An interview on cancer with Dr John F. Demartini
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Guest post by Dr Greg Schreeuwer.
Two months ago I posted a unique and paradigm-shifting approach to cancer on this website that received a lot of attention. Some great questions were asked and I wanted to do a follow up to help some of you get your questions answered in greater detail. Someone I know, who has a significant amount of knowledge and experience on the topic, sprung to mind.
I recently interviewed Dr John F. Demartini, a world-renowned human behavioural specialist, and I asked him if he’d be able to respond to some of your questions regarding this highly controversial topic. These were the answers he gave.
There are many people who have trouble understanding why children get cancer at such a young age. Can you shed some light on this?
It is believed by some scientists that it takes between five to seven mutations in key genes to initiate cancer. Given the rate at which mutations occur in the cells of human beings it is a near mathematical impossibility for a child to get cancer, and it’s why most adults do not get cancer until very late in life.
The fact that children do develop tumors suggests that different mechanisms are at work in the development of cancerous tumors in children and apparently also in adults. What enables the development of cancer in children may be very subtle and epigenetic in nature. In children’s cancer the genes, or networks of genes, that govern normal development are disturbed by rare alternative forms of certain key genes or by the combined effect of five or 10 rare gene variants all of which can be influenced epigenetically.
Epigenetic variables that could affect these key genes or networks of genes include neurohormonal, neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, neuroregulator alterations, teratogenic alterations, radiation induced alterations, nutritional biochemistry induced alterations, toxic heavy metal induced alterations, viral induced alterations and extreme emotional stress (neurohormonal) and a resultant immune suppression correlated with telomere shortening and aneuploidy. Extreme emotional reactions involving self, parents or siblings or others can initiate neurohormonal changes that can leave children vulnerable to initiators and promoters of cancer cell transformation.
A lot of people do EVERYTHING they can to get well from health problems and maintain an optimistic outlook, and still they don’t recover. What would that be evidence of? A lack of will?
Optimistic outlooks alone will not always balance out biochemistry, epigenetic and genetic alterations and in some cases are actually compensations to hidden complementary opposite feelings and unconscious motives that underlie many illnesses including cancer.
When I have asked patients with cancer what might be the benefits of their condition, an amazing assortment of startling hidden motives surface. Although this is not but one variable in the overriding initiation of the cancer, it is certainly a factor that is essential to address. We all have underlying unconscious motives.
When I have worked with people with “addictions”, what they stated on the outside and what their motives on the inside were did not match. Every decision we make is because we believe at that moment that there will be more advantages than disadvantages, more benefits than drawbacks. Most people are unaware of their unconscious motives and inner strategies to achieve certain outcomes. When there is obvious radiation exposure, parental genetic histories, toxicity and exogenous sources of genetic transformation then underlying emotions can add to the promotion of cancer. Emotional stress triggered suppression of immunity (CD 4 and CD 8 cells) can promote the progression of cancerous growth.
I have a close relative with Multiple Myeloma and was wondering if there is a lesson to be learnt from this sort of cancer?
To extract lessons from people experiencing cancer such as Multiple Myeloma I simply ask them, “What are they learning, or what benefits, insights or transformations have they already received from their experience with their cancer?” As people discover the benefit side of their cancer equation they reduce some of their added stress levels, which helps return their immune systems to more optimal function and helps them begin to discover the purpose and meaning out of their experience. They also uncover possible emotional initiators. In some cases they have discovered underlying emotions that were buried resulting from imbalanced perceptions and unrealistic expectations on themselves, others or the world in general that resulted in the ABCDs of negativity (Anger-Aggression/ Betrayal-Blame/Criticism-Challenge/Despair-Depression) which run down the immune and genomic repair systems and leave people vulnerable to cancerous transformation.
If someone came to you having been diagnosed with cancer, which area of their emotional life would you suggest they assess in order to remove any blockages that could prevent their healing?
