Already I know that this is going to be a heavy book, but Simonton has been referenced in many things that I've read on healing and this is a great book thus far. Some of these exercises have previously been done.
A Forgiveness Exercise (p.51)
"Write down the name of anyone who seems to bring up any feelings of resentment in you. Next to that person's name, write why you resent him or her. Then, going down your list one name at a time, close your eyes and imagine something good happening to each person - something you know he or she would especially like. Do this as often as resentful feelings about each person come up."
Messages and benefits of illness (p.51)
".....Three very important areas for exploration are stress prior to cancer, secondary gain from the illness, and the message of the illness.
.....In our program, we begin by identifying stresses 6 to 18 months before the onset of cancer
.....Sarting with 18 months ago today, list any major changes that have taken place in your life
.....Whatever the change, the onset of the illness may be an indication that you are not able to deal effectively with the stress of that change. Other people may be able to, but you are not "other people". At this time in your life, certain changes may also be more difficult to handle than they have been previously
......Stress is never the only factor in the development of cancer, and it varies in importance from one person to another. But once the cancer is diagnosed, it is the factor that we can do the most about."
"Similarily, I ask patients to take a look at how cancer may be helping them deal with stress. What would you say are some of the secondary gains of your cancer?.....among other things, cancer can allow you to say no to yourself or to others in regard to things that you don't want to do. It can allow you to say yes to important parts of yourself that you have previously denied.
...With cancer, limits and rules become suspended; all of a sudden there may be great freedom to refocus your life in many different ways.
I think of this need to refocus as the great message of cancer. Over and over again I have seen cancer as the body's way of shocking a person into making changes."
1. Decide to get well. Make the decision to do whatever you need to do to get well, knowing that this will take you in the direction of joy and away from pain - both physical and mental pain.
2. Decide to open to who you are, and in doing so allow yourself to be directed by desire and joy and guided by the wisdom that resides within and around you.
3. Develop trust in yourself, trust in others, trust in God, and in all there is. You can nurture your relationship with yourself by acting with integrity; this will also nurture your relationship with others and your relationship with all there is.
4. Ask for help. Open yourself to accepting help. In doing so, watch for preconceptions about where and from whom you can expect help. Don't limit yourself to the information you have right now. Stay open to new sources.
5. Become more aware of your thoughts and feelings of guilt, blame, and failure. Taking responsibility for your health does not mean you are to blame for getting ill. It does not mean you are a failure if you don't improve as much as you think that you should.
6. At the same time, move in the direction of accepting more responsibility for your life, your health, your happiness. You are not the sole creator of your reality, but you are its co-creator. Experience how much you can affect your universe.
7. Feel and acknowledge your emotions, and learn to express them in ways that are appropriate for you and that maintain your personal integrity.
8. Actively participate in the healing process with aliveness, with positive expectancy, and with enthusiasm.
9. Develop the attitude of loving, alive curiosity.
10. Hold high thoughts. Think about things that are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually uplifting or comforting to you.
"These ten actions stimulate the healing process and bring a person closer to physical, mental, and spiritual balance....The exercises in the next chapter will help you get started."
To be continued.....
The author suggests looking for and working with a therapist. This I agree with and I have been connected with an amazing Guide.
The author also suggests suport groups.
An overview of the work ahead (p.57)
"The work we do with the patients at the Simonton Cancer Centre revolves around the basic premise that cancer is a message of love. If a significant part of the cause of cancer is trying to be who we are not, then healing cancer involves opening to who we are....
Here is an outline of the process:" See above 10 suggestions; I can't cut and paste this for some reason.
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