I believe that death still remains as one of society’s greatest taboos. And I am a greater believer in the necessity to address, talk about and face this inevitability.
In 2008, my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given six months to live. Although the rest of my family were in denial, I chose to take responsbility by caring for my father as well as making the last 6 months the most comfortable for his passing. And that included getting answers from his political hero, Viscount Stansgate, otherwise known as Tony Benn.
Although they never met in person, Dad admired Tony’s rebellious acumen to challenge norms, his moral stance, oratory skills, and respect for human beings.
I was lucky to first meet Tony in 1996 (whilst Chesterfield’s MP) at his lecture about spirituality’s place in politics. We clicked and would reconnect 12 years later when I contacted him to ask a favour. Explaining my Dad’s prognosis, I said I wanted to give him a parting gift – the Benn answers he always wanted. Seven days later, I found myself sitting in Tony’s basement office in his Notting Hill home, with camcorder rolling and questions on table.
We talked about dying, death and the big questions about why we are on this earth….
Dad saw his parting-gift film on the last night he was conscious. That’s when I saw his eyes twinkle and cry simultaneously, knowing it worked.
Praxis Tony Benn interview clip 1: Grief, loss and death prep
Praxis Tony Benn interview clip 2: Moral Reflections
Interview 3: Tony Benn reflecting on human relations and reliquishing his title
PRAXIS THERAPY 