Shaman craft at the Moffitt Cancer Center

I am spending hours at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida this summer. This is a major research and treatment center for cancer, they are are on the cutting edge of clinical trials. But there is also a recognition that the person is mind, body and spirit, and so addition to chemotherapy, radiation and surgery there are many other ways of treatment, and supporting treatment. These include chaplaincy, art programs, support groups, and programs based on some ancient spiritual disciplines. The Mediation and Guided Imagery offered at the Moffitt go beyond distress and anxiety management, they include harnessing the healing power of the human pysche through the power of visioning that is guided by mediation. This is one of the most ancient ways of healing, known to the shamans of old.

But the Moffitt is a scientific institute and gets its funding for its science, so this is the way it talks about this program.

Meditation and Guided Imagery Sessions

Weekly meditation and guided imagery sessions for patients and family members are facilitated by trained staff in the Psychosocial Clinic. These sessions are offered to enable participants to learn successful tools for managing distress and anxiety effectively.