Click here and scroll down the page for a review from the December 2006 issue of Presence, journal of Spiritual Directors International.

I have searched through many books to use as a text for my Death & Dying, Life & Living class. I sought to go beyond dry, sterile, pedantic and information crammed books which were ultimately fear based. I chose The Last Adventure of Life because it is reader friendly, alive, a resource and repository of hope, kindness, and love.
--John Petellat, Psychology Instructor, Daytona Beach College, Florida

Your book has given me a whole different perspective in approaching those near the end of life in relation to their spiritual beliefs. Meeting them right where they are without judgment. I think there needs to be more of this approach with those who are not near the end of life as well. ... I have a much more relaxed feel about the whole thing now. I too am Christian and not willing to give up my beliefs but I think your sensitive approach has refined mine. Thanks.
-- Shirley Powell, Wellness Consultant/Massage Therapist

Reading small passages of your life-giving book has been truly wonderful. It transcends the usual books on spirituality, bringing together the integrity of spirit, body, joy, and discovery. I find your writing to be a grounding force that invites the reader to view new perspectives of the divine.
-- Cindy Beagle, Hospice RN

I bought one of your books at the MHTP conference, not knowing I would need to use it so soon. I am a home health pediatric nurse. I have been caring for a sweet little girl for over 7 years. She died Thur 6/26/08, and it is so painful I cannot think. But I can cry and read your book. I spent some time with it last eve and will do so again. The prayers, the guidelines for how to take care of myself during this grieving period are very helpful. Right now I seem to be hanging onto the ones that say something like; don't be afraid to talk about the person, and talk a lot, to anyone who will listen, and don't be bashful about crying, tears cleanse the soul. So, thank you very much.
-- Judy Schaefer, RN, CMP

I simply want to let you know how important your book has been to many of our staff members, volunteers and patients. We have had several patients in just the last few months who have borrowed this book from staff and it has had a monumental effect on their sense of well-being. For one patient and a patient's spouse, in particular, it allowed them access to resources and support they needed to receive in a less direct way than a spiritual care or social work visit, though we were also providing this. The format seems to really work for people experiencing deep grief and short focus time, who long to hear personal narratives as well as generally inspirational viewpoints of loss and dying. Everytime I show this book to someone, they seem to just gravitate to it and want to start reading! So, thank you for this wonderful gift to the world!
-- Rev. Laurie Adams, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Hospice of Contra Costa

This book bridges the gap between life & death. It's the metaphysical bible for hospice; read it and take a quantum leap!
-- Trixie Schram

I have been asking God and seeking understanding about death since the painful loss of my mother and sister from breast cancer. Her book is a trasure trove of richness not just about grief, loss, and the dying, but about life itself. To receive such goodness and guidance causes me to rejoice in God's mysterious ways. The door has opened and His conduit of love comes forth page after page of Maria's book through her spiritual experiences with hospice patients. I am forever grateful for this valuable resource of information and Maria's gift to humanity.
-- Joy D. Krein, hospice (spiritual care) volunteer

I wasn't able to attend your talk at Hospice and Palliative Care of Contra Costa (Pleasant Hill, CA), but everyone still talks about it and my boss gave me a copy of your wonderful book, which I pour over every morning. ... I think of your book as a manual to die by. My psychic/teacher told me years ago that one of the jobs of the old souls in America is to teach the others how to die since the knowledge has slipped away through institutionalizing death this last century. You're certainly doing your part with your book. I love every page.
-- Mardi Taylor, Hospice Worker

Maria Dancing Heart, author of The Last Adventure of Life: Sacred Resources for Transition, has helped me in ways I am only beginning to discover. Only a month ago I ordered 4 copies of her book after a soulful conversation with Maria and the book feels like an extension of my being now. I carry it everywhere, am reading it as if my universe depends upon it, and am sharing it with nearly everyone I come in contact with through my hospice work.

There is something extraordinary about this book of resource. It feels like a workbook...it reads like sacred text...it has a humble quality about it that makes it completely accessible to anyone who parts its pages...it shimmers, yes, it shimmers. Families I've been supporting are reading it and finding comfort in the passages that lead them to their inner strength and patients are being guided by the essence of Truth that makes its way into their expanding consciousness.

