Meditation & IC

Steps Towards Relaxation and Healing

Specifically for IC'ers

1. Sit comfortably with your spine reasonably straight. Sitting in a chair or on the floor is preferred and avoid crossing your arms and legs.

2. Close your eyes. Starting with your feet, tighten the muscles in your toes, hold for a few seconds and then release. Move up to your ankles and calves, tighten the muscles, hold for a few seconds and release. Move up the body in this manner slowly and as you release each muscle you should begin to feel more and more relaxed. Do this until you have reached the top of your head.

3. With your eyes closed, visualize a large ball of radiant golden light a few inches over your head. Take a slow deep breath and visualize that ball of light gently descending through your crown, filling your entire being with golden light. Imagine this light to be your Life Force and a source of healing.

4. Imagine yourself absorbing that light as it nourishes, cleanses and heals your whole being, dissolving all blocked and toxic energies.

5. Now begin picturing your bladder as the light passes through it. Imagine your bladder as it would look healthy with a smooth surface and soft-pink color.

6. As you slowly move through the inside of your bladder you may begin picturing areas that are inflamed or irritated. If this happens, focus your attention on that area, call on the golden light to pass through again and imagine the redness and irritation fading away until the healthy, smooth tissue is all that remains. Do not leave this unhealthy area until you have successfully 'healed' it in your mind.

7. Spend a few more moments and visualize yourself in a state of perfect, radiant health. Take another slow, deep breath and open your eyes.

Relaxation

1. Sit comfortably with your spine reasonably straight.

2. Allow your eyes to rest comfortably downward, gazing softly, but not focused on anything.

3. Without closing your eyes completely, let your eyelids drop to a level that feels most comfortable.

4. Continue gazing downward..the act of gazing is your primary focus (rather than the area at which you are gazing). You may notice your breathing becoming more rhythmic.

5. It's okay to let your attention drift a bit. If your eyes become very heavy, it's okay to let them close. If you notice you've come out of your relaxed state, simply bring your attention back to your relaxed downward gaze.

Preparing for Surgery

• 6. With your eyes closed begin to imagine each procedure of your surgery. Remind yourself that each procedure is helpful to your bladder, not harmful. If you sense any pain or discomfort, stop where you are and begin again.

• 7. If you are having a cystoscopy / hydro procedure, imagine the water solution to be very healing and helpful and that it will flush away any bad tissue leaving your bladder healthy and smooth.

• 8. Continue through the surgery (in your mind) and draw that golden, healing light to any areas that are irritated or inflamed. Focus on these areas and mentally heal them as you did in the previous exercise.

• 9. Imagine that the surgery is performed with great ease and success and you are left in a state of perfect, radiant health.

• 10. Take a slow, deep breath and open your eyes.