The healing power of guided imagery (part 1)
Jayne Peterson is a hospice nurse who works at a different branch of the hospice .jpg)
where I worked for many years. Jayne caught my attention because she was offering retreats for her colleagues in hospice work, using her passion for guided imagery as the core piece. I remember that when my mom was dealing with cancer, she found Shakti Gawain’s Creative Visualization material a most helpful tool in her process. I’ve also been aware for a long time of the work that Dr. Carl and Stephanie Simonton have done around healing from cancer through visualization (see Getting Well Again in my bibliography). I am most grateful to Jayne for putting together the following piece to help us understand some of the basics around guided imagery and visualization—for healing, wholeness and personal growth. And it goes without saying, guided imagery and meditation can help us through any stage of life, not just the final one.
Guided Imagery in its simplest form can be described as directed daydreaming. Every image we hold in our minds stimulates a cascade of chemical reactions within our bodies. When we hold a fearful image, a particular set of chemicals and hormones is released throughout our bodies, preparing us to respond with either “fight or flight.” When we hold a relaxed and peaceful image in our bodies, a very different set of chemical signals is released telling our bodies to let go, rest, and be at ease. On a deeper level, guided imagery is a magical, healing tool that allows us to communicate with the sacred, loving, and wise part of ourselves that knows just what we need in every situation.
As individuals experience the end stages of life, guided imagery can be an effective therapeutic modality for decreasing fear, anxiety, and pain. Truly beautiful guided imagery CDs are available that address the needs of those in this last adventure of life. These guided imagery meditations offer relaxation and facilitate an inner journey, taking a person from a place of fear to a place of love, while allowing for emotions of sadness, loss, and grief. Individuals who listen to the Health Journey’s CDs – Ease Pain, Ease Grief, or Peaceful Dying – frequently describe increased feelings of peace and comfort.
Working with a certified guided imagery practitioner can further deepen a person’s experience of their inner wisdom, that divine source that is part of each and every one of us. Working with trained practitioners can help to strengthen one’s ability to utilize his or her natural inner resources to ease suffering..jpg)
Jan, a deeply religious woman with end stage breast cancer would frequently go to her special place during her imagery sessions, a beautiful and peaceful garden. On one journey in her imagination to this special place, Jesus appeared and walked with her. Three times Jesus asked Jan during this session, “Do you know how much I love you?” His responses to her brought great peace and comfort to Jan on a daily basis as she journeyed toward the end of her life.
Bill, an artist with end-stage respiratory illness would go to a park, near a lake, active with people, in his imagination. There he would frequently experience the presence of his inner advisor, a nun/monk-like presence who would take Bill by the hand and show him in pictures and metaphors, information that guided him day to day as he struggled with decisions about his treatment needs. These imagery experiences left Bill feeling less conflicted and more at peace.
Guided by her inner healer during an imagery session, Kate, who had been suffering from significant shortness of breath related to end-stage asthma, learned a most valuable technique. This method eased her shortness of breath and decreased her need to use anti-anxiety medication that had made her very sleepy. At the first onset of the breathing distress Kate would place her hand over her diaphragm, close her eyes and repeat the word “calm” while gently patting her diaphragm. This technique increased Kate’s ability to participate in her daily activities, feeling less short of breath and less sedated from medication.
This article will be continued tomorrow. Blessings of peace and deep relaxation! Dancing heart~~~If you are interested in other articles like this one, you might like to read:
Dr. Lorraine Day's Ten Natural Laws for Health
The often unspoken connection between diet and cancer/fungus
Dealing with cancer in the body-mind-spirit way: Re-emerging ancient tools for healing & relaxation
The magical essence of frankincense, and other essential oils (Part 1)
The magical essence of frankincense, and other essential oils (Part 2)
Do one thing that scares you every day: Acupuncture
Relaxing into the gentle Breema way
Healing without the use of drugs or surgery: Chiropractic Therapy
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