Abstract
Spirit-Body Healing was a hermeneutic, phenomenological research study that examined the lived experience of art and healing (using Max Van Manen's method of researching the lived experience) of 63 participants over a 4-year period. Data included taped interviews with artists and hospitalized cancer patients who could articulate their lived experience of art and healing, observations of artists at work, journal writings, and material from the Arts In Medicine program at Shands Hospital, University of Florida. The researcher interpreted data through Van Manen's method of writing as inquiry to elucidate the themes of the participants' experiences. The themes that emerged were (1) going into the darkness, (2) going elsewhere, (3) making art as a turning point, (4) slipping through the veil, (5) feeling the healing energy of love and compassion, (6) surrendering to the process, (7) knowing the truth, and (8) experiencing transcendence. Understanding the power of art to heal mind, body, and spirit has important implications for cancer nursing practice, and nurses can provide the leadership and commitment to integrate the arts into patient care.