I have cancer, what should I do? | J. Krishnamurti

J. Krishnamurti - Official Channel

26 Apr 201515:52

Summary

TLDRThe transcript explores a profound personal dilemma faced by a cancer patient: whether to undergo medical treatment that may alter their physical form or to endure the illness and its potential fatal outcome without intervention. It delves into the nature of pain, the human response to it, and the brain's capacity to self-protect against intense suffering. The speaker also touches on the concept of healing, questioning the possibility of curing cancer through non-traditional means, emphasizing the importance of selflessness in the healing process.

Takeaways

🤔 The speaker discusses the personal dilemma of whether to undergo medical treatment for cancer that may result in physical changes or to live with the illness and pain.
💊 The script raises the question of how individuals deal with pain, suggesting that the approach to pain can vary from immediate medication to observing and allowing it to pass.
🚂 It uses the metaphor of noise, like a passing train, to explore the idea of whether we resist or let it pass through us, drawing a parallel to how we might deal with pain.
😖 The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of disassociating from pain, especially when it is intense, and the instinctive human reaction to hold on during moments of pain.
🧠 It mentions the brain's capacity to protect itself against pain through chemical reactions, suggesting that there may be a limit to how much pain one can bear without medical intervention.
🤝 The speaker expresses an inability to make the decision for the individual with cancer, emphasizing the personal nature of such a choice.
🙏 The script touches on the concept of healing, suggesting that some individuals may have the ability to alleviate pain through touch, but it must be done without selfish intent.
🌐 The speaker has had personal experiences with healing practices, indicating that such phenomena exist but cautioning against seeking healing from him specifically.
🤔 The dialogue invites the audience to question and explore their own relationship with pain, rather than providing definitive answers or instructions.
🧘‍♂️ The emphasis is on self-exploration and understanding one's own capacity to deal with pain, rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach.
💡 The script concludes by highlighting the importance of inquiry and self-discovery in addressing the profound question of how to deal with severe pain or illness.

Q & A

What is the main dilemma presented in the script?
-The main dilemma is whether to undergo medical treatment for cancer that may result in physical mutilation or to live with the illness and pain, potentially facing death without an operation.
How does the speaker suggest one should approach pain?
-The speaker suggests observing pain without immediate identification or resistance, similar to how one might let a noise pass through without being disturbed by it.
What does the speaker mean by 'not identifying with the pain'?
-Not identifying with the pain means observing it as a separate entity from oneself, rather than associating one's identity with the experience of pain.
How does the speaker describe the human brain's capacity to deal with pain?
-The speaker mentions that the brain has a capacity to protect itself against pain through chemical reactions, but this capacity has its limits, and too much pain can lead to unconsciousness or giving up.
What is the speaker's stance on the idea of being a guru or authority?
-The speaker explicitly states that he is not a guru or authority and encourages individuals to explore and find their own understanding of the issues discussed.
What is the speaker's view on the possibility of healing cancer through touch?
-The speaker acknowledges that some people claim to have the ability to heal pain, including cancer, by touch, but emphasizes that for such healing to be genuine, it must be devoid of selfishness.
What does the speaker suggest is a prerequisite for genuine healing?
-The speaker suggests that genuine healing requires the absence of selfishness, implying that the healer should not be motivated by personal gain or recognition.
How does the speaker address the question of whether cancer can be healed?
-The speaker does not give a direct answer but instead invites the questioner to consider the nature of healing and the conditions under which it might occur.
What is the importance of the questioner's autonomy in the script?
-The importance of the questioner's autonomy is emphasized by the speaker's refusal to make decisions for them and his encouragement for them to explore and understand the issues on their own.
What is the role of the audience in the script's discussion on pain and healing?
-The audience is encouraged to actively participate in the discussion by reflecting on their own experiences with pain and considering the speaker's points about observation and disassociation.
How does the script relate the experience of physical pain to broader existential questions?
-The script uses the experience of physical pain as a metaphor to explore broader existential questions about suffering, identity, and the limits of human endurance.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Facing Cancer: A Dilemma of Medical Intervention

This paragraph delves into a profound personal dilemma faced by a cancer patient: whether to undergo medical treatment that may save life but could result in physical disfigurement, or to endure the illness and pain, potentially leading to death, without surgical intervention. The speaker invites the audience to consider their own experiences with pain and how they respond to it, using the metaphor of noise to illustrate the idea of resistance versus acceptance. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of understanding one's relationship with pain and the philosophical question of how to meet it, without rushing to medication or seeking immediate relief.

05:06

😖 The Experience of Pain and the Role of Disassociation

In this paragraph, the speaker explores the concept of disassociating from the sensation of pain, using the example of sitting in a dentist's chair. It questions whether individuals instinctively identify with the pain or if they can observe it without personal attachment. The paragraph suggests that by not identifying with the pain, one might be able to endure it more calmly. It also touches on the brain's capacity to protect itself from pain through chemical reactions, hinting at the possibility of self-protection mechanisms against intense suffering. The discussion is framed within the context of a cancer patient's decision-making process regarding medical treatment.

