Meditation Offers Protection for Healers

Pat Snowden Dittig, RN, MSN, CRNP
Pittsburgh, PA
psdittig@earthlink.net

My training in medical Qigong (see Johnson, 2000) taught me a basic lesson early on. My teacher, Ted Cibik, ND, DMQ, reviewed the principles of energetic healing and reminded the class that human energetic fields are strong and dynamic. In training, Cibik taught us to protect our energy with a classical Chinese meditation that was taught to warriors.

As nurses, we face the risk of depletion and the challenge of maintaining our center of power and strength so that we can continue to be effective. Energy can transfer not only from healer to client but also from client to healer. Therefore, a healer can absorb and accumulate energy that is unhealthy or toxic. Toxic energy also can be found in the environments in which we live and work. As a result, the healer can suffer from pain, fatigue, and illness. Healers must be as strong as possible.

Since my training, I have integrated some concepts of Chinese medicine into meditation to take it from a martial arts perspective to a more healing perspective. I have incorporated concepts that relate specific virtues and colors to specific organs. In Chinese medicine, internal organ placement is symbolic. The vivid imaginary creatures in the meditation help to focus attention and can generate a powerful imagery that will produce dynamic energy.

To help myself to focus, I have recorded the meditation on tape. I can complete the meditation slowly and mindfully in about 10 minutes. As I become more familiar with it through repetition, I can recall it at times when I know that I’m at risk for depletion. I share the words of this meditation with you here. May you find this meditation helpful. Feel free to share it with whoever might benefit from it, but please acknowledge the source.

Meditation: I stand calm and relaxed, feet shoulder width apart. My knees are relaxed and slightly bent. The crown of my head reaches toward heaven. My shoulders are slightly rounded and relaxed. My shoulders and elbows are relaxed at my sides, and my chin is slightly angled down. My waist and hips are relaxed. My spine is stretched long with my pelvis tipped forward, opening the Life Gate. My feet are flat on the floor, anchored firmly to Mother Earth. My tongue is relaxed behind my upper teeth, and my eyes are softly focused. My ears are closed to any distractions. My mouth is closed, and I am breathing gently through my nose, filling my abdomen with clean, fresh air and gently allowing it to leave through my nose.

I visualize a strong thick golden cord coming from a portal in the middle of my abdomen, from my spleen, connecting me deep into the Earth. I trust in the protective power of the Universe, Heaven, and Earth. I am anchored deep into the throbbing, burning core of Mother Earth and the galactic energies that all planets are a part of. I connect with that Universal Energy through the golden cord. I trust that I am protected by Universal Energy.

I visualize red steam rising upwards from a portal in my chest, from my heart. From this red mist emerges a brilliant Red Phoenix, a bird twice my height and twice my width. As I experience this powerful creature, I know that the power of Infinite Order goes before me, constantly regenerating, creating order from chaos for me. I feel the energy of Red Phoenix. I am protected by Infinite Order.

I visualize water flowing from a portal in the middle of my back, from my kidneys. From this water emerges a magnificent Blue Turtle. It is twice my height and twice my width, and its strong blue shell covers my back completely. It protects me with the Wisdom of the Divine, the Wisdom of the Ages, Infinite Wisdom. Arising from the oceans of the beginning of time, it brings the wisdom of all creation as well. I feel the energy of Blue Turtle. I am protected by Wisdom.

I visualize white steam arising from a portal in my right side, from my lungs. In the white mist arises a regal White Tiger. This muscular great cat is twice my height and twice my width. Its strong muscles ripple with the strength of impenetrable Integrity as it stands patiently beside me. This is the strength of integrity of thought, word, and deed. I feel the energy of White Tiger. I am protected by Integrity.

I visualize green steam rising from a portal in my left side, from my liver. In the green mist arises a splendid Green Dragon. This glistening creature is twice my height and twice my width. It represents the strength of Infinite Kindness, a kindness that comes from strength and discipline of body, mind, and spirit. I feel the energy of Green Dragon. I am protected by Infinite Kindness.

