Positive Affirmations and Guided Imagery

sweetbean · June 2011

Hi everyone,

I thought that I would start a thread with positive healing affirmations and guided imagery for people facing cancer. I have lots of different affirmations and imagery that I used for everything from boosting my immune system to healing from surgery to preventing a recurrence. I'm a big fan of Bernie Siegel and Keith Block and have a lot of respect for their approaches. I'll include stuff that is specific for various conventional treatments, as well as stuff that is purely natural. I can remember the source, I will list it. And if I find a new book, DVD, etc, I'll list it as a resource. I welcome your suggestions, too.

One house rule: I know that we all have very strong feelings about the kind of treatment that we did or are doing, but if we could keep that out of this thread, that would be awesome. So if you like alternative methods so much that you are curing yourself with dandelions or if you enjoyed chemo so much that you wish you could put it in your morning coffee, let's just leave that at the door, OK? (See how I teased everyone there? Wink )

I'll kick us off with some healing affirmations. Say 'em three times out loud!

_________________________________________________________________

"My body and I are a team working together in harmony." - Laura Scott (iTunes)

"The blueprint that I hold in my mind's eye, that I instruct my body to follow, is the picture of a strong, healthy, vital body. I can see it and I can feel it as I hear these words - strong, healthy, vital." Belleruth Naperstak - Positive Affirmations to Help You Fight Cancer (iTunes)

"Divine light and divine love are flowing in me and through me and radiating from me to everyone around me." - Shakti Gawain - Creative Visualizations (book)

Have a good day!

sanbar8771 · June 2011

I am just learning about this. I have surgery monday to replace a TE for the 3rd time. I am scared so I am trying guided imagry to kkep my body healed. I am using...Belleruth Naparstek "Successful Surgery" I am hoping it works. Thanks!!!

sweetbean · June 2011

I used the same CD and had an AMAZING outcome! You will, too! (They were actually able to fill me more than usual because my bloodflow was so great.) Good luck!

Ang7 · June 2011

Thanks sweetbean for starting this thread!

Lynn18 · June 2011

sweetbean: Thank you! I think this thread will be great. I will look these up on iTunes.

AnnNYC · June 2011

My breast surgeon recommended Peggy Huddleston's "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster" -- there's a book and a CD. Actually, my BS played a big part in getting this to be offered to all surgery patients at NYU -- they provide the book and CD for free (well, they throw it in with the surgery, which ain't free!) and a nurse who specializes in pre-surgery visualization, etc. -- you could go to a workshop with the nurse, or she would go through the techniques and exercises over the phone. This nurse was really great -- she really helped me through some issues. See, a big part of my makeup is a deep-seated belief that anticipating negative outcomes protects me from them! And that imagining positive outcomes is hubris and tempting fate! It's a cultural thing, I guess. I told her this really honestly, and she really helped me step around it. Wish I could remember exactly how! But she was very respectful of me, and said it was not uncommon -- I think what she did was just have me visualizing something that made me happy, a place that was beautiful, something I'd like to be able to do a week after surgery ("talk a walk in a place with trees") and 6 months later ("swim with no pain").

ruthbru · June 2011

I used visualization a lot during treatment. I am a big Lord of the Rings fan, so during chemo I visualized the cancer cells as the orcs (horrrible, monsterous evil beings), and the chemo drugs as the heros of the books/movie, the good guys who were the ruthless hunters of orcs. During rads I visualized myself on a dock at a camp I worked at when I was young & I'd 'pretend' and think about what activities we would be doing that day, the machine going overhead was a cloud passing in front of the sun. Not long ago, I bought a wonderful hypnosis CD called 'Stress Reduction & Power Napping" which really works for me.

sweetbean · June 2011

Ang7 & Lynn- you are welcome!

AnnNYC - that's great! I'm glad you were able to work through that conditioning - good for you! I did the same "outcome work" - 1 month after surgery (doing yoga), etc. Good stuff!

Ruthbru - love the LOTR work - so cool! I'm going to look into that CD.

