Holistic cancer therapy.
C Magarey
Journal of Psychosomatic Research 1983 DOI: 10.1016/0022-3999(83)90020-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that medical technology has not reduced cancer death rates in 50 years and that the personality of the therapist is crucial in apparently successful unorthodox holistic cancer therapies. Contends that a spiritually convinced, charismatic healer induces meditation in patients and proposes that holistic cancer therapy include meditation, especially by the therapist. |
Abstract
Medical technology has not reduced the death rate from cancer for 50 yrs, in spite of its physical and psychological morbidity. A broader approach is required and investigation of certain apparently successful unorthodox holistic cancer therapies suggests that the personality of the therapist is crucial. The spiritually convinced, charismatic healer has all the qualities of a meditator, and physiological measurement demonstrates that such a healer induces the state of meditation in his patients. Meditation is associated not only with physiological rest and stability, but also with the reduction of psychological stress and the development of a more positive attitude to life with an inner sense of calmness, strength and fulfilment. Holistic cancer therapy should include meditation, especially by the therapist; and psychosomatic research, like physics, should include the study of consciousness.