Without a probing history that looks for specific initiating and promoting factors a general approach is necessary to extract meaning from their experience with cancer. I generally look for the many conscious and previously unconscious benefits being received from the discovery of the cancerous condition. I have also accumulated a series of possible emotional correlates found in various cancer cases over the years. I look to these possible correlates first in case they may serve (once addressed and dissolved) to alleviate some of the underlying emotional triggers factored into their cancerous equation.
What tools can you give those of us who have cancer to start to dissolve any emotional blockages or barriers that may be preventing our healing?
I primarily utilize the Demartini Method® to assist in identifying and clearing any underlying emotional charged events that may be hindering of the normal immune and genomic repair systems and initiating cancerous transformation.
The Demartini Method® is a breakthrough discovery and cutting edge personal transformation methodology which results in a new perspective and paradigm in thinking and feeling. It is the culmination of more than 39 years of research and studies in numerous disciplines including physics, philosophy, theology, metaphysics, psychology, neurology and physiology. The Demartini Method® is:
1. A systematic pre-determined series of mental questions directed toward the objective of assisting an individual to feel present, certainty and gratitude.
2. A procedure that neutralizes an individual’s emotional charges, balances his or her mental and physical reactions, opens his or her heart and clears his or her mind.
3. A continuous thinking process and writing action repeated over a course of time that results in a resolution of dis-equilibrated perceptions.
4. A reproducible science enabling individuals to discover the underlying order governing their apparent daily chaos.
What are the most common emotional issues that can result in the manifestation of cancer?
Any of the 15 primary unrealistic expectations, fantasies or delusions can lead to the ABCDs of Negativity (Anger / Aggression, Blame / Betrayal, Criticism / Challenge, Despair / Depression) and any of these combinations can act as both an initiator and a further promoter of cancerous internal environmental states.
1. Unrealistic expectation upon others to live outside universal laws (having a balance of complementary opposite traits)
2. Unrealistic expectation upon others to live outside their own values
3. Combination of fantasies/delusions 1 and 2
4. Unrealistic expectation upon yourself to live outside universal laws
5. Unrealistic expectation upon yourself to live outside your own values
6. Combination of fantasies/delusions 4 and 5
7. Combination of fantasy/delusion combinations 3 and 6.
8. Unrealistic expectation upon God to live outside universal laws
9. Unrealistic expectation upon God to live inside your own values
10. Combination of fantasies/delusions 8 and 9
11. Combination of fantasy/delusion combinations 3, 6 and 10
12. Unrealistic expectation upon mechanical objects to live outside
universal laws
13. Unrealistic expectation upon mechanical objects to live inside your
own values
14. Combinations of fantasies/delusions 12 and 13
15. All the above
How is the lymphatic system affected? In relation to blockages and leading to cancer. In particular on the left side of the body?
The lymphatic system is vital to any degree of wellness maintenance. It is involved in immune cellular differentiation, activation and distribution. It is an immunity governing clean up system. Clouded, congested and stagnant lymphatic circulation impedes immune surveillance and natural cellular immunity. Adequate water, breathing, nutrients and physical activity are essential for lymphatic enhanced wellness states.
Do you feel it is the chemo/radiation-xrays that fuels the cancer?
Improper utilisation of chemotherapy or radiation therapy can lead to complicating toxic or fibrous side effects. In some cases these forms of treatments can, if not applied cautiously, lead to further cancerous growth or the onset of new forms of cancer. The pros and cons of each traditional and alternative healing art need to be determined and presented. Of course in some cases both of these forms of treatment have also saved selective lives. They key is appropriate usage and dosage.
It appears that on any chosen path (orthodox, alternative, diet, praying, “doing nothing”) there are survivors and people that perish. Would that point to the healing occurring somewhere entirely different regardless of the medicinal/ spiritual protocol?