As I stand protected by these representations of Divine energies, they begin to move clockwise around me. Faster and faster they spin and form a giant white cylinder around me. As they gain speed, their colors blend together, forming a brilliant white light. They transcend space and time, and the white light rises to a point of light above the crown of my head. In an instant, they powerfully descend into my center, through my head and down my spine. Their white energy explodes outward in all directions through all of my body, head, hands, and feet. It is like internal fireworks with no cell untouched. From every pore this white energy streams from me. I am radiant with Divine Compassion and protected by its Infinite Power. I am in the Center of Space and the Center of Time. I am here, present in the Eternal Now. I am strong and focused, and I give thanks.

Reference
Johnson, J.A. (2000). Chinese medical qigong therapy: A comprehensive clinical text. Pacific Grove, CA: International Institute of Medical Qigong.

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Scientific News Briefs


Routine Vitamin Supplementation in Cancer Prevention
In June 2003, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued recommendations on routine vitamin supplementation to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. These recommendations, together with the underlying rationale based on supporting scientific evidence, can be found at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Web site. Based on a review of the research literature, the task force concluded that insufficient evidence exists to recommend for or against the use of multivitamins with folic acid; vitamins A, C, or E supplements; or antioxidant combinations for the prevention of cancer or cardiovascular disease. However, USPSTF found good evidence that beta carotene supplementation provides no cancer prevention or cardiovascular disease benefit in middle-aged and older adults. The USPSTF based these recommendations on information, including evidence tables and references, contained in articles available on the Web and hyperlinked to the USPSTF recommendations site (USPSTF, 2003).

Reference
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2003). Routine vitamin supplementation to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease: Recommendations and rationale. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Retrieved January 6, 2004, from http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/3rduspstf/vitamins/vitaminsrr.htm


Coral Calcium Advisory
In June 2003, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) issued an advisory about a dietary supplement called Coral Calcium Supreme. Web sites and advertising material claim that the product is made of marine coral from Japan and is a treatment or cure for cancer, lupus, and other diseases. NCCAM has advised consumers that these health claims go beyond the existing scientific evidence regarding the recognized health benefits of calcium products. The Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have sent warning letters to Web site operators who have made similar claims about coral calcium products.

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Cancer Chat Provides Information to Patients, Families, and Healthcare Providers


On October 7, 2003, Stephen E. Straus, MD, director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and an internationally recognized expert in clinical research and clinical trials, participated in a People Living With Cancer live online chat sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, in collaboration with NCCAM and CancerCare. The transcript of the chat can be found at www.plwc.org. Psychoneuroimmunology and Complementary Therapies SIG members may find the chat and the following summary interesting. Straus mostly responded to specific questions asked by participants.

Summary: Despite the curative claims made by some practitioners and manufacturers of alternative medicines, Straus indicated that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), at this time, serves only to relieve the symptoms and side effects of cancer treatments. He noted that some CAM approaches, including acupuncture, hypnosis, and relaxation or meditation, are worth trying for pain relief but warned that existing research findings on the approaches have proved nothing definitive. He answered questions and provided current information about specific CAM treatments.

Nausea: Some studies indicate that acupuncture may be helpful for the alleviation of nausea resulting from chemotherapy.

Hot Flashes: Many women suffer from hot flashes while using tamoxifen as long-term treatment for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence. Although many have used a number of CAM approaches to relieve hot flashes, current research does not support the use of soy protein supplements.

Improved Response to Cancer Treatments: A number of studies are investigating yoga as a way of reducing stress. However, studies have not determined yet whether the practice of yoga improves an individual’s response to cancer treatment. To date, no one has studied the effects of Qigong, a Chinese form of exercise and meditation, on cancer. Massage may soothe and relieve distress, such as during chemotherapy or radiation for breast cancer, provided that the tissues have healed sufficiently from the cancer treatments.

Cancer Prevention: With respect to CAM strategies and cancer prevention or causation, Straus indicated that some studies suggest that flaxseed oil serves a chemopreventive role in cancer partly because of its phytochemical lignan content. However, no clinical trial data exist on the potential therapeutic role of flaxseed oil. Studies in China have suggested that selenium and some vitamins may reduce the risk of stomach cancers. The National Cancer Institute and NCCAM currently are funding a study to determine the potential chemopreventive role of selenium and vitamins in prostate cancer.

Although Vitamin C is essential to health, researchers are not clear about whether taking large doses, such as 10–100 times the average dose of 100 mg per day, provides additional benefit. Straus noted that high doses of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, could interfere with radiation treatment.

