Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or licensed medical professional. The information shared here is based on my personal experiences, training in traditional healing practices, and observations over years of working with individuals on their recovery journeys. This article is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for guidance tailored to your specific needs.
From an early age, I found myself drawn to Native Americans, which eventually led me to Oklahoma at the age of seventeen, where I found myself living among a community of Kiowa Indians. I attended peyote meetings with the Kiowa elders, and within a few years, I began my training with Horace Daukei, one of their last surviving traditional doctors. During my apprenticeship, Horace transmitted portions of his healing powers to me and then had me go through the vision quest, a Native practice that typically involves fasting alone in the mountains for four days and nights without food or water, to earn the right to work with these gifts of healing.
After a few years of training with Horace, I returned to college to reassemble myself. During my apprenticeship, Horace he often had me assist him, yet I was hesitant to begin working on my own. In conversations with friends, I would share what I had experienced during my time with Horace. Occasionally, they would ask if I could assist them with various health-related issues or emotional challenges they were facing. It became very much a “learn-as-I-go” process, but as I worked with them and received their feedback, my confidence gradually increased.
At thirty, I felt a strong pull to return to the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma. Parts of the vision quest have, in many ways, been like a near-death experience, reliving past traumas and other deeply wounding events, with portions of my life flashing rapidly before my eyes. Yet, I could feel an extraordinarily powerful presence working within me, enabling me to process these lived experiences and all the highly charged emotions attached to them. On the other side, I would emerge feeling lighter, more resilient, and with access to greater resources. Another profound aspect of these vision quests was that the power grew progressively stronger, and I would receive additional gifts of healing.
As my own traumatic wounds healed, I became more engaging and started getting out a lot more, meeting and interacting with many people. As I learned about the challenges others were facing, I would offer to assist them, and word gradually spread, leading to an increasing number of referrals. People began seeking help for a wide range of issues. Initially, my knowledge was very limited, so I would simply say, “We'll do the best we can.” Yet, many people experienced significant benefits, often telling me, “I feel this is helping, I want to continue.” They would then share their experiences with friends or ask me to work with their family members, further expanding the circle of those seeking my assistance.
Traditional Native American doctors, much like specialists in Western allopathic medicine, often had their own areas of specialization. These traditional doctors were renowned among their own people and allied tribes for their gifts of healing, and it was common for individuals to travel great distances to seek their intervention.
As my practice grew, people began seeking me out for a wide range of issues, including cancer. Although my knowledge was initially very limited, I carefully observed how these conditions responded to the work, noting not only the outcomes but also how responses varied from one individual to the next. Additionally, I have devoted considerable time to reading and listening, continually deepening my understanding to better serve those who come to me for assistance.
While I have gained an enormous amount of experience over the past three and a half decades, I recognize that not all conditions respond equally. There are certain conditions that tend to respond quite well to the work I do. However, when it comes to cancer and other degenerative disease processes, I approach with caution. I don’t make claims or promises, and I’m careful not to build false hopes. My goal is always to assist to the best of my ability while being honest and transparent about the possibilities.
Mitigating the Complications of Chemo, Radiation, and Surgery
The individual healing sessions I facilitate are deeply restorative, helping to get the organs and systems of the physical body back on track and functioning optimally. Complications resulting from cancer treatments, whether chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, can include symptoms of neuropathy such as pain, numbness, and burning sensations. Many also experience difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and physical depletion, which can exacerbate their overall sense of exhaustion. Additionally, “chemo brain” or cancer-related cognitive impairment, often caused by direct neurotoxicity, inflammation, or the cancer itself, can manifest as memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, and slower mental processing. Many individuals I work with show tremendous improvement in these areas following the healing sessions.
I had known Janet since my time living in New Mexico during the 90s. She initially reached out to ask if I would return to New Mexico to work with her daughter, who was experiencing complications from lap-band surgery. However, before I could get to Albuquerque a few months later, Janet herself was diagnosed with a tumor in her occipital lobe. The tumor was removed, and she underwent laser treatments to eradicate any remaining cancerous tissue. The combination of surgery and laser treatments left her with vision impairment, meaning she couldn’t read, and she was also unable to stand, walk, or drive.
