"Instead of struggling against the force of confusion, we could meet it and relax"

Pema Chodron

Spiral Knot

With a lifelong dedication to alternative medicine, I have spent nearly fifty years as an Ethnobotanist, deeply committed to enhancing the quality of life through herbal, nutritional, and lifestyle approaches. My work has allowed me to support and care for multiple generations of families, guiding them toward better health and well-being.

My journey in alternative medicine has included participation in a research project with Advanced Health Technologies, where I provided auricular acupuncture to incarcerated individuals in Minnesota. This initiative, aimed at reducing recidivism among convicted drug offenders and rapists, reflects my commitment to exploring innovative ways to foster healing and rehabilitation.

Additionally, I operated a free acupuncture clinic for three years, offering accessible care to those in need.

These experiences have naturally led me to the field of Conscious Dying, a practice that transcends the end-of-life process. Conscious Dying is also about living with intention and purpose, embracing life with awareness and authenticity. By engaging in and promoting the death-positive movement, I aim to inspire meaningful conversations about end-of-life matters, reminding us that healing is possible at any stage of life, right up to our final breath.

Ona Conroy

Education:

Conscious Dying Institute

Sacred Passage Doula, Conscious Dying Coach, Conscious Dying Educator
2020 – 2022

The University of Arizona, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Wellness and Lifestyle Series
2022 – 2024

The Northern School of Chinese Medicine
1988 – 1992 

Green Vale Herbal College

Ethnobotanist, Master of Herbal Therapeutics
1976 – 1986
Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Resources

Minnesota Death Collaborative (MNDC)

National End-of-Life Doula alliance (NEDA)

Conscious Dying Collective