Meditation: Support Your Loved Ones Through Cancer

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Meditation Transcript

Find a comfortable place where you can sit, relax and be alone for a few minutes. Slowly close your eyes and take a few deep breaths at your own pace and level of comfort.

As you relax, visualize your loved one who has been diagnosed with some form of cancer.

Begin to come in touch with your feelings. Acknowledge your reaction when you first found out about their illness. Know that anger, sadness, frustration and guilt…even questioning your faith, are all normal human responses to difficult news. Have compassion for yourself. Open your heart to your own humanity and promise to give yourself the same gifts of kindness and respect that you will be giving your loved one on this journey you are about to undertake together. Know that you also have resources and support to help you with your needs as you help your loved one.

Sense or visualize yourself gathering information and resources to assist your loved one. See yourself speaking with doctors, social workers, counselors and clergy, researching in libraries or on-line, and learning from others in support groups. Remember to only share with your loved one that which is asked for and appropriate.

In your mind’s eye, remember a time when you were sad or afraid and how good it felt when someone listened…really listened…as you expressed these feelings. Visualize yourself giving this very precious gift to your loved one. See yourself creating a safe, loving space for this purpose and quietly listening, listening with both mind and heart, as they express what are they are going through. Sense your strength and ability to refrain from the need to respond unless it is truly appropriate. Give the gift of the open and non-judgmental heart and mind.

As your loved one comes through treatment, see yourself encouraging them return to life’s routine and rituals. Whatever the norm may be for them, living life to the fullest is a wonderful natural therapy.

And finally, give your loved one the gift of spirit. Pray in whatever your way of praying may be and offer to pray with them. With their permission, submit a prayer or spiritual healing request to a local group or one of the many on-line volunteer organizations that perform this loving service. And know that you are never alone…that the spirit of divine love is always with you.

Begin to slowly return to the present, take three deep and comfortable breaths, and when you are ready, open your eyes.

May you be blessed on your path.