only hear it through one side of headphone

the content of the book is very helpful, if you can tolerate the sound coming out of one side of the headphone... I have so many audiobooks, this issue happen with this book only.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must read if you lost someone

This is a great book! I listened twice and may again ....I found it very helpful!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully written and read!

David Kessler's book is so beautifully written and spoken, full of wisdom and love. While it brought me to tears over and over, it also opened my heart and mind. It speaks to anyone who has had a loss, including the loss of a beloved pet, and offers them a roadmap through the ever so challenging terrain they are walking. I have just sent a copy of the book to a friend who lost his wife and is still suffering. I feel confident that this will serve him well. Thank you David for all you shared here. Your words travel deep as does your compassion and love.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!