Grief and Rebirth: Finding the Joy in Life

I Had a Near-Death Experience at Age 3. Here is How It Healed My Life.

July 22, 2026·29 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Host Irene Weinberg welcomes therapist and author Sally Dukes to discuss her incredible near-death experience and journey of spiritual awakening after surviving open-heart surgery at just three years old. Sally describes the purple wave of love she met in the dark tunnel, a memory that completely removed her fear of dying and guided her back home to herself. She shares how she used Sandplay Therapy to translate the unconscious memories of her early trauma without relying on sterile language. Even when facing breast cancer, deep grief, and a major move to a Greek island, she's always chosen conscious resilience over the swamp of suffering. Her beautiful memoir, Drummer Girl, invites us to find genuine joy in life by looking at our obstacles as opportunities for a profound rebirth.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:How a near-death experience at age three became a lifelong compass for understanding consciousness and suffering.The therapeutic power of Sandplay Therapy in recovering childhood memories and healing unconscious trauma without language.How a surgeon's simple sketch of an elephant witnessed and resolved night terrors after open-heart surgery.The choice to meet major life challenges like breast cancer with conscious resilience instead of despair.Why a bold move to a Greek island during the pandemic brought a simple, joyful connection to nature and self.SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS SALLY DUKES:What was it like as you were pulled through the dark tunnel, and what did the purple energy of love feel like?How did studying Sandplay Therapy in Zurich help you find a language for your unconscious childhood experiences?Can you share the story of the green dog and the hand-drawn elephant, and how they acted as your guides and keepers?How did writing your memoir allow you to witness your own journey and understand the interplay between life and death?WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/9THNgjkPEQI?list=PL7judgDzhkAWmfyB5r5WgFD6ahombBvoh📖➡️ Get Sally's Book, Drummer Girl: The Story of Life after Death Here: https://bookshop.org/a/93249/9798897470549https://amzn.to/4wWT4Xk---✨ Grief &amp; Rebirth: Healing Resources &amp; Tools ✨🎧 Irene's Books (Including a Free Audiobook!)They Serve Bagels in Heaven—Irene’s heartfelt story of love and life beyond.Listen Free on Audible as a First Time User: https://amzn.to/4dG4l4wGet the Paperback or Hard copy: https://amzn.to/3XrE995📚 Embrace Life’s Third ChapterGood to the Last Drop—A powerful anthology on aging with purpose: https://amzn.to/3VJgEa5🛍️&nbsp;Healing &amp; Self-Care PicksCurated books and essentials from Irene:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.a

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