During my stay in Albuquerque, Janet had me work with her ten times. By the end of our sessions, her vision had improved enough for her to read again, and she regained the ability to stand, walk, and drive.
The Regenerative Power of Indigenous Healing Practices
Sharon, in Overland Park, Kansas, was suffering from bone marrow cancer and had been told by her physician that she had two to three years to live. She lived twelve, much of that time relatively symptom-free. The sessions were extending her life, and I’m confident she could have lived even longer if we had the opportunity to work together more consistently. Unfortunately, part of the challenge was that I could only return to the Kansas City area twice a year.
Sara, who lived in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, had undergone treatment for both breast and uterine cancer. During the time we were working together, her cancer went into remission. She would periodically share updates about her blood test results, which were essential for monitoring her condition. She consistently reported that her “numbers were good,” a reassuring sign that her test results fell within the desired range, reflecting a positive trajectory in her recovery journey.
In fact, Sara remained in remission throughout the ten years we worked together. Tragically, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, she contracted the virus, and her immune system collapsed, ultimately resulting in her passing due to complications.
Far beyond the scope of what many consider possible in our modern world, Indigenous healers act as conduits, allowing other forces or beings to work through them to facilitate profound healing within the body and mind—healing that would not otherwise occur. During the individual sessions, these beings work through me, directly engaging with the body and mind of the person I’m assisting.
While I don’t fully understand the entirety of the process, I can see and feel a regenerative effect taking place. This often includes activating the body’s natural defenses and, in some cases, halting the spread of cancerous cells. In many instances, the cancer is either held at bay, goes into remission, or is eradicated entirely. As the sessions progress, their bodies and minds become noticeably stronger and more resilient, reflecting the profound and transformative power of the healing process.
Crossing the Threshold: Supporting the Journey Home
On occasion, I have assisted people in making their transition. There have been times when individuals have reached out to me—either the person undergoing treatment or a friend or loved one during the later stages of cancer.
One such instance involved a woman whose mother was suffering from pancreatic cancer and enduring excruciating pain despite being on the maximum dose of morphine. During the session, I could feel the mother “digesting” a lifetime of experiences. Afterward, she was able to speak coherently with me, her daughter, and her son-in-law.
The next day, the daughter shared with me that her mother was comfortable, relatively pain-free, and at peace. With some assistance, she had even managed to bathe. Later that day, as the hours passed, her mother began experiencing shortness of breath. Moments later, she made her transition, gracefully leaving her body.
Among Native Americans and other groups of Indigenous peoples, death is seen as a natural part of life. As I work with individuals in the later stages of cancer, or anyone, for that matter, who is nearing the threshold of crossing over, much of my focus is on helping them address loose ends. This often involves processing a lifetime of experiences, putting it all into perspective, and guiding them to a place where they feel safe and at peace. The goal is to help them reach a good space, where they are ready to take this next step along their journey with a sense of acceptance and serenity.
The phrase “No one gets out of here alive” is often attributed to Doors vocalist Jim Morrison. At some point, every one of us will make our transition. While I’ve helped many individuals navigate the later stages of life and find peace in their final moments, there have also been numerous instances where the sessions have brought about profound healing. Some have regained their health, enabling them to continue living meaningful and productive lives, often with a renewed sense of purpose.
Healing the Deep Emotional Wounds to Facilitate Recovery and Resilience
While some mistakenly claim that all cancer is emotionally based, I strongly disagree. Such perspectives can perpetuate a harmful narrative, instilling shame and leading those struggling with cancer to blame themselves, feeling as though they are somehow at fault.
It’s important to acknowledge that genetic factors can predispose some individuals to cancer or increase their likelihood of developing it. Additionally, we live in a time of heightened exposure to environmental toxins and other harmful chemicals, which further increase our susceptibility to cancer.
