Meditation for Cancer

Evidence is growing to support the role of yoga and allied consciousness expanding
sciences in the cure of cancer. To date researchers have accumulated evidence that
meditation may be a factor in triggering off certain bodily reactions, responsible
for dissolving and removing cancer from the body and mind.

Dr. Ainslie Meares, MD, DPM, of Australia has published research on meditation
therapy for cancer. His subject was a 49 year old single woman with proven cancer
of both breasts. His work is based on the following theory:

‘There is evidence to suggest some cancers are influenced by immunological

reactions. There is some similarity between immunological reactions and allergic
reactions. Some allergic reactions can be modified by meditative experience.
Furthermore, some cancers are influenced by endocrine reactions, and some endocrine
reactions can be modified by meditative experience.’ *1

Of the three patients with cancer used in his trial, two quickly dropped out. The
third, with proven carcinoma of both breasts and spread of cancer throughout her
body, had received medical treatment by radiotherapy and naturopathic treatment by
laetrile (extract from apricot kernels) in Mexico, but still her condition had
deteriorated so that she required blood transfusions. The patient's progress after
her visit with Dr. Meares is as follows:

1. On her first visit she was frail, debilitated and in pain. The left breast was
immovable, hard (wooden), and the skin was in danger of rupture. The right breast
had large wooden lumps in it and the nipple was retracted (pulled inside).
2. During the first six weeks of meditation therapy her condition deteriorated, and
pain and weakness increased. She needed two more transfusions and the abdomen
required removal of fluid by needle.
3. After the first six weeks deterioration ceased, strength begantoreturn, and
fluid filling the abdomen ceased.
4. After 100 intensive meditation sessions covering six months she enjoyed eating
whereas before she could barely keep any food down at all. She swam in a friend's
swimming pool and no longer required pain relief treatment. The left breast was
still hard, though soft patches were developing. It was freely mobile over the
chest wall and the skin was less tight. The nipple of the right breast was no
longer retracted. She put on 9 pounds even though there was fluid loss from the
abdomen.

Meares states:

‘Whatever the final outcome may be, there is no doubt that the progress of her
condition has undergone a dramatic change for the better after intensive
meditation. This change is much more than the relief of pain and improved attitude
of mind which one might expect from intensive meditation.’ *2

Dr. Meares is now looking for more volunteers for this experimental work:

‘They must be prepared to attend my rooms every weekday for three months and to
practice what I show them for two or three hours at home each day. Above all they
must be capable of developing a sense of Commitment to the venture.’ *3

Much larger studies of cancer and meditation therapy have been instigated by Dr.
Carl Simonton of USA. In addition to conventional radiotherapy, chemotherapy and
surgery, Simonton uses relaxation and visualization techniques similar to yoga
nidra and meditative techniques taught here at Bihar School of Yoga.

‘The patient is asked to meditate regularly three times a day for 15 minutes in the
morning upon arising, around noon, and night before going to bed. In the meditation
exercise, the first couple of minutes are used to go into a state of relaxation,
then once the body is completely relaxed, the patient visualizes a peaceful scent
from nature. A minute later the patient begins the main part of the work of mental
imagery. First he tunesinon the cancer, 'sees it in hit mind's eye. Then, as
Simonton describes it, 'he pictures his immune mechanism working the way it's
supposed to work, picking up the dead and dying cells'. Patients are asked to
visualize the army of white blood cells coming in, swarming over the cancer and
carrying off the malignant cells which have been weakened or killed by the barrage
of high energy particles of radiation therapy given off by the cobalt machine, the
linear accelerator or whatever the source is. These white cells break down the
malignant cells which are then flushed out of the body. Finally, just before the
end of the meditation, the patient visualises himself well.’ *4

Simonton instructs his patients in the general principles of the immune mechanism.
Patients with visible cancers, e.g. on the skin and mouth, are responding to this
therapy. In a trial of 152 patients, he found that the optimistic and committed
patients were most successful in therapy, and also showed fewer distressing side-
effects to radiation therapy.

The work of people such as Ainslie Meares and Carl Simonton is very encouraging.
Their openness to meditative techniques is showing positive results, gratifying to
both patient and doctor. Further research is now being collected to back up such
claims and to give them scientific credibility and acceptance. For example, studies
conducted at the University of Rochester over a 20 year period have pointed out
that cancer may be caused by feelings of 'hopelessness' which an individual may
have developed towards life in general.

These studies open up new realms of possibilities for treating psychological as

well as physical diseases. Through yogic techniques the blocked doors of the
personality are opened up to positive, dynamic, creative living charged by the
vital energies of the cosmos, prana shakti.