This hermeneutic phenomenological study aimed to describe and explain the experiences of using meditation as a healing method by persons with cancer. Ten informants were purposively selected form among patients who had been diagnosed with cancer and had experience of using meditation as a healing method. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with an interview guide that had been developed by the researcher between December 2003 and October 2004. The van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological method was used to analyse the data. The findings indicated that the meaning of 'using meditation as a healing method' as perceived by the informants, could be classified into 4 themes. The four themes identified in the study were: 1) meditation as medicine, 2) meditation as energy that helps improve immunity and repair injuries, 3) meditation as a balancing agent of the body and mind, and 4) meditation as a method to develop the wisdom to understand things as they really are. There were two types of meditation used by the informants; concentration meditation and energy transferring meditation. The informants saw the perceived effects of using meditation as consisting of a physical and mentalpsychospiritual effects. The physical effects consisted of 1) recovery from cancer, and 2) decrease/relief of physical suffering, including strengthening of bones and muscles, and sleep promotion. The mental-psychospiritual effects consisted of 1) the ability to live with cancer, and 2) a better lifestyle. This study provides a deeper understanding of the experience of using meditation as a healing method by cancer patients. The knowledge gained from this study could be beneficial in guiding nurses for giving advice to other people who are interested in practising meditation for their own benefit.