Returning to a state of wellness is ultimately a multifactorial journey involving both the body with its many biochemical processes and the mind with its influence on neuroendocrine and epigenetic governance. Many known healing arts exist. They all have a place and they each initiate favorable documented results. Ultimately though, the internal healing powers of the body create the most significant results. There are sometimes unconscious motives and strategies that people use for their secondary gains involved in the disease generating process. Some use their disease as a way of fulfilling other seemingly unrelated motives. Mental/emotional factors must be factored into the wellness equation if true and lasting wellness is to be obtained.
Could you outline how you would approach someone who either has an aggressive cancer or a slow growing cancer?
If accurate diagnostic certainty has pre-established the stage of the cancer I would first identify what someone’s primary beliefs are concerning their choice of potential cancer treatment approaches. Some people strongly believe in traditional allopathic approaches to treatment. Others prefer to utilize more natural alternative approaches, at least initially. Since healing responses are affected by placebo and beliefs these are wise to initially consider. Of course if highly emotional charged biases toward or away from either of these approaches occur a more thorough education is in order prior to deciding the approach so as to moderate the bias. Well-educated people make wiser choices.
I would then have them begin establishing (as mention above) their list of benefits, insights and opportunities that have emerged and are emerging from the discovery of and now initial treatment of their cancerous condition. This helps reduce their stress levels and helps them discover the meaning and purpose of their condition. Having them see things on the way and not in the way enhances their wellness.
Extracting meaning from their condition enhances recovery and longevity.
I would then probe into their history and look for any highly charged emotional events that might have affected their immune systems and epigenetics and begin utilizing Sides A, B and C of the Demartini Method® on each of them, dissolving any unrealistic expectation, imbalanced perceptions and resultant emotional charges that may in any way be leading to a stress response, inflammation, or metazoan II and I stem cell regressions via distant neuroendocrine or paracrine local signal feedbacks.
I would monitor the emotions along the way and clear any strong emotions that might emerge before they compound any further immune suppression and epigenetic cancerous progression.
I would encourage any doctor involved in the care of the person experiencing cancer to be forthright with information on the progression or regression of the cancer or its stages. This is so that week-to-week decision-making can be made more wisely.
I would encourage thorough follow through on whatever care program was initiated.
I would have the individual with cancer communicate their love and appreciation to all those they may not have expressed such feelings to. Love and gratitude are still the most potent wellness promoters known.
I would have them identify their highest value or priority or purpose in life and have them focus their intention what is most meaningful and inspiring.
What did you think of this interview and Dr Demartini’s insights into cancer? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
Author bio: Dr. Greg Schreeuwer practiced as a chiropractor in Sydney, Australia for 4.5 years. He is now non-practicing. During that time, he received training in several areas of complementary healthcare including Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Principles, Reiki, N.A.E.T. (Nambudripads’ Allergy Elimination Technique), N.E.T. (Neuro Emotional Technique), N.C.R. (Neurocranial Restructuring) and he has attended Dr. John F. Demartini’s “Breakthrough Experience Programs”. He has also has a special interest in metaphysics and quantum mechanics. He has always been fascinated by the inner workings of almost everything that exists in the universe and he has constantly striven, through his own self-development and research, to uncover these underlying mechanisms. He is a focused and dedicated person who loves helping people uncover their path. The challenges he has faced to allow him to reach this point in his life are numerous yet they have been incredible blessings, opening his mind to the possibilities and endless opportunities that exist within people and within the world. His dream and hope is to help every person on the planet reveal their divine purpose by showing people how their dis-ease is not a limitation but a lesson that could liberate, inspire and empower them.
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My husband’s uncle was diagnosed with aggressive Leukemia, I am told he is 62. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy. What can I tell him? Is it too late now he has started chemo?
Hi Lucky,
I couldn’t give you a complete answer to your question. I would have to know more about his current condition, his prognosis, treatment protocols, if there is metastatic spread and so on. The more information, the better the answer I could provide.
