These resources are for the 2022 BCAN summit meeting attendees to provide information that was offered in a concise and convenient place for future reference. Most of the major ideas from the presentation on Mindfulness In Healing are right in this article with links and referrals to other documents and teachings. These are provided as a public service to the summit attendees.
Mindfulness In Healing
The standard definition of mindfulness that I use is taken directly from the work Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
“Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non judgmentally, as if your life depended on it.”
So what do we mean by Mindfulness In Healing? In my 25+ years of living with muscle invasive bladder cancer I know that my healing has come from being present with whatever is going on in my health and in my life and it has been my mindfulness practices that have kept me alive.
“Mindfulness In Healing means applying the skillful means of mindfulness and meditation techniques to maintain an attitude of presence and calm abiding for what is happening right now in the present moment in our lives to improve our chances for healing.”
It is really important to not get lost in the story of what could possibly happen in the future. All we have right now is the present moment and if we can stay present, we won’t be bothered by the past or plans for the future. Otherwise, we descend into what Tara Brach calls the “trance of unworthiness” and have difficulty regulating our thoughts and feelings. The point of all this is to remain in our “window of tolerance,” where we can deal with what ever is happening in your life and you can handle the stress and pressure that cancer presents and it doesn’t bother you too much.
I highly recommend that you begin a daily mindfulness practice of at least 9 minutes a day. You can begin with the First Mindfulness Meditation Practice which you will find under “Mindfulness,” above.
Be Your Own Advocate
Take a stand and be in control of your healing experience. Don’t just roll over and let the medical establishment run over you. This strategy of being you own advocate goes along with Mindfulness In Healing. You investigate through research, conversations with doctors and other practitioners, reading book, magazines and articles about cancer and searching the internet. You make sure you visit practitioners with someone who can take notes for you for later, in case the information you hear is triggering and takes you out of your window of tolerance.
Other Strategies to Help YOU Survive
MAKE HEALTH-PROMOTING LIFESTYLE CHANGES: These will include your opting for healthy dietary choices and energizing exercises.
INVESTIGATE ALTERNATIVES: There is a magical world of alternative therapies that will further your healing and give you a sense of well-being on your journey to wellness.
CREATE YOUR OWN MEDICAL TEAM: Look for experts who know both Eastern and Western methods so that you can get the widest range of medical support.
REACH OUT TO OTHERS: Ask your family and friends for support and join a support group to share your healing challenges and experiences.
GIVE BACK: When you are ready, you will find joy and meaning in helping other people and giving back to your community.
Dana
“Dāna (pronounced “daa-nuh”) is the Pāli word for giving. Dāna is the first perfection of the heart (pāramī), and the foundation of Buddhist practice, based in the understanding that giving opens the heart, creates connection to others, and teaches letting go.
“According to the Buddha, generosity and sharing of resources is a central pillar of spiritual life, the foundation of wholesome kamma—action that bears fruit in our lives and the lives of others. Dating back to the Buddha and the first monastic practitioners, those who preserve and offer the teachings have always lived in interdependence with the community around them. Buddhist monks and nuns rely completely on the generosity of lay people for support in continuing their teaching and spiritual life.” – Spirit Rock
These resources are offered in the spirit of generosity. They are offered freely and donations are gratefully accepted. By offering dana, you show gratitude, support the teacher and the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network.
Donate with PayPal
Donate with Venmo
Support Information
Email address for support, questions and private consultations: jerome@mindfulnessinhealing.org
Mindfulness In Healing Sangha (support group):
Wednesday nights, 7:00-8:00 PM PDT/PST on Zoom – https://zoom.us/j/734-777-397
Presentation: To receive a copy of the full presentation for Mindfulness In Healing with different types of meditation, instructions and two case studies, click here and I will send you a link a PDF.
-
- Healing Cancer with Your Mind: Seven Strategies to Help YOU Survive: This book expands on everything in the presentation.
- Stop Cancer In Its Tracks: How to Use Mindfulness In Healing: This book is my cancer diary from the onset in 1997 to sometime later.
- Mindfulness Breaks: Your Path to Awakening: This book is an in depth study of a very special meditation technique called a Mindfulness Break, which is usually done in a private consultation.
- Seven Secrets to Stop Interruptions in Meditation: This book contains detailed instructions on how to develop a daily mindfulness practice using the technique from the presentation.
Guided Meditations: This set of six guided meditations can also help you with your practice.
- Reduce Symptoms Guided Meditation
- Weight Loss Guided Meditation
- Stress Relief Guided Meditation
- Anger Control Guided Meditation
- Achieve Goals Guided Meditation
- Sound Sleep Guided Meditation
About Jerome Freedman, PhD
Jerome is a mindfulness meditation teacher, author, healthcare advocate, computer scientist and physicist and muscle invasive bladder cancer survivor since 1997. He was ordained by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in the Order of Interbeing in 2008, which authorized him to begin teaching mindfulness meditation. He is currently awaiting certification from the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach.
Jerome founded the Mindfulness In Healing sangha (support group) in 1997 and is still the guiding teacher. He is currently working on his sixth book, How to Use Mindfulness to Be Happy, based on a series of nine classes which qualified him for certification in MMTCP.
In addition to freely offering Mindfulness In Healing, Jerome’s community service manifests in mentoring and guiding cancer patients, serving on councils and boards, participating in Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs and the Plum Village effort for climate change (Earth Holder Community).
Feedback From the Summit
It worked out for us to watch your presentation live on Saturday. We appreciated both the content and your calm, caring delivery. I can imagine that it was well appreciated by all those in the room struggling with life threatening bladder cancer. It is so good of you to put out the energy to share with others what has been so helpful to you in your long healing journey. – Linda D., Kushi K
That was fantastic! – Morgan S.
You must be logged in to post a comment.