Role of Meditation & Prayer in Alternative Healing

Natkat

Modern tech has enabled scientists to demonstrate that deep states of mediation and prayer actually alter human brain waves. 

Whether one speaks of Medicine Buddha, St. Francis of Assisi, or the Virgin of Lourdes, etc., medicine has considered the spiritual alongside the physical for thousands of years.  Only in the past 60 or so years have all religious elements been removed from mainstream medical practice (even through the 1940s -50s many hospitals were run by churches and nuns were also nurses, etc.)

Now that we have scientific evdence for brainwave effects of deep prayer and meditation - even atheists might see a connection between states of consciousness and healing disease.

Please share experiences and research of healing aided by meditation or prayer. 

***NOT for trendy truisms like "think positive" or "miracle cures"*** 
In my mind there are NO miracle cures.  Real meditation & prayer require effort and the benefits enjoyed are the results of genuine efforts.  Non-denomentational - all faiths and healthy skepticism invited.

motheroffoursons

Just the act of sleeping also alters human brain waves.   However, I fail to see the connection between states of consciousness and healing disease.  I do not believe we can "meditate cancer away"  or pray and get healing on our own.  If so, I think many of us would have been healed spontaneously.

I am theistic in my beliefs.  I believe in healing by an outside force, unexplainable.  But prayer is not a way to get God to do what we want.  No is an answer too.

Twice in my lifetime during unique circumstances have I felt a connection to the supernatural.  As these incidents did not have to do with breast cancer, I won't describe  t

hem here but will be glad to do so if someone wants to pm me.

laura_g

I don't believe states of consciousness can cure disease anymore than they can cause disease. There are a lot of unhappy people out there who never get cancer and a lot of happy people with hopeful futures who do. Meditation can be a great tool to relieve stress and get clarity as it's proven to alter brain function. However, I don't believe it can cure cancer and I know it can't prevent it. I'm a longtime meditator and with cancer... again.



My biggest challenge is accessing a deep meditation for peace of mind when my brain is so full!

Momine

I think meditation can be beneficial generally and therefore indirectly support good health. As far as I remember, meditation has been shown to be measurably beneficial in treating heart disease, for example.



That said, I do not meditate, don't know how, but I do walk every day and try to make at least one walk during which I empty my mind of everything but the immediate surroundings. I find that it helps me manage stress and adds to general well-being.

Natkat

Hi Momine

Your walks sound very meditative. Zen practice even has walking meditation.



Motheroffoursons

All doctors agree that good sleep is necessary for healing. Also studies have linked lack of sleep to increased cancer risk. So doesnt this evidence actually SUPPORT the notion that brain waves may affect healing?

Natkat

Laura g

I also meditated ate right physically fit and STILL got cancer.



My meditation & prayer are now at much deeper level when confronting death. Did that make the tumor magically disappear?

No

Will this deeper meditation have a long term affect on my survival and QOL?

Lol only time will tell

sweetbean

I used a lot of positive affirmations and guided imagery meditation during treatment.  My tumor continued to shrink even after I finished chemo, before surgery.  (I was part of an ultrasound study, so I was measured regularly.)  They said it was unusual to see that kind of shrinkage three weeks after chemo finished.  Was it the meditation?  Don't know, but it surely didn't hurt me.  I really need to carve out some time to meditate, although I do yoga 5-6 times a week and I walk to positive affirmations 3 times a week.  

I think the mind plays a powerful role in healing the body, but I'm still glad that I did the chemo.   

SophieG

I am posting lots this eve. I am a firm believer in positive thinking and have utilized meditation for several years. Though I honestly do not think it "cures" cancer, meditation does help with decreasing my stress. I find that many discussion boards tend to focus on the type of cancer, the trt, the cea, the neutriphils, the, well on and on, I am aware of my cancer yet I also have a life. So, perhaps I may rub a few the wrong way, I tend to focus on what I do and enjoy despite my trts. I love music, I love the outdoors, and I once again am going outdoors to enjoy the last of the full moon, tonight, the second in the month of August, yep, once "in a blue moon", yet I am sure many of you don't notice these simple things as too absorbed in your cancer. So sad. Step into life!

HLB

There is a really good CD by Andrew Weil called Sound Body Sound Mind. Its a music dc and they have incorporated tones into the music that slow down your brain waves. The idea is that the body wants to heal but our brain gets in the way causing stress. Its about an hour long and gradually slows you down and the gradually brings you back up. Sure enough I usually fall asleep in the middle and wake up a little before its over. Its very relaxing and refreshing to awaken from. There's a second cd included where they explain how it works and how it was made which is very relaxing to listen to itself.

Natkat

I wish to draw the distiction between meditation and positive thoughts. Meditation is a practice which can cause physiologic measurable changes to brainwaves and arguably is exercising the mind the same way practicing a dance move might increase your physical skill. CDs or music designed to affect brainwaves may have similar function. Positive thoughts are beneficial - but NOT the same as real meditation practice.