Exploring Yoga and Meditation in Cancer Treatment

Applications in Cancer Treatment

In the 1980s, Dr. Hansa Raval, a cancer specialist and pathologist with the U.S. Army, made a bold statement during a seminar in Oklahoma City: a cure for cancer exists through the use of yoga.

Despite her claims, Dr. Raval was dismissed by many in the medical community. Her journey into non-conventional healing methods began after her work in cytotechnology — a field focused on early cancer detection — proved unfruitful in producing actual cures.

Raja Yoga and Its Impact

Dr. Raval studied for two years at the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University in India, where she observed the practice of Raja Yoga and meditation helping individuals recover from chronic ailments such as arthritis, headaches, and even cancer.

She emphasizes that this is not about chanting mantras, reciting scriptures, or joining a cult. According to her, it is a deep form of meditation rooted in understanding the soul — not biofeedback, not religion, but a “fool-proof” spiritual method.

Is Cancer Psychosomatic?

Dr. Raval presents a controversial yet intriguing hypothesis: 98% of all cancer is psychosomatic. She argues that conventional medicine ignores the mind’s role in healing and instead focuses solely on physical treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.

“Medical schools teach that the human being is only a body,” she said. “But the mind has the power to cure the body.”

Mind, Soul, and Healing

By definition, psychosomatic illnesses arise from the interaction of mind (or soul) and body. According to Dr. Raval:

"The soul creates the disease, but the body suffers. If the psyche creates the disease, the only way to cure it is through the psyche."

This philosophy aligns with findings in parapsychology, which increasingly point to the role of mental and spiritual factors in health outcomes.

About the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

This spiritual institution, now with branches in over 30 countries and consultative status with the United Nations, teaches peace, health, and happiness through Raja Yoga meditation.

Students are guided to reflect on their “soul world” — exploring personal causes behind illness, including stress, family dynamics, religious beliefs, and lifestyle habits. The focus is on healing the source rather than only treating the symptoms.

A Shift in Perspective

Dr. Raval’s perspective challenges the foundations of conventional medicine by asking us to look deeper — not just into the body, but into the soul. While her ideas may remain controversial in mainstream circles, they open an important conversation about the holistic treatment of cancer and the profound role of the human mind in healing.