Dancing with Cancer focuses on the creation of a positive and proactive mindset with which to face the specific stages and challenges of cancer. It combines the author’s own experience of using her Thought Work (including creative self-expression, healing energy work and meditation) in tandem with conventional cancer treatment in order to connect her intentions for healing to the everyday reality of the extreme challenges that followed a diagnosis of incurable bone-marrow cancer. The book offers guidance and inspiration not only to cancer sufferers as they undergo the various stages of treatment but also to those supporting them, enabling them to understand better the experience of the cancer patient as well as the possibilities of mind–body empowerment. Part I allows the reader to gain inspiration and reassurance from Judy’s personal cancer story, as well as put into practice her Thought Work suggestions, which include revelatory questionnaires and journaling, creative exercises (such as drawing healing mandalas) and guided meditations. The aim is to give readers a profound understanding of the unity of body and mind and to promote healing and health on all levels of being. Part II gives a more detailed description of the Thought Work tools, including instructions for setting healing intentions, for using mindful breathing, for cultivating an attitude of gratitude and much more. The full texts of meditations for a range of cancer situations are given here. There are also step-by-step instructions for creating artworks. Throughout the book are examples of Judy’s own transformative artworks, which she offers along with the reminder that any creative self-expression can be healing – it is not the outcome that matters but the doing. Reviews: “Judy Erel has a survivor personality and shares her experience with us. I have learned from my patients that self-induced healing is not a lucky spontaneous event. It takes courage and the willingness to change yourself and your life so your body gets the message. The wisdom and knowledge that she has learned from her experience with cancer can be our guide and coach. I could write a book just pointing out the wisdom she shares with us. She has learned what healing your life and body is about versus waging a war against cancer. She guides us and shows us the path to healing and how to awaken our body to the joy of life and understand the value and wisdom of our consciousness.” —Bernie Siegel, MD author of Love, Medicine & Miracles and The Art of Healing About the Author: Judy Erel is a painter, a poet, an art teacher and a meditation guide. In 2009 she began providing guided meditations and mandala-drawing activities in the haematology and oncology departments of major Israeli hospitals supported by the Roche Pharmaceuticals ‘Roche Lends a Hand’ project. Her degrees include aBSc from Cornell University in human development, an MA in educational psychology from Hebrew University and a fine arts and art-teaching degree from Ramat Hasharon. |