DISCLAIMER : This blog is merely the wonderings and wanderings of My Nomadic Mind...I understand it's a controversial topic. Your thoughts are welcome but please understand that, my intention is not to offend anyone. But if at all you are offended, I hope you will let it be as just another Opinion. After all everyone has an at least one.
There are times in life when we stand at cross roads, with hand me down Moral code and a choice that we hope we could make without interference from others. One such issue is that of euthanasia. The dictionary defines the word as "the act or practice of killing hopelessly sick or injured individuals (persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy; also : the act or practice of allowing a hopelessly sick or injured patient to die by taking less than complete medical measures to prolong life also called, mercy killing."
I was reading about the release of Dr. Kevorkian. It is old news, now but I had to wait until the Noise that others made died, so that I can get my train of thought to work on it. I havent read about all the patients he has helped commit suicide so far, but I got the gist of what he did. I cant speak for others but if I had to choose between being an invalid for years, bringing down the financial state of the family and adding to the stress of an already stressed out family, I would choose death. If there wasnt a doctor who would help me out, maybe I would find a way to end life on my own. This I say only if I was so ill that I consider myself the Living Dead, a Vegetable.
I have my years of conditioning from my parents, the society and culture I have grown up in. Suicide is WRONG. Killing someone is WRONG. But(yes there is always a "But" in my head)history has shown that there are situations when suicide and killing another is a better option. This reminds me of a story of a Saint, the saint preached Non-voilence, hence non-killing... A cobra listened to this and went hungry for days, finally when the hunger was unbearable, the cobra came out to look for food when some villagers saw the snake and out of fear for their safety, beat the snake up. Although the cobra could kill with just one strike he didnt because he believed in the Saint's teaching. After his escape, he goes to the saint, completely bruised and says.. "I was trying to follow your teachings, I cant understand their cruelty" The saint said - I asked you not to Kill, I didnt say, dont use your god-given gifts to Live. So, there will always be a time when there is a "But".
I feel there really is no right or wrong about an action, only in our judgement of it. If there was no context given to a suicide or a killing then would it be right? or wrong? It would merely be an event, wouldnt it? I can argue on both sides of this concept. To the ones who say "opting for assisted suicide is wrong" I can ask "why are you making decisions for the other, let them choose what they want for themselves". To the ones who say "its ok to do this" I would ask "why are you giving up hope, why dont you fight, why dont you give your loved ones the oppurtunity to be there for you". But I understand, that this is my conditioning. If I was never influenced and grew up in total Isolation, I dont think I would have an opinion about this topic.
In Indian history, the idea of Jauhar( the ladies commiting suicide in the event of the husband's side loss in war/battle) was an honoured tradition. It started with the idea that killing yourself than be dishonoured is a better option. This idea of opting for death to dishonour is still seen in many south asian nations. Although the contexts are different.
You will hear news of parents committing suicide when an unmarried daughter gets pregnant or eloped with someone or if their child was caught Steeling etc.. or farmers committing suicide when they cant pay their debts or people committing suicide when they encounter a social shame or indignity of some kind. You will also hear of "Honour killing" within certain sections of society in the Indian subcontinent, where the son/daughter who is marrying outside the community could be killed for Dishonouring the Family. I understand that for most people in the West the idea of "Honour and Indignity" is very different compared to the ones in the East. I am not saying one idea is better than another but that each idea has its place within the bounds of the particular community.
I also see the Irony in the way we do things.. While so many are aghast at the idea of Euthanasia when it came to human beings, they would not bat an eyelid when they applied it to animals in their farms or their pets or when it comes to animals that are part of our Food. They will reconcile themselves more quickly with the idea if it was an animal compared to a Human Being. I do have a difficulty in understanding how one LIFE is more valuable than another. LIFE in all fairness, is LIFE. Death comes to all that Lives and it is never Biased. I do believe if it is our time to Die, then we will die no matter what precautions we take, either we will find a way or nature will bring about the circumstances in which we will die or if all fails someone will facilitate a way for us to die. If you have doubts about it, look into history, look at Pompeii, the world's wars, the numerous freak accidents that have taken place, the epidemics that have come into our world. Ask if all those people called it upon themselves to die and you have your answer.
