Healing in the physical body

Recently when I was reading a book about the mind ("Your Mind and How to Use It" by W.J. Ennever) I came across the following "experiment" done with a man who was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.  The man was hypnotized and the suggestion was made that his arm was being touched with a red-hot iron and that a blister would form.  The doctor conducting the "experiment" actually touched him with his finger.  The arm was securely bandaged and six hours later when the bandage was removed a blister had formed on the spot that the doctor had touched - it had the exact appearance of a blister produced by heat.  Subsequently another part of the experiment was conducted whereby during hypnosis the patient's arm was touched with a red-hot rod and the suggestion was given that there would be no pain.    "There was no pain either then or afterwards and there was also no blistering.  More detail of this experiment can be found in a volume entitled 'Enquiry Into the Unknown' by C.C. Seligman, M.D., FRS."  (Quote from W.J. Ennever's book).

Of course the results from this "experiment" show that the thoughts of the hypnotized subject have a direct effect on the body - if the thought is dynamic, like that of a threatened touch from a red-hot instrument (when the actual touch was only that of a finger) then the part that was touched will take on all the signs of skin being really burned.  You can of course take the power of this to its ultimate possibilities - if you have read my book "Piece of Mind" you will know what I'm talking about.

So is there a name for what we can do inside our mind when we work with healing?  Yes - psycho-neuro-immunology.

The birth of psycho-neuro-immunology

The medical doctors who have made this process famous are Symington and Siegel.  You may know of Bernie S. Siegel MD through his books "Love Medicine and Miracles" (1986),  "Peace, Love and Healing", "Living, Loving and Healing".  Do you spot the common word?  Yes - "Love" is the quintessential to healing - or rather loving yourself - I talk about that below as "Unconditional love" click here.

Many people have expounded in this area prior to Dr Siegel.  In Australia we had the great psychiatrist Dr Ainslie Meares - at least 20 years before Siegel.  My understanding is that Ian Gawler was a patient of Dr Meares and he, Ian Gawler, is doing fantastic work in this area.  So is Petrea King. In 1979  Paul G Thomas in his book "Psycho Feedback" reports that the founding father was a French pharmacist, Emile Coue, who in 1870 became fascinated by the power of the mind and its relationship to health. By 1880 at his clinic in Nancy he was known for effecting 'miraculous cures' and even though he was an international celebrity, in 1920 he was far ahead of his time. Emile Coue's greatest insight formalised in his book "Self Mastery Through Conscious Auto-suggestion" was 'when the imagination and will power are harmoniously pulling in the same direction, an irresistible force is the result' "

Scientific proof

Is there any scientific proof  behind "using the mind for healing"?  Yes, there is and don't take my word for it.  A "Choice" book published in 1995 called "Mind, Body, Medicine" is worth reading.  The foreword is by a man I admire Professor Peter Baume AO, Head, School of Community Medicine, The University of New South Wales, and all the articles about the Mind's Role in Illness and What You Can Do - Relaxation and Beyond are by medical doctors and researchers.  Researchers have found a psycho-neuro-immunological link between levels of T-Cells (the fighting cells) and positive and negative mind state - positive mind states, meditation and laughter all increase the level of T-Cells in our immune system.

Personal proof

I have a really positive example about success with using the mind to help healing from my son Andrew when he was 18 years old. For those of you who have read my own personal journey of discovery you will recall that my son, Andrew, taught me these techniques. He was a great example to me and it proved to be a real turning point in my life. Andrew was in hospital with a smashed leg after a motor bike accident in 1982. The professor at the hospital told us that it would be best to amputate Andrew's leg because the only drug that could keep infection down was cortisone, and cortisone inhibited the the growth of bone marrow, so the leg would not heal! I asked another doctor Kali Annasunduram, (who had assisted Andrew in handling chronic asthma), to assist. He taught Andrew how to increase his own immune system and use visualisation in meditation to work towards the healing of his leg. The professor reduced the dose of cortisone and did the operation. Andrew has his leg! This was using psycho-neuro-immunological well before the name or technique was ever recognised.

If you or any of your friends are struggling with an illness then you could use, or suggest the use of, several techniques.  One major key is to always remember that "hope" is a "live" message that we give our body (hopelessness is a die message), so becoming aware of all non-medical, non-traditional methods of healing, particularly psycho-neuro-immunology, is important as it helps to keep hope alive. The monitoring of any illness by a supportive doctor together with "second opinions" is also helpful. Becoming aware of our negative self talk and changing this to positive is all important.  Using visualisation and guided imagery in the meditation state (the Theta state) to actively increase our "fighting" cells in dealing with any illness will help and know that by doing this process one will definitely relax and release stress.

I urge you to read the Success Stories below.

Success Stories

I have had great success with my PP in relation to my asthma. When I was using the nebuliser I felt that maybe I could imagine the steam as a pink coloured healing cloud that I could breathe in which would then open my airways. I had to practise and go to my PP in a very short time - like 2 to 3 seconds - so that I could short-circuit the powerful mind reaction that closes down my airways. The reaction has been brilliant and very successful. I feel stronger and much more in control of my health. PD, Victoria.

Your seminar made me aware that a far more powerful tool was available - going to my PP and addressing my subconscious mind directly. I am convinced it works! I decided to focus on my weight - my previous efforts having been unsuccessful. Two weeks after the seminar I have "released" 3 kilograms, my paunch has diminished in size and my self esteem has risen accordingly. During Alpha I visualise the kilos, which look like housebricks, flying off and disappearing over the horizon. (They have little chubby wings which flap furiously). I have used your technique in other areas too and am convinced that permanent changes for good are happening. I am certain that "Providence" provides us with opportunities for growth whenever they are needed - or at least when "it" knows that we are ready for growth. Sandy, your own enthusiasm, honesty and congruence are what most impressed me. DB, NSW.

