16 Quotes & Sayings By Bernie Siegel

Dr. Bernie Siegel, MD, is an international best selling author whose pioneering research in the field of psychobiology has helped thousands of people worldwide to find relief from their chronic physical and emotional symptoms. His books have been published in 12 languages and he has received numerous awards for his work. He is an active practicing psychobiologist who holds a medical degree, a PhD in psychology, and a Masters in Public Health Read more

He is also the father of two adult children and currently lives in Boca Raton Beach, Florida with his wife of 47 years Debbie, his daughter Julie, and granddaughter Aria.

1
If God came in and said "I want you to be happy for the rest of your life " what would you do? Bernie Siegel
2
If you watch how nature deals with adversity continually renewing itself you can't help but learn. Bernie Siegel
3
Diseases can be our spiritual flat tires - disruptions in our lives that seem to be disasters at the time but end by redirecting our lives in a meaningful way. Bernie Siegel
4
Feelings aroused by the touch of someone's hand, the sound of music, the smell of a flower, a beautiful sunset, a work of art, love, laughter, hope and faith - all work on both the unconscious and the conscious aspects of the self, and they have physiological consequences as well. Bernie Siegel
5
What I try to get physically healthy people to understand is that they're going to die someday. There is no way out. And dying isn't failure, but not living is, so make use of your time. Don't keeping waiting. Bernie Siegel
6
God wants us to know that life is a series of beginnings, not endings. Just as graduations are not terminations, but commencements. Creation is an ongoing process, and when we create a perfect world where love and compassion are shared by all, suffering will cease. Bernie Siegel
7
Society should see parenting as a public health issue and help parents to bring their children up feeling loved. We have birthing classes, but no parenting classes. The latter is desperately needed if we are to avoid self-destruction. Bernie Siegel
8
Being a survivor doesn't mean being strong - it's telling people when you need a meal or a ride, company, whatever. It's paying attention to heart wisdom, feelings, not living a role, but having a unique, authentic life, having something to contribute, finding time to love and laugh. All these things are qualities of survivors. Bernie Siegel
9
I wish medical schools helped us to analyze our healthy and unhealthy reasons for becoming doctors. Bernie Siegel
10
Love and peace of mind do protect us. They allow us to overcome the problems that life hands us. They teach us to survive... to live now... to have the courage to confront each day. Bernie Siegel
11
Give someone who has faith in you a placebo and call it a hair growing pill, anti-nausea pill or whatever, and you will be amazed at how many respond to your therapy. Bernie Siegel
12
I believe the reason we sleep is not just to allow our body to rest but that it is to allow this inner wisdom to speak to us through symbols. This includes the body or somatic problems as well as psychological ones. Dreams and drawings are useful in diagnosing physical conditions. Bernie Siegel
13
Inspiration is the greatest gift because it opens your life to many new possibilities. Each day becomes more meaningful, and your life is enhanced when your actions are guided by what inspires you. Bernie Siegel
14
The spiritual message is we lose our lives in pleasing others; if you're the good child who pleases Mommy and Daddy but internalizes anger, you're setting yourself up for disease. Bernie Siegel
15
The question is not, will there be difficulties and threats to our existence, but how will we deal with them and what can we learn from them. How can they become blessings to society, as a life threatening disease is to an individual, by teaching us about the meaning of our life and existence? Bernie Siegel