Confused: Thank you for sharing, James. I’m trying to gather information on whether I seek treatment for cancer or not. It seems treatment is aimed to give more time. The questions are, time for what and at what cost? Currently, I have what I would consider minor symptoms. I have always been healthy, but the 10-year coronary disease risk assessment [ASCVD score] places me in the high-risk category. The dilemma is that the treatment actually may make my current symptoms worse, cause or may cause side effects that may or may not be long-lasting, with a significant one being an increase in the risk of a cardiovascular event.
My cancer is almost at the highest-risk level but shows no evidence yet of metastasis. Now, is the goal to live long enough (with the risk of increased physical issues to deal with) in order to die from some other cause before I die from it and to have more time to do something, accomplish something? That would seem the traditional response, but since Vedanta, things are not so traditional. From the “Eastern” perspective, is the purpose to let my past actions play out and stay focused on the Self as the body goes through whatever it will OR choose to take treatment to try to achieve “more time” and deal with the consequences? What action is necessary to experience the fulness of the Self? Thank you for the opportunity to share with a friend.
Is it action to let karma run out or action that could produce more karma as a result of wanting to attain something, i.e. more time? Since being exposed to the teaching through you, I have found such relief from seeking through experience. It seems like the jiva’s purpose for being has been revealed.
James: Dear Confused, you have analyzed the issue carefully. You are in a pickle. And you have finally asked the most important question: “What action is necessary to experience the fullness of the self?” My answer is a question.
When are you not experiencing the Self? You (and 99% of seekers, so don’t feel bad) missed the most important teaching, which we always present right at the beginning. Which is? The Self is not an object that you can experience. The Self is the essence of the experiencer. It is the witness of the apparent experiencer, Jack and Jack’s experience. When you understand this you can then ask the right question. I won’t tell you what it is. You need to tell me. The answer takes care of the mortality issue.
~ Love, James