This concept can be abused. I think that was the deal with Dr. Kevorkian, he didnt draw the Line and tried to play God. Human Beings are very adept at abusing anything that could be used for something good or better. I would be more Against the Abuse of a Concept than the Concept itself.
Withdrawing from the Thought Room,
Off to real life chores,
Rashmi.
33 comments:
"If I was never influenced and grew up in total Isolation, I dont think I would have an opinion about this topic." and "LIFE in all fairness, is LIFE" Two things to start. you cannot know what you would or would not think. second, you cannot use a word to define itself. My opinion: when I die there will be no more life. Life is not only a general topic it is a specific thing too. There are choices to be made and Krishna taught Arjuna to act. Do what you think is right. There are no set rules beyond to keep in mind.
True, I couldnt predict what I would think. When I said LIFE is LIFE... I was not trying to define. I was considering all beings that are Alive and that at some point will be dead. I feel it is double standards to consider one Life as better or superior than another, or for one life to warrant so much attention, while others are ignored.
"Krishna taught Arjuna to act. Do what you think is right."
-- I agree. That was the underlying question I was trying to get a grip on.. in the case of Euthanasia or suicide, what is right? Is it right to be against it? to be for it? to use it when appropriate? and if so, when is it considered Appropriate?
My own personal view? I would rather suffer than to have someone assist me with a suicide nor would I try to take my own life. Remember, this is only my personal view: I don't necessarily see the end of life as something that should be easy or painless. Does that mean I am not merciful? Of course not, I have deep respect for life, and the choice of how a person lives or if that person decides to end his/her own life is a personal choice. I can only decide what is right for me. Does this mean I would WANT to suffer? No, I would prefer not to suffer. For example, if I had a terminal illness, I know my pain could be managed by medication, and that my personal care could be assisted by Hospice. If my body was paralyzed and my mind was still functional and I was coherent, I would still not consider an easy way out because that is what I personally feel euthanasia is, an easy way out of taking the consequences of life. A burden to my family? Well, so be it. I would take care of any one of my family members if the reverse was true.
The quote: "Do what you think is right" means that it would be my personal choice, and my choice would be to live until my body could live no more. I was given the precious gift of life, and if the end of that life calls for suffering physical pain, well, I just see it as part of the deal. The joy, happiness, love, and the pleasure I experienced for X amount of years would be worth the suffering I would have to endure at the end of it all.
Here is the way I see it, God told me before I was born, "I am going to give you a body and you will have a life" Now, He couldn't tell me how many years I was going to live, and He told me this life might be full of joy and pain.. There will be good times and bad times. When the time comes for this life to end, it might be painful and you might suffer, but after this life has ended, you will get to live eternally in a better place, where there is no pain, no suffering, and you will experience eternal peace and happiness. But you have to live this life first, no shortcuts, no cheating. You have to follow the rules. There are no guarantees on how this life will be for you. Accept or decline the deal?
You see, I have decided to accept the deal. What if there is no God? Well, then I still would think, I had a pretty damned good life, bring it on whatever it may be at the end, it still made the overall ride worthwhile.
Women give birth everyday around the world, many of us have suffered greatly during labor, but wasn't the suffering worth it for providing life to another human being? Don't many women "forget" the pain once their babies are born? That's because we only feel intense love for our babies after the pain. The love, the reward, is worth the suffering we had to endure. We can equate this to suffering and eventual death if we believe there is indeed a God and an afterlife.The pain of death, well, that's all forgotten once we feel the intense love (the reward) of God, and that eternal place many of us believe is Heaven.
@ Rose, Do what I think is right-my personal choice, has a lot of trouble when it becomes enmeshed in legal courts, especially when personal choices dont agree with the Mainstream/Conventional choice. Remember the Terri Schiavo case in Florida? Although these cases are few and far between, I feel it is just an indication of things to come.
I like your thoughts , nomad... No one likes to think of taking responsibility for "pulling the plug" on anyone. No matter how much they beg and plead to be let go .... The law, the religious community, and the moral right consider this a crime against God and nature.
The Pope of the Catholic Church has professed the position of the church on its uncategorical stand against euthanasia or any action considered assisting in the death of another.