What I would definitely do is what Dr Demartini has suggested in the above interview. I’d probe him to look for how his cancer, the diagnosis and the current treatment and prognosis is serving him. What lessons is his body trying to reveal to him? The chemo can provide us with time by slowing down the progressin of the cancer thereby providing an opportunity to uncover the underlying motives and intentions for the cancer. This could ultimately strengthen the bodies ability to transform the cancer and boost immune function.
One thing to always remember is that there is always a reason why we receive our individual challenges. The key is taking the time to look for those reasons.
Dr Greg Schreeuwer recently posted..Is altruism the road to fulfilment?
Fascinating – thanks Jess / Dr Greg – I lost my very fit, healthy and active mother to cancer in June last year; and then my very fit and active (but not as ‘health’ aware) 50 yo husband was diagnosed with an aggressive lymphatic cancer in July – he’s currently undergoing chemo. Although we’re confident he’ll make it into remission, there can be no certainty; and beyond remission, the real challenge will begin (“I had cancer, I survived, I’m invincible”; or “I had cancer, I survived, but it’s going to come back”; or “I had cancer, I survived, I’m so grateful that I had it because……”) . Every cancer patient has the right to deal with their journey their own way; but I couldn’t agree more that emotional knowledge and ‘inner peace’ (not just emotional control) is every bit as important to physical well being as diet and exercise is. I’ll be looking into the Demartini Method® – it sounds like a much needed and under-estimated wellness tool for all of us.
Hi Sandra,
I would highly recommend looking into the Demartini Method®. It has been and continues to be an invaluable tool that I use on a regular basis. Dr Demartini comes to Australia every year to do The Breakthrough Experience program, which is his introductory program. In that program you will experience significant paradigm shifts as well learning how to use the Demartini Method® and apply in various life situations.
One thing you could do with your husband is to work out with him how his cancer is serving him. Work out what his underlying motives are for having it and that could definitely take a lot of the stress out of the situation and give his body an opportunity to heal and recover quickly.
Hi Sandra,
I have an alternative doctor who could help your husband after he is done with his chemo so that you can do your best to optimize his physical health and ensure the disease doesn’t return. I know this post is more about mental/spiritual health but just thought you should know. His web site is http://www.dr-gonzalez.com/index.htm and you can read about my experience with him and cancer at http://curingmyeloma.blogspot.com/.
Light and love,
Theresa
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Interesting interview. Of course most of What Dr Martini says is way above my head!!!
But, I did his Breakthrough Experience in 2008 and have never looked back. I used to suffer from depression and since completing the weekend have not ever since then had a day’s depression. Of all the numerous courses I did in 2007/2008 his is the only programme I would recommend.
Cindy
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My mother had cancer and passed in 1999. She had quit smoking 15 years prior. She was a victim of abuse by my step-dad for many years, as was I. I have attended Dr. Demartini’s Breakthrough Experience, and his knowledge of the mind/body connection has helped me immensely! I blamed my dad for my mother’s death, and have worked hard to overcome his death that followed three years later. My fear is that because of the emotional trauma experienced in my background of abuse and the entanglements of emotional ties to my mother and our mutual infatuation with each other, that I will create the same pattern and develop cancer. If I postulated it, does it become a reality?
Hi Barbara,
Cancer usually happens to people, as a last attempt by the body, in order to help them value themselves and follow their true purpose in life. The more you fear something, the more you can turn your fear into a reality. I would certainly recommend dissolving the fear. If you have a fear, that you will develop the same patterns and end of with cancer, I would suggest asking yourself a question. How would that benefit you if that actually happened? Look for at least 20-50 ways that could benefit you. What would you learn from that event? What would be the drawbacks if it never happened at all? Then look for a time in your life when this fear actually came true, but maybe in a different form and ask yourself how it benefitted you then and what would be the drawbacks if it didn’t. The more inline you are with your values and the more you pursue what you love in life, the more balance you’ll have in your physiology. Cancer is a tool used by the body to create self-preservation. The more you understand what your body wants you to preserve and you make every attempt to empower that, it is very possible to transcend and transform a dis-ease or the possibility of one.