High doses of other vitamins also may be detrimental. For example, one study demonstrated a relationship between high doses of zinc and prostrate cancer, and another study found an association between high doses of vitamin E and lung cancer in smokers. Straus suggested that herbs and other supplements that seem harmless may cause problems. For example, St. John’s Wort, commonly used by patients with cancer for its antidepressive effects, interferes with the metabolism of a number of prescription drugs, including the cancer drug irinotecan.

Current CAM Studies: Finally, Straus noted that CAM treatments are only now being studied in a formal way. Therefore, patients should be careful to use only CAM treatments that are supported by research. He advised that patients discuss their CAM-related questions and intentions with their oncologists prior to using any CAM strategies.

This cancer chat format provides an excellent source of information for patients with cancer and their families and healthcare providers. For a list of upcoming People Living with Cancer live chats, visit www.plwc.org.

The NCCAM Web site lists clinical trials currently under way for CAM therapies and treatments. Currently, these trials extend from research on “acupressure” to “yoga” and include a number of CAM treatments mentioned in this report, including studies on flaxseed, massage, meditation, Qigong, selenium, and vitamins C and E. Not all studies listed relate to cancer. The site provides a brief description of each trial listed, including information about inclusion criteria and recruitment, the names of the investigators, and, sometimes, references to relevant publications. You can access this information at http://nccam.nih.gov/clinicaltrials/treatmenttherapy.htm.

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News From the ONS National Office


Wanted: Review Courses
Does your chapter offer an Oncology Certified Nurse^®, Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse^®, or Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse^® Review Course, or do you know about a course in your community? Let us know, and we’ll share the information with nurses who are looking for a review course to help them prepare for the test or to refresh their knowledge. Please send the course title, dates, location (city/state), and contact information to oncc@ons.org. We’ll publish a list of courses on the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) Web site or in the ONCC News.

ONS Offers Continuing Education Credits Online
Be sure to check out the many continuing education opportunities available through the ONS Web site, many of which offer free continuing education credits. Current offerings include

• New Approaches to Hormonal Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer
• Priority Symptom Management (PRISM) Web cast Series
• Matters of Life: Living With Advanced Breast Cancer
• Virtual sessions from past ONS Congresses, Institutes of Learning, and Leadership Development Institutes.

SIG Reviews the Strategic Plan


We describe ourselves in this manner:
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and complementary therapies, a relatively new field of science, encompasses interactions among psychological, behavioral, neuroendocrine, and immune processes. PNI and complementary therapies practice and research recognize and explore these interactions and their effects on the well-being and quality of life of patients.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Psychoneuroimmunology and Complementary Therapies (PNI/CT) SIG is to promote understanding and application of PNI (mind-body) research and clinical practice in oncology nursing.

Strategic Goals

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PNI and Complementary Therapies SIG Officers

Coordinator (2002-2004) Jo Ann C. Owen, BSN, RN 1609 Cedar St. Broomfield, CO 80020-1334 303-438-0638 (H) 303-399-8020, ext. 2363 (O) joann.owen@med.va.gov Coordinator-Elect (2003-2004) Gwen Wyatt, RN, PhD 3918 E. Sunwind Dr. Okemos, MI 48864-5235 517-332-1221 (H) 517-432-5511 (O) 517-353-8536 (fax) gwyatt@msu.edu Editor Cecilia Barron, PhD, RN, APRN, BC 9658 Maple Dr. Omaha, NE 68134-5658 402-391-8476 (H) 402-559-6619 (O) 402-559-4303 (fax) crbarron@unmc.edu

Coeditor Pamela Potter, MA, MSN, APRN 900 State St. New Haven, CT 06511-3921 203-624-6992 (H) pamela.potter@mindspring.com ONS Publishing Division Staff Elisa Becze, BA Copy Editor 412-859-6317 ebecze@ons.org

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ONS Membership/Leadership Team Contact Information
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The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) does not assume responsibility for the opinions expressed and information provided by authors or by Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Acceptance of advertising or corporate support does not indicate or imply endorsement of the company or its products by ONS or the SIG. Web sites listed in the SIG newsletters are provided for information only. Hosts are responsible for their own content and availability.

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