Uploaded March 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
One night in 1991, chills, body aches, fever, and pathologic fatigue descended on me like a freight train. It was the peak of the flu season and I knew what I had. Despite the symptoms, the karate tournament I was watching energized me to the point where I felt as if I was competing in the tournament. I remember saying: I refuse to get sick. No way! It’s not going to happen! I became absolutely convinced that I would burn the virus right out of my system. I was on fire with conviction and energy! Two hours later, at the end of the tournament, all my symptoms were gone.
That evening was life-changing, because I then realized that my new, second career would be in the new field of mind-body medicine. I pursued the new field and worked with people living with chronic and even life-threatening medical conditions until closing my practice around 2012. Sadly, I was never successful in teaching the method to any of my clients. In fact, I tried it on two cases of pneumonia and various other illnesses of my own during the next twenty years, and sadly, I have never been able to replicate that night in 1991. The reason is simple. Trying is not powerful enough. That night when I cured myself of the flu, I was not trying. I was convinced that I would kill off the invading virus. When we know, we have the power to get well. Trying and wondering pale in comparison to knowing.
For more information on "How to Live Well With Chronic Illness", visit http://www.larryberkelhammer.com. Larry Berkelhammer is also the author of, "In Your Own Hands: New Hope for People with Chronic Medical Conditions: Mindfulness-Based Practices for Mastery and Wellbeing".
Get a FREE Preview of "In Your Own Hands..." larryberkelhammer.com/free-preview
The purpose of these videos and my website is to provide evidence-based information on how to live with self-care mastery. It is for all medical patients, caregivers, and advocates who want to learn how to collaborate with physicians to optimize the efficacy of your medical care.
One night in 1991, chills, body aches, fever, and pathologic fatigue descended on me like a freight train. It was the peak of the flu season and I knew what I had. Despite the symptoms, the karate tournament I was watching energized me to the point where I felt as if I was competing in the tournament. I remember saying: I refuse to get sick. No way! It’s not going to happen! I became absolutely convinced that I would burn the virus right out of my system. I was on fire with conviction and energy! Two hours later, at the end of the tournament, all my symptoms were gone.
That evening was life-changing, because I then realized that my new, second career would be in the new field of mind-body medicine. I pursued the new field and worked with people living with chronic and even life-threatening medical conditions until closing my practice around 2012. Sadly, I was never successful in teaching the method to any of my clients. In fact, I tried it on two cases of pneumonia and various other illnesses of my own during the next twenty years, and sadly, I have never been able to replicate that night in 1991. The reason is simple. Trying is not powerful enough. That night when I cured myself of the flu, I was not trying. I was convinced that I would kill off the invading virus. When we know, we have the power to get well. Trying and wondering pale in comparison to knowing.
For more information on "How to Live Well With Chronic Illness", visit http://www.larryberkelhammer.com. Larry Berkelhammer is also the author of, "In Your Own Hands: New Hope for People with Chronic Medical Conditions: Mindfulness-Based Practices for Mastery and Wellbeing".
Get a FREE Preview of "In Your Own Hands..." larryberkelhammer.com/free-preview
The purpose of these videos and my website is to provide evidence-based information on how to live with self-care mastery. It is for all medical patients, caregivers, and advocates who want to learn how to collaborate with physicians to optimize the efficacy of your medical care.
