Pain and Compassion – Philosophy of Medicine

Lord Gautama Buddha claims that pain, suffering, and the experience of sorrow (‘Dukha’) is implicit in Human Existence. There is no escape from sorrow. Fortunately, there is hope. When a man recognizes pain or sorrow in the lives of others, it spontaneously arouses the feelings of compassion, which is described in the Sanskrit language as  Karuna, or Krupa. If pain is a part of human existence, compassion is an instinctive response generated by human nature. The problem is, man unfailingly recognizes his own pain and sorrow and pays no attention to the pain and sorrow that is being experienced by others. When I recognize my pain or feelings of sorrow, I may generate a feeling of self-pity and not that of compassion. Compassion acts like a physical force, power, or energy. It has the ability to uplift man from pain and his experience of sorrow. However, self-pity has no such uplifting power. As a human, I can only use compassion to serve others and not for promoting my escape from pain or mental misery. People who do not recognize this Divine Force of Mercy, Grace, and Compassion often live in a state of self-pity. The instinct of compassion comes into play when man reacts to pain that he witnesses and responds to it. I can only use this force of compassion to serve others and not for securing my own well-being.

Philosophy of Medicine

I define Philosophy of Medicine as a systematic study of physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects of man’s well-being in relation to health and disease using reflective methods characteristic of Philosophy.

This is a systematic study of man as a physical, social, moral, and spiritual being. I am concerned with the status of man in the universe, in his natural environment, in his community, and as an ‘Individual’. Man has come into existence as an individual and he exists as an individual according to the Law of Individuality. Man’s existence is defended by his Immune System that deploys unique molecules (polymers) that display Molecular Individualism.

Unlike Gautama Buddha, I would explore the problem of human suffering from my definitions of health and disease. If desire is a causative agent of pain and suffering, I would explore that connection.

My philosophical insights would help to make inferences about the purpose and meaning of human life. Philosophy of Medicine is not a ‘Mantra’ or a Magical Word. I am not superhuman. I do not promise miracles.

Since the human body is constituted by building blocks called Cells, the understanding of Life demands the use of microscope. Philosophy of Medicine while exploring the nature of human existence provides the understanding of the vital connections that establish, maintain, and sustain human existence. Such understanding provides a sensory experience called ‘Madhurya’, a sensation of Sweetness which enables man to function better and overcome obstacles.

I maintain that Philosophy of Medicine provides a bodily experience called ‘Ananda’, a sense of perfect happiness, pure joy, bliss, and contentment. The goal is not Enlightenment or Nirvana. The purpose is that of improving the quality of life and gain the experience of a whole life.   

What do I get if I respond with compassion?

Any act of compassion, or an act of kindness gives the performer an experience of Joy or Sweetness. It is a physical, and a mental experience. It is a whole body experience. A person who responds to an instinctive impulse generated by the force of compassion accomplishes his task of serving another person without the experience of physical or mental fatigue. The burden of providing assistance becomes light and the task itself provides a sensation of Joy or Sweetness as it is being performed or accomplished. The mind, and body collectively share this experience.

Prayer to acknowledge Compassion:

Prayer is an acknowledgment of God’s Power/Force/Energy of Compassion, Grace, and Mercy. There is no human existence in the absence of this Energy. All living organisms and entities lead an energy-dependent existence. We exist as energy seekers and we exist because of an Energy Provider. In  good health or sickness, and at any stage of human existence, from conception until death, man is energy-dependent and he has no other choice apart from this Divine Providence. The following is a hymn in Sanskrit language that acknowledges the immense power of compassion:

The person described as mute (Muukam), and Disabled (Panghum) in this prayer is not me. It is the other human being whom I recognize as mute, or handicapped. I can recognize the pain, the condition, or the physical state of this person even while he is speechless. I am empowered to gain information as if the mute person is able to communicate fluently the information about his condition. In practical terms, the mute person is transformed into a person who can speak effortlessly (Vaachalam). Similarly, the handicapped person who cannot walk or climb, overcomes all obstacles and will be able to cross over the hills (Girim). The man afflicted by disability need not walk. I am empowered by compassion and I would lift him and move him over the obstacles in his path. This prayer motivates me to use the uplifting force of compassion. While I am not physically strong or powerful, the energy of compassion lightens my physical burden and makes the task easier for me to complete without over stretching myself. The Divine Providence is identified as ‘Paramananda Madhava’. Ananda means Joy or Happiness. Paramananda means Great Joy or Perfect Bliss. The Lord gets the name of Madhava as the personification of His Energy of Compassion is described as Madhavi. Madhavi is a word derived from ‘Madhu’ which means honey, nectar, or sweetness. The Lord is always accompanied by His Energy, His Consort Madhavi. When Lord Madhava applies this Force called Madhavi, the experience would impart a sensation called ‘Madhurya’ or Sweetness in the person who is the beneficiary and also in the benefactor who is acting on behalf of the Lord in response to the instinct called compassion.

Pain tolerance and Pain resistance:

People have various degrees of pain tolerance. I have practically experienced that by providing care, and comfort, by treating people with kindness and compassion, I can increase their physical capacity to tolerate pain. The beneficiary, and the benefactor who serves with compassion, both equally experience a sense of Joy and tend to become Pain Tolerant and Pain Resistant. Compassion has a quality and it gives the man a capacity to tolerate and resist  a far greater amount of physical, mental, and emotional pain as compared to an individual who has not experienced the force of compassion.

Advantages of Pain tolerance and Pain resistance:

The person who is Pain Resistant or Pain Tolerant would not need high doses of pain killers. Such Pain Tolerant persons would not use drugs to alter mood or to elevate mood. The Pain Resistant person would not use recreational drugs like alcohol, tobacco, or other chemical substances. He is not prone to the problems of Drug Addiction or Drug Abuse and Drug Dependence. He would not need drugs to relieve Anxiety, or Depression as he is not likely to be susceptible to states of mental anxiety or mental depression. He would not routinely use drugs for pain relief as the body has made psychological adjustments for its level of pain perception . We need to know people who depend upon drugs to live their lives. If Michael Jackson is alive, he would tell us about his drug-dependent human existence. There are millions of such human beings who live using drugs and they would be only experiencing self-pity. If we recognize the Force of Divine Providence called Compassion, we could help people and help them to live a life without drugs.

The difference between Self-Gratification and Compassionate Service:

Self-gratification would provide a man with an experience of sensual pleasure. It is a pleasing and enjoyable experience while it lasts. The problem is that of addiction. The mind, and body would demand more and more of such sensual pleasure experience. Without further self-gratification, man becomes miserable. The experience of Joy or Sweetness associated with Compassion is not addictive. It would not lead to compulsive behavior and would not contribute to Behavioral Disorders. We need to address this issue of pain and its experience. Our aim should not be that of providing maximal pain relief using drugs. We need to serve people experiencing pain using the force of compassion and transform their lives and make them pain tolerant and pain resistant while enjoying the sense of Pure Joy and Sweetness inherent in service with Kindness and Compassion.

Please view my related blog post titled ‘Krupa – A Force to Preserve Human Existence

https://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/krupa-a-force-to-preserve-human-existence/

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India,

M.B.B.S.,  Class of  April 1970.