The following is paraphrased from a letter received from someone who is 77 years old and does not want to be identified: I bought your book - "Piece of Mind" and the 2 tapes when I was on medication for high blood pressure. I then attended your course. I have never taken the original drugs prescribed, however by applying your methods, my blood pressure is now normal. I "treated" swollen lymph glands in my right arm pit with meditation to the extent that the swelling was no longer detectable. I have now had one full year without pain and am presently travelling around Australia enjoying life to the full .  FD, NSW.

My cycle of insomnia began in 1968, following divorce, and having to surrender my four-year-old son to his father. What followed was an endless treadmill of visits to doctors, therapists, hypnotists, relaxation classes, yoga, then the advent of medication - which I took to with great reluctance, and alcohol which I took to with great enthusiasm. I seriously considered a witch-doctor, however none were listed in the Yellow Pages.   On the recommendation of a close friend, I attended the CALM seminar in Brisbane. At last a 27 year cycle - which doctors vowed would stay with me forever - was finally and permanently broken.   This seminar was by no means a temporary fix. I am still experiencing normal sleep patterns 17 months down the track.   I would like to take this opportunity to thank you Sandy for restoring me to normality, and now to my astonishment, I am even civil to people in the mornings! KB, QLD.

I had my first heart attack at about 8.30pm one hot Tuesday evening (would you believe that it was still 30 degrees in Hobart) just after completing my regular evening workout. I was sitting down putting on my socks when the symptoms first struck. I was alone, everybody else having left the gym, and the staff were at the other end of the complex. They were too far away to hear, and I could not raise my voice loud enough to be heard outside of the change room. I knew that the next person due in there was the cleaner, and that was not till 9.00pm. It was what happened next that makes me truly indebted to you Sandy. I went to my Peaceful Place and was able to bring down my pulse rate, control the sweating and feeling of nausea and "distanced" the pain sufficiently to allow me to get dressed and go for help. There should be no need to tell you what I did first when I was struck again some two weeks later.  I'm here to tell you it works!  I look forward to catching up with you again in the not too distant future, but in the meantime I know that your support is only a tape away.  TT, Tasmania.

Firstly, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you for enabling me to attend your two day seminar recently in Adelaide. It was without a doubt the best I have attended and as I have owned "Piece of Mind" for some years, it was great for me to have these ideas reinforced by practice.   I felt that I understood the Emotional Anchor much better, as I had been unsure about this before.  I also had an opportunity to look around the outside of my Peaceful Place. Prior to the seminar, I had always gone straight into my PP without looking around. Now I enjoy the 360 degree view, when I have time!   One of the things that really impressed me was your honesty and warmth, and you spoke in a manner that was uncomplicated, and easy to follow. As a teacher I am often a little critical of the presentation styles of others. You scored a 10/10!   Last year I was invited to speak publicly about my experiences in teaching relaxation to school children. I was very honoured and was quick to acknowledge that my inspiration came from your book "Piece of Mind".  When I started school on the Monday morning (after a 2 week holiday) I was brimming with enthusiasm and wanted to tell my colleagues about my wonderful weekend seminar. I was bursting to tell them about being "hooked" up to the electro-encephalograph and the way it showed that I could access the alpha state very rapidly.    I was really excited about meeting my class, as I had a much more positive outlook, although others tell me that I'm a very positive teacher anyway!   On Thursday of the same week my life took a dramatic turn, as I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. I'm now at home recuperating from an operation and awaiting radiotherapy. I wouldn't be honest if  I said that I wasn't shocked. However, while I went through 4¼ hours of gruelling tests to confirm the diagnosis, I thought of the anecdote that you told us about the woman who had needle biopsies.   When I was subjected to the needle biopsy, with the "cast of thousands" in the room with me, I thought "Well, here you go Christine, use your PP." I closed my eyes, even though I was invited to watch the screen. I took some deep breaths and went to my PP. I could hear people telling me that it would be painful, but I hardly felt a thing. Afterwards, the woman who performed the biopsy said "Were you off on a desert island?" I explained a little and she replied she could tell.   Before I underwent the bone scans, blood test and X-rays I used my PP. I continued to teach for 4 days, and my colleagues were shocked, and remarked on my really positive outlook. I kept telling myself that I couldn't afford a negative thought  and that I would cross a bridge only if I had to.  I continued to go to my PP and into a "Healing room" and use your Healing Tape. On the day after the operation the surgeon said to me "You should have the biggest smile on your face. The tumour was 0.85cm, not 1.2cm as the ultra-sound showed. The lymph nodes are clear."   Of course I have some down moments, but I am fairly at peace with myself. The tapes have been so helpful. Sandy, I am so grateful that I could be at the seminar. If my journey so far would encourage anyone else, please use it, just as I used the story of the woman and the needle biopsy. Again, my sincere thanks and appreciation. CA, SA.

I am a 79 year old pensioner who was diagnosed with lung cancer approximately 2 years ago. Since that time I have had an operation which removed half of my left lung. However, abnormal cells still remain resident in my system. I have always been an active individual and believed strongly in my own capacity to control my own destiny. My medication  since the operation has assisted in relieving the pain somewhat, but as you are probably aware this is nothing more than a bandaid measure. I have also used a series of meditation tapes and whilst I felt that they've been of assistance I have never really found them convincing enough to have any real impact. I have worked diligently on the meditation 2 or 3 times a day. Your tape was a different story and I sensed a deep empathy with your words almost instantly. I have often felt my hand shaking strongly and tears welling up as the dialogue proceeded. I don't know as yet whether this has had a positive impact on reducing the number of abnormal cells, but I feel good about what has been occurring. Thank you for your care and for making this tape available. FR, WA.