10:11

🙏 The Inquiry into Healing and Selfishness in Healing

The third paragraph shifts the focus to the broader topic of healing, specifically addressing the question of whether cancer can be healed. It acknowledges the existence of individuals who claim to have the ability to alleviate pain through touch, suggesting that such healing is possible but not inherently spiritual or divine. The speaker emphasizes the importance of examining this claim critically and not accepting it blindly. Additionally, it raises the ethical consideration of the healer's intentions, asserting that true healing must be devoid of selfishness.

15:12

🌱 The Essence of Healing and the Absence of Self-Centeredness

This final paragraph continues the discussion on healing, emphasizing the purity of intention required for genuine healing to occur. It suggests that any form of healing tainted by selfishness is fundamentally different and less effective. The speaker warns against the commercialization of healing and the importance of maintaining a selfless approach. The paragraph concludes with a reiteration of the need for a selfless center in the healing process, highlighting the contrast between true healing and self-serving actions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Cancer

Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. In the video's context, it represents a severe health challenge that the speaker is contemplating. The dilemma of whether to undergo medical treatment that may result in physical changes or to live with the illness and its consequences, including death, is central to the discussion.

💡Dilemma

A dilemma is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones. The video revolves around the personal dilemma of the speaker who is grappling with the decision of medical intervention for cancer treatment versus living with the illness.

💡Medical Treatment

Medical treatment refers to the actions or interventions used in response to a diagnosis. In this script, it is presented as a potential solution to save the speaker's life from cancer, but with the possible side effect of physical mutilation, thus adding to the complexity of the dilemma.

💡Mutilate

To mutilate means to alter or injure (a living body) so as to cause disfigurement or loss of a limb or essential part. The term is used in the video to describe the potential physical consequences of medical interventions for cancer, which may save life but at the cost of altering one's body.

💡Pain

Pain is an unpleasant sensation or feeling often caused by illness or injury. The video discusses how individuals perceive and respond to pain, whether it be through immediate medication or through a process of observation and disassociation, which is a key theme in understanding the speaker's perspective on dealing with illness.

💡Enquiry

Enquiry, or inquiry in American English, is the act of seeking information or knowledge. In the video, the speaker encourages an enquiry into how to meet pain, suggesting a reflective and introspective approach to understanding one's experience with illness and discomfort.

💡Disassociation

Disassociation in the context of the video refers to the act of mentally separating oneself from a feeling or sensation, such as pain. The speaker explores the idea of observing pain without identifying with it, which is a method of coping that contrasts with the immediate reaction to seek relief through medication.

💡Observation

Observation is the action of carefully watching or noticing a situation or phenomenon. The speaker uses the term to describe a method of dealing with pain by watching it without personal involvement, which is a central concept in the video's exploration of how to approach suffering.

💡Healing

Healing refers to the process of becoming sound or healthy again. The video touches on the possibility of healing from cancer, not just through conventional medical means but also through alternative methods such as touch healing, which is mentioned as a phenomenon observed in some individuals.

💡Selfishness

Selfishness is the quality of being concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself. In the context of the video, the speaker suggests that true healing capacity requires the absence of selfishness, implying that genuine care and compassion are essential for effective healing.

💡Enlightenment

Enlightenment, in a broad sense, refers to intellectual or spiritual illumination or the act of attaining greater knowledge or understanding. The term is mentioned in the video as a question posed by an audience member, though it is not directly tied to the main discussion, it suggests a broader theme of seeking deeper understanding in the face of life's challenges.

Highlights

A person with cancer faces the dilemma of whether to undergo medical treatment that may result in physical changes or to live with the illness and pain, potentially leading to death.

The speaker explores the question of how to deal with pain, suggesting that the audience consider their own experiences with pain and how they respond to it.

The audience is asked to reflect on their reactions to noise, such as a passing train, as a metaphor for understanding their response to pain.

The concept of not identifying with pain is introduced, proposing that observing pain without personal attachment could alter the experience.

The speaker discusses the possibility of the brain's inherent capacity to protect itself from pain through chemical reactions.

The idea that intense pain might exceed the brain's protective capacity, leading to unconsciousness or surrender, is presented.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of personal exploration regarding the experience of pain, rather than accepting statements as absolute truth.

The transcript mentions individuals who choose to bear cancer pain without undergoing surgery, suggesting a deep level of endurance.

The discussion highlights the potential for healing through touch by individuals with a specific capacity, beyond spiritual or divine contexts.

The necessity for healers to be free from selfishness for the healing process to be genuine and effective is emphasized.

The speaker shares personal experiences with healing, clarifying that it should not be sought from him for monetary gain.

The transcript addresses the question of whether cancer can be healed, suggesting that it is a complex issue requiring careful examination.

The audience is reminded not to take the speaker's word for granted but to investigate and understand the concepts being discussed.

The concept of enlightenment is briefly mentioned, indicating a possible broader context or further discussion not fully captured in the provided transcript.

The speaker encourages the audience to question and explore the possibility of healing from cancer, rather than immediately seeking a definitive answer.

The importance of not rushing to conclusions about healing and the need for a deeper understanding of the process is underscored.