And I agree. I agree we should not take any action to end the life of another. There is a reason for our existence.. no matter how offensive it may seem to those who are around us.
But....I am also against any medical procedures or treatment that will UNNATURALLY extend the life of another living soul.
Medicine has taken on the role of a demi-god....not one that cares... but one that abuses the health maintenance profession in its ever growing power over our lives.
If a person wishes to be free of his suffering or a life of uselessness due to infirmities that require constant help measures to extend life in a precarious balance ... then it is the right of the individual to refuse treatment ... or to allow another in his or her behalf .
Since when is it ok to unnaturally extend the life of another in a useless state that under any other circumstance would have ended according to our particular life dictate.?... We alter the life force and its agreed demise in our ideas of good intentions and the pride of the medical profession to extend life at any cost.
Where in "God's Law" is this a factor in "Holy" actions ? To extend the suffering demise of a body that was content in it's plan only to have another power source disturb the process?
Dying is necessary.. Who are we to play God in any case ?...How can we justify extending life primarily under unnatural forces or to take away a life when we can no longer tolerate what we have created ?
I think Euthanasia goes on every day in hospitals. It's just kept quiet. I don't have proof of this but I do think it happens.
In my opinion, willing to suffer so that we can be in eternal heaven doesn't make sense. I know that is some people's beliefs, but what loving "god" would WANT people to suffer in the first place?
I believe in euthanasia personally.
My pet dog, Toby, lived to be about 16 or 17 and he was in great pain before he was euthanized. I see no glory in letting that pet suffer.
My youngest brother passed away at the age of 29. He had been in terrible pain all his life with Rheumatoid Arthritis, VERY crippled with it. He ended up in the hospital and was dying. We did nothing to prolong his life, his heart monitor showed his heart beat slowly slowing down. Then he died. If he had chosen for someone to end his life, he probably would of chosen Dr. Kevorkian. Pain will make you wonder why you are even still alive.
My sister stated that we are to suffer for jesus. She is religious, I am not.
That's all I have to say on this, I don't want to really get into the religious aspects much more than I did.
Rashmi, good post as always. :)
I have so much to say when it comes to the GOD concept(both for and against) but I understand this isnt the place to talk of it. I think we tend to think and do as we are conditioned to do. There are a fews ways in which we respond to conditioning. We either conform and believe completely or we go the opposite way or we decide that we will use the conditioning as and when its convienient to us(and there are other ways too but I will stop with these). While I am a Believer in the God concept. I still think its just a CONCEPT which means that I can turn and twist that concept anyway I want so that it will fit my paradigm of thought just enough to convince me to make it my stratum for a belief system. Now heres where I fall apart..."how can anyone ever know what "GOD" wants?" To me thats like asking "what does electricity want?" I dont think GOD wants(now that is based on the presumption that God is sort of like Man- with his/her lists of wanting, needing, feeling, emotional, logical etc.)... But I feel WANT is part of the Human Thought Realm.
As for any of the "cultural" concepts-like euthanasia, abortion, etc.. I would look for a huge dose of Common sense, Balance and seeing what works for the person involved without bunching everything into neat little boxes.
We think so much the same ... The God concept, to me , is a personal and free approach to believing in a higher consciousness. As for me, this consciousness is mine... albeit an energetic...or combined consciousness. Energetically connected to all other energies. We are all connected via energy.. and it is in the realm of energetics and consciousness we can roam free in thought and formlessness without external forces controlling our creative self. As for what "God wants" .. Depersonalizing that concept blows apart theory... because in energetic terms.. "God", doesn't care. It is we who must care... being in form.. we can only reap what we sow as applied physics will show. ( At least this is the way I see it... at this point in time )
Why are people so afraid to talk about religion? We tiptoe around the subject as if stating our beliefs or non-beliefs are inappropriate topics? And yet most of us have some sort of belief system in place, whether it is a belief in God, or a higher power, of a different consciousness, etc. We should feel free to state on opinion without retribution from someone else based on their own belief systems. I have always wondered about this? Why should Rhasmi have to state that she doesn't want to "offend" anyone? I don't know why this struck me, but as I re-read the blog and the comments, we tend to not want to discuss "religous" issues when in fact, I don't see how this topic could not involve some sort of discussion about religion? It is after all in PART religious beliefs that make the topic of euthanasia a moral issue.
