''I didn't die because you said I didn't have to.''

For years Dr. Bernie Siegel has been caring for seriously ill patients and their families. On this recording Dr. Siegel discusses the traits that his exceptional and successful clients have used to heal themselves and their lives.

In recounting these exceptional experiences in healing, Dr. Siegelshares his great belief in the power that hope can give patients and stresses the importance of medical caregivers and family sharing in the civilization of hope. Dr. Siegel, or Bernie as he prefers to be called, also encourages people to participate actively in their treatment and cure as many of his exceptional patients have done. An interest in healing, he explains, is an interest in living.

Included are Bernie's thoughts on the healing powers of love, the power of the subconscious mind, the necessity of patients finding a doctor's that's right for them, and the use of illness to learn about life, confront pain, and create the changes needed for healing. He also deals with the issues of guilt and failure that may arise in confronting these challenges.