IAN GAWLER

The Dragon's Blessing

by GUY ALLENBY

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New softcover book, 342 pages. Published 2010

Before Lance Armstrong and his bike, there was Ian Gawler and his inspirational fight for survival against cancer. At the end of 1974 Dr Ian Gawler, an ambitious young veterinarian and athlete, developed bone cancer in his right leg. The leg was amputated at the hip. The following year, the cancer spread to his pelvis and chest. Gawler was told that nothing could be done for him and, at his lowest ebb, that he had only weeks to live.

Gawler refused to give up, and began studying meditation and following a strict diet, pursuing an intense regime of research, introspection and personal development.
Against all odds and prognoses, his cancer began to retreat and he was eventually declared clear of cancer in 1978.

In 1984 Ian Gawler's legendary bestseller, You Can Conquer Cancer, was published. It went on to sell nearly 200 000 copies in over 13 languages and continues to inspire people all around the world. Today Ian Gawler is a world-renowned pioneer in the therapeutic application of mind/body medicine and meditation and The Gawler Foundation, a residential program for cancer patients and their families, continues to offer residential programs and day workshops and is run by a staff of 40. Thousands of people have passed through The Foundation's doors and there are countless stories by patients of lives lengthened, quality of life improved and cancers in remission.

Ian Gawler has been approached by a number of people over the years offering to write his biography, but he's never agreed - until now. Over hours of interviews and in extracts from his diaries, Gawler reveals for the first time many aspects of his amazing story. Ian Gawler: The Dragon's Blessing is an honest, unflinching and illuminating portrait of an unorthodox, compassionate and courageous Australian, whose own journey has been an inspiration to the lives of so many others. This book will inspire many more.


About the author

Guy Allenby is a Sydney-based journalist. He graduated from university in Canberra and began his career writing about rock music. During a seven-year stint at the Sydney Morning Herald he wrote on subjects ranging from architecture and design to travel, television and health. He was also the editor of the SMH section Domain in its very early days. His first book, Eight Great Houses, was published in 2002. Guy has also written for The Australian and a number of national and international titles.

A bit more about Ian Gawler

Dr Ian Gawler's story offers hope and inspiration to people everywhere. The self help techniques that he developed have helped many to convert hope into sustained health and peace of mind. A pioneer in Mind/Body Medicine, Dr Gawler is known for his clarity and good humour. With a gift for translating ancient wisdom into a modern context, Ian has played a major part in popularizing meditation and other mind techniques in the western world.

Not content with just surviving, Dr Gawler began to share these principles with others. The cancer support group he began in 1981 was the first group in Australia to actively address the needs of patients and their families in coping with, and attempting to overcome, the many challenges cancer presents. The Gawler Foundation was formed in 1983 as a non-profit, non-denominational body to further his work. The Gawler name has become well known and respected throughout Australia and internationally as representing a holistic approach to health which improves both quality of life and survival times.
Ian Gawler has studied meditation with Dr Ainslie Meares, Indian, Buddhist, Zen Christian and other Western Meditation Masters. He combines the intellect of the West with the insight of the East. He has published many books, including You Can Conquer Cancer, Meditation Pure and Simple, The Creative Power of Imagery & Peace of Mind.

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He has also released the above titles and many others as audiobooks, many of which are available from The House of Oojah - click here for more information

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Ian Gawler: The Dragon's Blessing by Guy Allenby