Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and adamr
I know there are people out there who are laughing – they believe that using visualization to heal yourself is just plain crazy.
I’m here to tell you IT WORKS. When I had breast cancer in 2004, once I began adding visualization to my passive meditation sessions (they are two very different things) I really began to feel changes were being made.
About Visualization
Visualization (also called guided imagery or creative visualization) is the technique of focusing your imagination on something you would like to have occur in your life. For you, it may be healing from breast cancer. For someone else, it may be simply lowering blood pressure or relieving stress or improving a golf game.
How I Used Visualization
When I was undergoing chemotherapy, I used an affirmation that described the chemotherapy in very positive terms and that was great, but I wanted to take it a step further. I read Ian Gawler’s book “You Can Conquer Cancer” and began to realize that visualization was the missing component for me. I wanted to harness the power of my mind in order to help the chemotherapy drugs work. I knew that my body would heal itself automatically once the right conditions were provided.
Besides Ian Gawler’s book, I also grabbed a copy of “Creative Visualization” by Shakti Gawain. This book was written to help you use the power of your imagination to create what you want in your life. I highly recommend it.
A Healing Visualization For You
Today I’m sharing my favorite healing visualization – I used one very similar to this. I’d suggest you record your own voice reading it, because the cells of your body recognize your voice and that’s much better than you listening to me read this out.
To begin, turn off your phone! Sit or lie down. Breathe deeply (and it helps to breathe in essential oils of basil or frankincense to open the brain further). Relax. Start focusing on your feet – tell them to relax. Then work your way up your body, focusing on each part and telling it to relax. Consciously let go of any tension you may be holding. Feel the tension dissolving – let it go.
Here are the words to record (slowly, giving yourself time to experience the sensations):
Imagine a beautiful, shimmering, golden light. This light is a gift to you from the Divine.
Feel this healing golden light surrounding your body.
Sense it…… enjoy the sensation of the golden light surrounding you.
Bring the golden light into the area of your body that needs healing.
Surround that part of your body in the healing, golden light.
Really allow the golden light to penetrate that area of your body.
Breathe.
You might be aware of some emotions coming through.
Acknowledge them, breathe. Then let them go.
Picture the diseased area dissolving – the golden light is carrying it away.
Now shine this beautiful golden light into each part of your body.
Take your time with this. Allow the golden light to do its work.
(Pause for 3-4 minutes here)
Now imagine yourself in natural, perfect health.
See yourself taking part in activities you love, and feeling well, being active and healthy.
Breathe and enjoy the vision of yourself, happy and healthy.
Do this visualization each time you are receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and also take time out every single day to practice visualization.
Skeptical?
Don’t think this will work? This might change your mind. I have a friend who was diagnosed with a particularly nasty form of lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. He was told to go home and get his affairs in order. He did that, but he also changed his life quite a bit. He became a vegetarian, started juicing regularly and while that helped him quite a bit, the one thing that he knows cured him of his “uncurable” cancer was meditation and visualization. In the initial phases of his disease, he would carve out 3 one-hour sessions every day where he just sat and meditated and used visualization to heal himself. He is still with us today, 16 years later, thriving and healthy and disease-free.
There are plenty of testimonials on visualization in various books and internet sites. Many Olympic athletes attribute their success in winning medals to visualizing exactly what they are going to do and then doing it.
A Helpful Affirmation For You To Post
Along with the above visualization, it would help for you to post this particular affirmation, written by Shakti Gawain, in places you can see it – the refrigerator door, the dashboard of your car, your bathroom mirror:
I AM LOVING AND HEALING MYSELF ON ALL LEVELS —
SPIRITUAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL.
I CAN GET MY NEEDS MET WITHOUT GETTING SICK.
I AM TAKING GOOD CARE OF MYSELF.
I LOVE AND ACCEPT MY BODY COMPLETELY.
I AM GOOD TO MY BODY, MY BODY IS GOOD TO ME.
I HAVE NOW RELEASED ALL PATTERNS OF ILLNESS.
I AM FREE AND HEALTHY.
MY BODY IS BALANCED, IN PERFECT HARMONY WITH THE EARTH AND THE UNIVERSE.
I AM ENERGETIC AND FULL OF VITALITY.
I GIVE THANKS FOR EVER-INCREASING HEALTH, BEAUTY AND VITALITY.
When you read these words, imagine yourself surrounded with golden healing light.
I have also created a how-to-meditate course for you, it’s called the “Change Your Life Meditation Course“. I did this because so many of my readers live in small towns where meditation classes are non-existent, and I truly believe in the power of the mind to help you heal.
If you’d like to stay connected, sign up for my free e-newsletters on the right, or “like” me on Facebook (MarnieClark.com) and I’ll do my utmost to keep you informed and empowered on your healing journey… and beyond.
Visualization was a big help in getting me through chemotherapy, needles and all that heavy toxic stuff they throw at the cancer. I used to envision myself on a boat, sailing along the water, and there’s be this man who would shovel all the bad stuff into the water to be carried away by the current. Sometimes he had to shovel like crazy! But it was about releasing those fears.
Great post on visualization. The golden light sounds very healing.
Thanks Catherine – I like your sailboat and little shoveling man too! It’s such an individual process – what works for one doesn’t always work for another, so for many it’s trial and error. I appreciate your comments, thanks.
I drew images of my healthy body.i looked at them several days.i had stomachache.after a while.i got much better.i was good .but now my pain has come back again.
Hi Bita,
I don’t recommend using ONLY visualization to heal yourself because there might be underlying problems that need to be addressed. I would highly recommend getting yourself checked out by a doctor to see why you are having stomach pain, that’s my best advice to you. Please don’t delay.
Warmest regards,
Marnie Clark
Most helpful
Hi Marnie,
I have just discovered your website. I, too, have successfully used visualisation to survive breast cancer and continue to use it to stay healthy. I’d like to receive your newsletter,
Best wishes,
Sara G
Hello, Do you think vizualization could help me to get rid of strech marks ? Thank you!!
Andzelika,
I have no idea. Nothing is impossible. Give it a try.
Best regards.
Marnie
Thanks Marnie. I will give it a try and let you know if I was successful.
Kind regards
Andżelika
Is this work for heart patient or any other patient?
Bhavya,
Visualization works for all sorts of health problems. Give it a try. It may not work immediately, but over time, if you apply yourself to this, you may be surprised at the results.
Warmest wishes,
Marnie
Very good information . Need to start today
Mind strength is important for chemotherapy patients. But 90% people under depression. Visual treat I think better for all illnesses.
Absolutely believe in visualisations! Great sharing, thank you!!Can this be used to aid someone to heal-as in visualise for someone else’s healing? Thanks!
Rose,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, I believe we can positively influence the healing of another using visualization and prayer. When I was going for my breast cancer surgery, I had a bunch of friends and family members praying for me and to be honest, didn’t expect to feel that. But I felt so uplifted – difficult to explain – but it was the most incredible feeling. So by all means, do use visualization and prayer for your loved one. Blessings,
Marnie
Than you for this. My sister is going through chemo and the idea of my using/practicing visualization to help her heal gives me a way to help in her treatment.
Thank you so much for your helpful advice. How often should one do visualization and when can one expect positive improvements? Grateful thanks.
Sylvia
Sylvia,
You are welcome! You can use visualization as often as time permits and the timeline for when you can expect improvements will vary from person to person. I always feel that the more time and effort you put into it, the better the results. It also depends upon what you are attempting to bring about – how big of a change, in other words. Hope this info helps you. Blessings xx
Marnie