I am utterly grateful to Maria Dancing Heart for her wisdom to listen between the spaces of stillness as the beauty of the universe answers our prayers for the dying...
-- Kim Snyder Sterrs, Hospice Spiritual Care Provider (see her blog here)

The Last Adventure of Life by Maria Dancing Heart is a must read for anyone taking care of people who are ill and near their final days in this lifetime. It is also good for anyone who is going thru this life's end process with a friend or family member. And for heaven sakes it's good for anyone who someday will make their own final exit. This book is well presented from all aspects of all belief systems and in support of all preparing for their "Last Adventure." A must read for Healthcare professionals.
-- Anna Marie Newman, RN, LMP, CHTP

This is skillful advice from a revered hospice worker who speaks from the deep experience of a true heart.
-- Stephen & Ondrea Levine, authors and mentors in the area of death & dying

Maria Dancing Heart has expertly combined the word of God, her career experiences working with hospice, and many stories and poems from a large selection of authors and individuals to put together this deep, meaningful, and informational book.
-- Rev. Anne Marie Evers, author of Affirmations: Your Pasport to Happiness

The Last Adventure of Life is phenomenal. You've written a heart-warming, inspiring, informative book that fills an important void. This book carries a vital message and it deserves to be published. I would be honored and delighted to be the literary agent for this outstanding book project.
-- Michele Rooney, Literary Agent

It is a treasure of wisdom and inspiration. Our library will be ordering it... The writing and publishing are a great job well done!
-- Rev. Kenneth Dale, minister, teacher, and pastoral counselor

The book is lovely ... strong, loving, practical. ... It resonates deeply with me and I am honored to have been able to share in its birth in a small way.
-- Leah Kosh, artist (of center piece on book cover) and hospice volunteer

In looking through your book, I see there are many marvelous sections to share as reflections with our staff. We will enjoy taking turns reading them to each other. I know we will learn from what you offer. It is always wonderful to know others are looking to improve end of life care within our culture. I look forward to gaining insight from your vast experience.
-- Georganne Trandum, Director of Improving Care through the End of Life, Franciscan Health System

After reading this book my apprehension about meeting Death is not so great. If the birthing process is the beginning of natural life (sometimes with the help of a midwife), then now I can see death as the beginning of the supernatural life. As a chaplain I can see myself serving as a midwife, a companion, a coach to the dying person as s/he transitions from this life to the next. To enjoy everlasting life one has to die. In this sense, when the time is right, death can be viewed as the door that leads us to the other side. What a powerful role! What a gift! What a privilege to be a witness at a sacred moment in a person's life as s/he moves forward, towards the end (goal) for which we were put on this earth! This book made me feel this way!

Now I feel I am ready to be present when someone physically dies. To date I have not had the opportunity to witness such a sacred moment. To date my experience is that I was called when the patient had just died or in the case of an imminent death, the family thanks me for coming (while the patient is still alive) and I take that as my cue to leave. Each time I thanked God that I did not witness the actual death, reminding God (as if He does not already know!) that I am not in a hurry to get there (actually witnessing a patient die). The book has given me a peaceful acceptance (even a guarded eagerness?) of the possibility that one of these days I will be privileged to witness the sacred moment when one goes through the door.
-- Alegria Albers, spiritual director, chaplain, and UW research scientist

The Last Adventure of Life is a hospice "medicine bag" that is a must read for everyone involved in hospice or caring for those who are on their last adventure of life. I found your book not only offered many invaluable insights into the journey we call dying, but more importantly offered suggestions for those who choose to accompany someone who dying to experience with them the holiness and sacredness of life.

Just as each person's experience of life is unique, so is his or her experience of dying. Your book honors this truth and offers the reader many different ways to connect with the uniqueness of each person's experience of dying. It raises the reader's awareness of the physical, emotional and spiritual experiences of dying and helps them to prepare themselves and the person they are journeying with to fully experience the gift of grace, the transforming power of grief, offered to those on the last adventure of life. The teachings, resources, stories, poetry, words of wisdom, guided imagery, and meditations offer hope and healing for all those who are on their last adventure and those who have chosen to walk with them.

Thank you for writing The Last Adventure of Life. I refer to it and use it often in my ministry.
-- Deacon Bill Batstone, Steward for Social Ministries and Pastoral Care at St. Michael Church and On-call Chaplain at St. Peter Hosp.