Well said Rose... and a question that can take its roots in the beginning of our evolvement when we started to question our existence....
I would talk about religion but I don't really want to do it on someone else's blog. Mine is fine or go to Larro Platz on my friends list. Just a suggestion. But I was also thinking along the lines of the moral issue and religion. Kind of hard to not bring it up. :)
@ Rose,
Experience/Observation has taught me that topics like politics, religion/beliefs, ideas of Patriotism, race etc. makes a lot of people very sensitive and defensive. Usually these topics start out as a harmless discussion and once questions raised cant be answered(reasons being that Opinions formed usually dont have emperical proof) or in some way finds that it was over-stepping certain bounds, it becomes an argument that has to be "fought" to win.
So I have made it a habit to put the disclaimer when I discuss these touchy subjects, just so that I am clear about my intentions. I do want to discuss but I am not looking to WIN or LOSE an argument, Working it out so that there is an Understanding of where someone is coming from would be a Great deal. Its just my hope that Mindful Empathy doesnt become a rare thing.
Mindful Empathy ... nice term.... I also love to exchange... it's the only way I really learn.... and mindful empathy is really a huge component of a mindset that can readily accept another view. To me it is like looking at a landscape someone else paints... It is their particular view... and seen with eyes that discern form and color with their distinct awareness. No two people view the same thing the same way ... we all must stand in our own place and view from our perspective. Why this is fodder for dissent and separation is amazing to me. It is common sense and quite logical to make sense of another's views if we have that lovely mindful empathy.
@ Jackie, Common Sense Leaves the room when we become Emotional(I can attest to that). Its like turning off the lights once we get into the defending "our way of thinking" spot. We dont move anywhere from that Place, and we embrace tightly, to the point of choking ourselves.
Yes...Emotions fracture thought...To take it further, detachment from thought releases us from form... and even further.. Absence of thought leads us to Nirvana.
I get heated sometimes about religion and politics but I never hold grudges. Only against a christian that said it was me and my kids' fault that their dad got killed by two hit and run drivers. Some people are just fanatics. Great explanation by the way Rashmi. You are wise. :)
I am sorry you had to listen to something so hurtful.(hugs).
Thanks Rashmi. The guy was obviously delusional. :)
I'll not riposte anyone's comments here (actually I've only skimmed through so this is a good thing), but if anybody wants to get into a discussion of religion pop on over to Larro Platz.
On euthanasia? Personally I'm all for it, especially from a civil liberties perspective. Ideologically I don't believe in an afterlife so I see no sense in suffering debilitating, painful death as a means to appease a god. There's no way around this subject without discussing religion and the morality of suicide. My life will be snuffed out sometime in the future and that will be it, period. I'll be worm food. To me the point of living is to be as oneself as is humanly possible. To have a meaningful existence now. What matters if we have a choice in how and when we die when such a circumstance arises?
By law, euthanasia is illegal in the US. Why? The immorality of suicide.
Where do we get this notion of immorality? Religion. Or at least religious dogma anyway.
I've encountered some few commentary on suicide and from my understanding it's immoral to take ones life because Christ suffered on the cross as we should suffer as well; to live this life to the very end and not choose to take our own lives in hand and end it.
There are so many other nuances in societies relationship with religion that affect our lives in so many ways that we often don't even realize.
Well, you were very nice Larro. :)
I try to get that from my mom :P
lol! I will be missed I think, after I am gone...but you will have my blogs and I.M.'s to look back on. :)
Yep :)
Rashmi I paused where you said you dont see how one life is more important than another. That idea seems odd to me. Is a fly's life as important as your own? How about plants, or bacteria?
I wish there wasnt such a stigma against suicide in the west. Also I dont have a problem with euthanasia. I think the world would be a better place if some angel of death harvested 90% of nursing home patients over night, however I dont think its our place as humans to kill the them. My view is probably shaped to some extent by the belief that the fear of death is one of the greatest causes of human suffering.
Ohhh..!! Now that is a whole 'nother blog draco ...lol What a great question !
