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VISUALISATION by Trish Appelbe "The mind is a great healer." (Hippocrates)

What goes on in a patient’s mind is often the key to whether he will get well," says Dr. Carl Simonton. Dr. Simonton is a radiation oncologist and medical director of the Cancer Counselling and Research Centre in Dallas, Texas. Stephanie Matthews-Simonton is a psychotherapist and director of the Centre’s intensive psychotherapy programme. They have had remarkable results: their patients have a survival rate twice the national norm, and in many cases have experienced dramatic remissions or total cures. We need to realise how much the mind and the physical body are intertwined, says John Kehoe, author of ‘Mind Power.’ It is possible for the cycle of disease to be reversed, with the use of visualisation. So what is visualisation? It is a simple technique, reliant on persistence for its effectiveness. There are many good books available on the subject, some of which are mentioned below, and what follows is but a brief description of the technique. Visualisation is using your imagination to see yourself in a situation that hasn’t yet happened, picturing yourself having or doing the things you want, and successfully achieving the results to desire. We have MS. Using visualisation you picture yourself free of the disease. Each individual needs to imagine the healing process the best way for themselves. For instance I picture the myelin around my nerves, regenerating. I work down my spinal cord, then around the brain visualising all the scarred tissue disappearing. I go to my eyes and clear the blurred vision. Lastly, I imagine myself running down the beach to my waiting family and friends. Decide what works best for you. The more vivid the picture in your mind the better. It does take time and commitment, but then what doesn’t?
The Technique
				Set 15 minutes aside twice a day. Find yourself a quiet place. Decide what it is you will imagine. Relax. Spend several minutes unwinding so that you feel comfortable in body and mind. Spend 5-10 minutes visualising the reality you want. Create little inner film clips. See yourself doing the things you want.
Most of us lead busy lives. I find that my thoughts frequently invade my visualisations. Often, my mind won’t co-operate. The trick is not to fight or ignore the invading thoughts. Simply let them come and go without much notice. The technique is also a great way to go off to sleep on – this is in addition to your two daily sessions though! Remember that results take time. Don’t try to measure success after just a few attempts. Once you have found an image that works for you, stick with that image. There is power in repetition.
Recommended reading.
Getting Well Again, O. Carl Simonton, M.D. Bantam Books, USA) Mind Power, John Kehoe. (Zoetic Inc. Canada) How to Fight Cancer & Win, William L. Fischer. (Fischer Publishing Corp. USA) The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale. (Octopus Publishing, London) You Can Heal Your Life, Louise L. Hay. (Hay House, Inc. USA)
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