In the Valley of the Shadow of Death: A Personal Encounter with Cancer

This article describes my personal encounter with cancer (multiple myeloma) and a stem cell transplant. I discuss the tension between the ego (and its fear) and the Self (and its centering, calming nature) that went through the whole experience, including the decision to give talks about my experience. After giving the basic facts about the disease and my treatment and recovery, I discuss my experience, reactions, the ways I worked with myself, and what gave me meaning during this time. I discuss my use of meditation, visualization, and active imagination as tools to access inner resources and the support and meaning I derived from the Jewish prayer, the Sh’ma, and Psalms 23 and 30.