The ancient teachings of Buddhism focus on happiness as the ultimate goal of life. According to the Buddhist philosophy, true happiness can be deliberately attained at all times, and not just in the fleeting moments of pure bliss or past pleasant memories. Finding inner peace and contentment when things are working well, as well as when life is more tumultuous – this is true happiness. Developing this ability is to cultivate the Buddha nature within every human being.
Max* isn’t a fan of needles but, like a child, he loves to come into the acupuncture clinic and stick his tongue out. In Chinese medicine, the tongue is a diagnostic tool, indicating states of existing patterns within the body. Some patients find it difficult to find humor as they go through cancer treatments, Max is able to find joy amidst difficulties. He speaks of the desire to go back into remission but is also aware the lymphoma may come back. Yet it is also clear that he knows he can’t spend much energy focused on that possibility. At the end of the acupuncture session, he arises with a calm but happy character. ‘I will see you next week,’ he says, ‘ where I’ll have some fun and stick my tongue out at you three times.’ I imagine his humor is not reserved just for his acupuncture visits and suspect it provides him with joy and strength to sail as peacefully as possible through each day.
*All patients’ names have been changed.
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