Today's healing affirmation -

"All of my feelings are trying to help me get well. I include them in love so that I may truly get well." - www.summerjoy.com

Have a great day!

Valgirl · June 2011

I used Belleruth Naperstak CD on "Radiation Treatment" during my rads. It helped me to relax and to visualize healing light. I also attended a Yoga class the night before my lumpectomy that helped me prepare for my first surgery ever! Health Journeys has some great CD's. Some hospitals use them for their patients. Learned my breath work in Yoga and that helps in times of stress.

sweetbean · June 2011

Valgirl - I am using the same recording! I really like that imagery exercise. I always visualize these heavenly beings in the room with me when I am getting my rads. I lurv the yoga, too - I generally go every day at 7:15am and then go to radiation. Only nine more sessions left!

ruthbru · June 2011

"Have courage for the great sorrow of life and patience for the small one; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake." Victor Hugo

Ang7 · June 2011

Wow sweetbean - 7:15 in the morning?

Oh that I was made a morning person...

I am typing this at 1 AM does that count? Wink

Merilee · June 2011

http://healingwithlight.org/web/affirmations/

Here is the set that I purchased but there are lots of other helpful things to look at on this site as well.

DivineMrsM · June 2011

This is a wonderful topic. Merilee, I am just now looking at the link you provided and am bookmarking it. Have been feeling even more stress and anxiety than usual lately and this web page is calming me down already.

sweetbean · June 2011

Ang7 - haha! 1am is impressive in it's own way!

Merilee - thank you - I will check it out!

Ruthbru - love it!

DivineMrsM - I just read a really interesting blog on Dr. Block's www.lifeovercancerblog.com on Qigong and it's effectiveness against cancer. I am going to post a Qigong exercise today.

sweetbean · June 2011

Spring Forest Qigong - from Happy for No Reason (book)

1. Relax in the proper position - Sand with your feet a bit mor than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and look forward. Smile and relax. Draw your chin back slightly to straighten the spine. Drop your shoulders and move your elbows out a little. Open your hands and spread your fingers.

2. Breathe deeply - slowly take three deep, gentle breaths through your nose. Imagine using your whole body to brathe. Visualize energy coming in and collecting in your belly. When you exhale, visualize any pain or sikness changing into smoke and shooting out from every cell into the universe.

3.Silently say the phrases - Close your eyes and silently say the phrases, "I am the universe. The universe is in my body. The universe and I combine together." Take a moment to feel the quietness, the stillness of the universe.

4. Move your hands - As you inhale, slowly move your hands wide apart and to the sides. As you exhale, slowly bring your hands back together (don't let your hands touch each other). When you open your arms, feel the energy expanding in the space between your hands. When you bring your hands toward each other, feel the energy compressing in the space between them.

Do the exercise for five to six minutes. When finsihed, take three slow, gentle deep breaths, and allow yourself to relax for another minutes or two.

Merilee · June 2011

Nice very simple and effective thank you

AnneWisc · June 2011

This thread is great! I have nothing to contribute at this time, but I did add it to my favorites.

ruthbru · June 2011

Since chemo is all-out warfare; a visualization I might use today is chemo being the Navy Seals & the cancer cells as Osama bin Laden and his minions.

Neat website, Merilee.

Merilee · June 2011

For my chemo I had a big black Wolf like, fierce dog. named Taxatere that ran through my body digging for hiding cells much like a drug dog, then I had a cytoxen army coming along behind eating up everything that Taxatere dug up, like a systematic pac man army.When they closed their bubble they contained anything that needed to go and carried it out of me, worked for me.

geewhiz · June 2011

During chemo and still occasionally, I imagined scrubbing bubbles scouring over my body eating up any bad cells. I can feel the energy in my hands, and use them like using a washcloth wiping off the bad stuff. I learned this from a reiki master. It helps me during those crazy times when I wonder if some little niggle or jiggle is cancer.... I just wipe it away!!