@ Brandon- To me all of LIFE is important, even when I dont know all the parts of how one life affects the other. I think what we call as important to us is related only to our idea of what is Valuable. But in the Grand scheme of things every life is important- Even that of a fly, it serves some purpose, even if that purpose doesnt seem be part of our daily life. Same with plants. If today all plants die for some reason, we will begin to understand how important they are. So importance to us is related to how relevant it is in our life. But the reality is that every life is relevant to our life in some way or another.
No one life is more important than the other. Human beings like the order and heirarchy cause it gives us a Sense of Control over our lives, by making life linear, logical and easy to understand, so we give levels of importance to each life, giving the lowest level of importance to those that we dont like or doesnt serve a "purpose" as we know it.
And you are right, fear of death is one of the greatest causes of suffering. But if we look at Death... Why fear what we are never really going to know fully? When it comes, it comes, it isnt that ONLY I am going to die, so why be scared, its the natural scheme of things. In that light isnt death the same as Life? We dont understand life fully but dont we live it? Do we go about saying "oh I am scared of living?"
Thank you Rashmi... You said what I could not .. although your words echo my thoughts... Beautiful response....
dracothedrakan...cool name, I like it.
I like how you think Rashmi. Perhaps all life is equal in some cosmic sense. However even in that case all life is not equal from the human point of view. I think that is what you were saying about what we value. So for practical purposes not all life is equal. This has strayed far from the topic of euthanasia though.
Interesting concepts. I do have to say that all was open and without judgement until your last paragraph. Dr. Kevorkian helped only those who were in the last stages of dying and only when they came to him. I don't see how that could have been abuse of any kind.
Personally, I believe every person and every condition is different. I believe that each human being has the right to choose when and how they die. The problem today, is that becuse of advanced medical knowledge, nature really doesn't take place. That time to live and time to die just doesn't work anymore. The extraordinary procedures done to keep someone alive has nothing to do with religious ideas, or personal decisions. If the emergency crew is unaware of a person's personnal decisions about the right to die, they go to the extremes to keep a person alive. Often even if the pwerson's decisions are known, they will go by what the family wants to do, not what the ailing person wanted done. There really is no thought given to maybe keeeping someone alive even if they wil never ever have any quality of life again. I think that is a crime. Have you ever seen someone lying in a bed hooked up to a ventilator, with feeding tubes for food and water. They have no response to external life, except maybe a little movement from muscles or something like contractions. I have.Their bodies usually become so contracted you can hardly keep them clean and without infection taking hold somewhere. It is so sad. Once in this vegetative state, there is a real legal battle to unhook the lifelines. I don't call that life.
If a family has seen the true suffering of their loved one, and has adequate and correct medical information, than the decision of euthanasia is a thankful option. I think the main reason there is so much negative reactions to it is because of religion. Religion does exactly what it is supposed to do, it controls people's lives, and makes certain others rich. So as long as we bow to religious people and their concepts and interpretations of life, their will be human suffering .
i agree with u rashmi.
i had written on it sometime back http://harleennet.multiply.com/journal/item/51/euthanasia
This is just one of your many comments that is so much the way that I feel.
From your one line in a blog by someone else, I could 'feel' a connection with you.
I chose this blog because it is an issue in which I'm interested. I'd like to quote your last lines, but I can't see them now!
All I want to add to the other excellent comments, (whether I agree with all or not), is that euthanasia isn't, in my mind, 'killing.' nor would I call it "assisted suicide." If someone doesn't want to prolong the agony of a terminal illness, assistance is helping them to terminate their life.
This is just my opinion, about the affect of using different words.
I recently saw that one state has made it 'legal' for a doctor to assist, but the patient must take it themselves. This is a personal choice.
When my husband was dying, in unbearable pain, I, as his Power of Attorney, was able to reach his oncologist at 2a, to give the order to the nurses for that extra dose of morphine. He had a few moments of peace, smiled & took my hand, & was gone. What that doctor did was illegal, but he was humane.
Just one more thing...I also believe that every living thing is important, & that all life is relevant to we humans. The concept of a "hierarchy" also gives a sense of superiority, making it easier to abuse "lower" life.
"Human Beings are very adept at abusing anything that could be used for something good or better. I would be more Against the Abuse of a Concept than the Concept itself."
[My bold] This what I wanted to quote. Much wisdom in it.
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