If you’re following in your mothers footsteps and in her values and not in your own, it is possible to manifest a similar outcome. That could be an epigenetic situation. When your beliefs and mindset are similar, that can affect or impact cancer promoting genes and switch them on. Start focussing on who you are, what’s most meaningful to you. Redo the values assessment in the Breakthrough manual to clearly refine what they are and pursue what you love. If you haven’t done this already, do a collapse on your mother, your abusers and I’d recommend doing side C on your mother and your father.
If there’s anything I can do to assist you, you can contact me directly through my website.
Dr Greg Schreeuwer recently posted..Transforming grief and find relief.
I thank a special friend that pasted this along. My Mother passed away from pancreatic cancer.
About 5 years prior she had a radical mastectomy. They told me there was no way of knowing if the pancreatic cancer had metastasized from the breast. Isn’t there a way to determine this? Her cancer was also somehow connected to a growth on her celiac artery. She had none of the risk factors for this terrible cancer (that is why I ask about the breast cancer). After being dx with pancreatic cancer, at stage 4, she survived 9 months!
You had mentioned attitude in one of the articles. When I had to tell her it was terminal, she and my Dad lived with a very strong, hopeful attitude. When she got worse she said she was ready to die if that was God’s will. But I KNOW she was scared and held on for some reason. Near the end an experimental drug was released. She knew it couldn’t help, but still said she had made ‘piece’ and was prepared to die. Do you hear this often, and do you believe it? When treatment was stopped because it was no longer effective I asked her oncologist what my parent said. Her remark was “don’t ask, don’t tell”. Is that common? I’m 54, my Mom passed when I was 48. These questions still haunt me. One in particular, the probability of the breast cancer metasticing. Breast cancer is very common on both sides of my family, but I still fear having the gene test. Cancer itself is prominent – my brother had bladder cancer and he was lucky to have the surgery where the bladder is removed and a new one is made from a section of his intestine. I realize my questions are not as critical as other posted comments, but I need to know what I should do to help prevent this terrible disease. I don’t have any known risk factors to these cancers at all – never put a cigaret to my lips, have never worked in an environment around the chemicals associated to bladder. cancer, never been on birth control, etc
Hi Nancy,
One of the many things I’ve learnt and discovered through my experience with disease is that where it manifests is a tell tale sign of underlying psychology. People who tend to develop problems with the pancreas have lost the sweetness in their lives. They perceive something is missing for them and as a consequence are under the impression they are living a sour life. The pancreas is directly responsible for breaking down sugars and sending them to the liver to be processed into glucose, which is used as energy for the body as well as food for the brain. When a person isn’t ingesting into their body or their minds things that add sweetness to their lives which will ultimately fuel the body and mind with food and energy to grow and become vital, the physiology involved with these processes can all become affected.
As for the breast, it all depends on which side. The breast is primarily used for nurturing or feeding, whether that be nurturing or ‘feeding’ others too much or nurturing or ‘feeding’ yourself more than others. There always needs to be a balance in what you do for the world and what you allow yourself to do for you. The more you can maintain that homeostasis within and without, the less chance you have of manifesting something like cancer. Cancer is the body’s last ditch attempt/effort to help you reclaim your life, get in touch with your intuition and be who you are, not who you believe or perceive you should be. Cancer is only perceived as a terrible disease because most of us choose not to see how it serves us, directly or indirectly. When you can see how it served your mother and how it also served you, you may understand and realise why it all happened.
The sooner you get connected to your true values and empower yourself to be who you are, the greater your chances are of achieving the life you’d love to live.
Dr Greg Schreeuwer recently posted..Transforming grief and find relief.
Excellent article and very insightful interview. I attended Breakthrough last year and have been a student of Dr Demartini for a while and have found his work and the Demartini Method very transformational. Thank you Jessica and Dr Greg for sharing!