Right now reading The Art of Happiness by the dalai lama. So wonderful and peaceful.. And such simple but powerful concepts. Ask yourself today... What brings me happiness? What conditions do I need to create to allow for it? What brings negativity to me? How do I create a less hospitable environment for that?

sweetbean · June 2011

Healing Affirmation:

I fully let go of all old, negative patterns for my physical body.

ruthbru · June 2011

That thorny path, those stormy skies,

Have drawn our spirits nearer;

And rendered us, by sorrow's ties,

Each to the other dearer.

- BERNARD BARTON

Merilee · July 2011

Indeed it has

Merilee · July 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs1VBC1wqKU&feature=related

Here is a good way to start the day

MariannaLaFrance · July 2011

This is a great thread. I have dealt with anxiety a lot since 2002, and unknowingly was using guided visual imagery to help me through difficult spots. Now that I know that it works,I am trying to use it to change my negative thought patterns.

I have found that I often focus on the negative. For instance, my best friend and I were looking at a new house being built, and at almost the same instant, she said "What a great view that house has", while I said "Wow, look at how close they built the home, it's right on top of the neighbor's house!". She saw the positive, while my eye/ brian sought out the negative part of the picture. I am working on this, as I want to be a more positive person!

My favorite trick, when I am getting any bloodwork done, or am in a verrry uncomfortable position at the doctor's office is to think of an image of my son, at 2 years old, running around in a field of flowers, giggling. For some reason, one day at the park back in 2004 really sticks out in my memory as a pure, beautiful moment. It helps me every time I'm in a bad place.

cinnamonsmiles · July 2011

I have severe arm, chest, partial back,armpit pain from my BMX with SNB. I am on meds, doing OT for pain, and today I see pain specialist. After reading this thread, can anyone recommend any reading materials to learn about how I could use this for pain? Are there pain counselors to help learn how to do this? I think back to the Lamaze classes I took (18 years ago lol) and that it really didn't help me at all back then but have no idea if this is the same. Thanks.

sweetbean · July 2011

Mycinnamon, I am going to look around and see if I can find something for you. When was your surgery? My pain lasted a long time. (edited to add: it lasted at least two months, but my pain is now gone. The tissue expanders aren't particularly comfortable, but I am not in any pain.)

sweetbean · July 2011

Inviting Divine Grace -

1 Begin by simply holding the intention of inviting Divine Grace into your life.

2. Using the thumb of one hand, touch the middle of the palm - th main grace point - on the other hand.

3. Hold that pressure point for 30-60 seconds, while repeating this prayer (silently or out loud):

I open to Divine Grace and allow it to fill me now. I am living in Divine Grace as I move through my life. I trust Divine Grace to give me everything I need. Divine Grace is holding me now. I am overflowing in the fullness of Divine Grace. And so it is.

Have a great day!

Merilee · July 2011

I am watching the CDs from Louise Haye- You can heal your life. All about the thoughts that run through your head. Loving it

sweetbean · July 2011

Mycinnamon - here are two guided imagery exercises for pain.

First, get seated in a comfortable position with your head, neck and spine straight. (You can also do this lying down if you are not feeling well. Just try to stay present and not fall asleep.)

Breathe out slowly through your mouth, exhaling your pain and anxiety. Breathe in more quickly through your nose, inhaling blue healing light. Do this three times.

Then, picture yourself at the bottom of a staircase. Walk to the top of the stairs where you a see a sign "Your Name's Control Room." Open the door and go in. It is the control room for your brain and you see in front of you numerous dials with different functions. Look through the different dials until you find the one you need - "Pain." You see that it is on the "On" Position. Reach over and turn it to the "Off" position. Turn and leave the room, knowing that you have turned off your pain. Do this exercise three times - first thing in the morning, at sundown (or evening), and right before bed. These are the healing times of day. (Incidentally, I do this for three things - my hair growth (ON!), my breast sensation (ON), and my sciatic nerve (OFF).

I'll post the second pain exercise in my next post.

Positive Affirmations and Guided Imagery

Comments

Categories