That being said, unprocessed or distressing emotions can act as a contributing factor. Emotions such as hurt, anger, rage, resentment, and grief, when held within the body, can compromise the immune system, making it less effective in protecting us. Addressing these emotions is an important step in supporting overall health and resilience.
Healing extends far beyond the physical body. Many of the individuals I've worked with have shared deeply painful accounts, which sometimes include details of domestic abuse, a spouse engaging in repeated affairs, or a child lying, stealing, or even draining their bank account with a debit card—acts of betrayal and abuse that cut deeply. In some instances, I may learn of these experiences through a friend or family member rather than directly from the individual themselves.
For some, there’s a reluctance to fully acknowledge what has happened, to face the reality of the situation, or to allow themselves to feel and process the emotions these experiences bring to the surface. In my work, I strive to demonstrate sensitivity while guiding them into these challenging spaces, helping them build the capacity to confront these issues directly and work through their emotional responses. This process is crucial for their healing, allowing them to process the pain, transform their experiences, and ultimately move forward with greater resilience and clarity.
I do this partly through discussion. I then guide them through a series of intensive meditation practices that engage their body and mind’s innate healing intelligence. Additionally, during the work on the table, a healing presence works through me, bringing the individual into a profoundly deep, often dreamlike state. In this state, they are literally “digesting” a lifetime of lived experiences, along with a backlog of painful emotions and accumulated stresses.
As they emerge from this process, they often experience a growing sense of resolution and emotional resilience, along with a newfound lightness. They may feel empowered to make amends, resolve long-standing conflicts, or find clarity about their relationships. This can sometimes mean letting go of toxic relationships or, at the very least, establishing healthy and appropriate boundaries.
Food Choices that Support Healing and Nourish the Body
When it comes to cancer recovery diet and nutrition are also critical factors to consider. In fact, I have often been horrified to see what some of the individuals I've worked with were consuming on a daily basis—foods with little to no nutritional value, and in many cases, foods that actively feed the cancer, such as refined sugar and heavily processed products.
While I am not a nutritionist, I make a concerted effort to encourage those I work with to clean up their diet by eliminating refined sugars and other processed foods. I believe this is an important foundational step in supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
As I continue to learn and grow in my understanding, I do not advocate for a single specific diet. However, I strive to guide individuals toward making healthier food choices and exploring dietary approaches that may support cancer recovery. These might include incorporating elements of the ketogenic and anti-inflammatory diets, as well as organic raw fruits and vegetables, green juices made with ingredients like kale, celery, cucumber, and spinach, and specific supplements. My approach varies depending on the individual and their unique needs. For instance, someone undergoing chemotherapy who experiences nausea and struggles to keep food down might benefit from foods that are gentler on the digestive system and easier for the body to assimilate. My goal is to empower those I work with to take proactive steps toward improving their nutrition and overall well-being. A key part of this process involves helping them develop the sensitivity and body awareness that enables them to listen to their bodies, to gain a deep, intuitive sense of what their body needs not only to heal but to truly thrive.
There’s so much new information becoming available, and I’m hearing more about individuals who are not just recovering from cancer but flourishing. Being solution-oriented, I keep myself open, reading, listening, and having conversations about foods, supplements, and effective therapies. For instance, a friend of mine’s father was suffering from prostate cancer that had metastasized. My friend was doing enormous amounts of research on foods, supplements, and therapies, which he implemented with his father. His father’s cancer went into remission, and he went on to live to the age of 81.
Charting the Path Ahead
Being highly sensitive, it pains me to see people suffering, whether it’s from cancer, other degenerative disease processes, a debilitating physical injury, or other forms of trauma. The thought in my mind is always: what can we do to make this better, to improve the quality of life? Healing is not just about surviving but about rediscovering the strength to live fully, meaningfully, and with greater clarity and purpose. It's also about embracing life's many challenges, and finding light even in the darkest moments.
If you feel ready to take the next step on your healing journey, I’d be honored to support you. Together, we can create a space for transformation and growth. You can reach me through my webpage: https://benoofana.com/contact/, or feel free to leave a message on my Google Voice number. While I may not check it every day, I’ll respond as soon as I can.
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