A few words from Rob

A few months ago I sat on my back deck being interviewed by Boyd Sharpe- for footage we'll use for a documentary for people affected by brain tumours. At the end of the interview, Boyd wanted to the audience to know more about the personal side of my life so he said "Tell me about yourself."

I think he wanted me to say things like "I make an outdoor hockey rink in my front yard each year" or "I attend a karate class with my 15 year old son - it's a rare way to stay connected with my teenager" or "I love to ballroom dance with my wife."

But inevitably my mind goes blank when I'm asked to talk about myself. I don't think it's because I'm a humble person (I am blogging). It's more to do with a deeper spiritual feeling I have which is this:

There is no "me". Sure there's a body here that feels many sensations, and a personality for sure, and there's all these activities and thoughts and beliefs. But I can't identify the "I".

In the last few weeks I've had the urge to go to the library - and I found a book called the Translucent Revolution by Arjuna Ardagh. And I think it explains what I've been feeling. When asked the question 'who are you really?' I'm left with this incredible feeling of spaciousness and joy - a deep love for life itself.

Thankfully in this book many other supposedly normal people who are going through a spiritual transformation describe the same feeling/awareness.

So if you see me smiling while I'm flooding the rink, kicking my son, or floating over the dancefloor - you'll know why.

Please help us

Jan Morrison just sent us a wonderful blog - but being a physician, I'm still struggling to figure out how to respond to her. (Jan, you can email info@healingandcancer.org to contact us directly)

For anyone else interested in helping us grow - please visit http://healingandcancer.org/support-hcf

Thanks everyone for your interest.
robr

From Rob: Looking at the cards completed by participants at the end of the weekend I recently found this card:

I came... held tight by fear
I stumbled... my pain was too heavy
I wept... feeling less than whole
I leave... Comforted
... Affirmed
... Wanting to shine my light
... Knowing I am not alone
... Knowing I am whole

The power of asking

At a sunday morning of a weekend retreat, Tim has just told the story about being with his father (from the chapter called When Fear is the Teacher, in our book, The Healing circle). see http://healingandcancer.org/booksanddvds

Judi, then added to this story. Her husband's grandfather, John, was nearing the end of his life in hospital. His second wife was admitted at the same time, and though, too weak to safely make the trip to his wife’s room, he sensed that she was dying, and in the middle of the night, staggered to her bedside to be with her for her last breaths.

As it turns out, John’s one fear at the end of his 94 years was to die with no one at his side. At the end of family reunion/birthday party, Judi asked John if there was anything she could do. He asked her to stay with him for the next few days as all the other relatives were going home. In the middle of the third night, John began to have visions, and seemed to be having a conversation with an invisible friend. He reached out his hand saying “It’s now my time to do the talking.” (Judi thinks he was talking to his first wife (deceased) because she often dominated the conversations). John was transformed by the vision – he literally glowed with a warm and joyful light.
The next morning he told Judi that he was no longer scared of dying alone, and told her that she could go home. John died just a day later – waiting until his son was at his side.

Welcome

The Healing and Cancer Foundation equips people affected by cancer with an integrated and powerful approach to the cancer journey, helping them to heal at the level of body, mind and spirit.

Our integrated approach arose out of the ten-year collaboration an oncologist / Associate Professor of Medicine with a psychotherapist / spiritual teacher. We promote integrative oncology which means combining scientifically-based conventional medicine and health habits with wisdom-based healing practices and techniques. To facilitate recovery and reclaiming of wellness, we teach people to empower their bodies, settle their minds and nurture their spiritual lives. Ultimately, our work is about transformation and healing, and leading a life filled with love and purpose.

Namaste