The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.106)

2019 • 01 22 eature mentality on aging makes a difference in how one copes with aging. Your mindset decides how old you are Renowned Japanese writer, Haruki Murakami said: Aging happens in an instant. What he meant was that the moment anyone “gives up oneself mentally”, one begins to age – where one feels himself/herself being old and useless, and that exactly is an aging mindset. Professor Lai pointed out that people often talk about body and mind, “but actually, heart is just an organ, and the most precious memories and love are all in the brain.” Meaning that, mindset is derived from the working and expression of the brain, and has essentially nothing to do with the heart. Then an inevitable question is: Which is which – is the mindset that brings on aging, or the reverse? To Professor Lai, it is exactly due to the key cause of “mindset”, which is rather tricky to deal with, that the medical professionals found it hard to declare to patients of their ailments. Professor Lai thought that if, for encouragement, the doctor painted too bright a picture for his patient about his/her ailments at first, and then not the slightest improvement was seen in the end, then the doctor was guilty of being professionally unethical; but had the doctor described it in absolute terms, such as “half a year left to live”, what if the patient survived longer than that? “Mindset” might sound very abstract as a word, yet “it is the very thing that affects the quality of life at old age.” Professor Lai could still recall clearly the day 20 years ago, shortly after he returned to Hualien from the US. He was following Master Cheng Yen into the hospice care ward of Tzu Chi Hospital to visit a critically ill volunteer. The Master whispered gently into the ears of the sick volunteer: Remember to let go of all worldly attachments, go fast and come back fast, in a transformed healthy body to continue with the Tzu Chi work. The simple whisper was obviously such a great consolation that instantly, the self-pity look on the volunteer’s face disappeared, and a grateful smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. He seemed to have let go after hearing the whisper. In less than an hour, he passed away peacefully. Professor Lai admires those who are religious, although he personally is not, because he had seen terminal cancer patients became composed through the support of spiritual faith. He felt that it was a miracle that spiritual faith could lend such strength to one in pain. Since mindset played a role in his patients’ recovery, Professor Lai would tell his patients who trusted him greatly that “You are responsible for what you are.” It gave the patients tremendous encouragement, knowing that recovery was possible if they could adopt the right mindset. Tough enough to part with loved ones “As a doctor, I had also learnt much from my dealings with my patients. I had learnt a better way of living my life.” There was a patient, who contracted two types of cancer and who left a deep impression on Professor Lai’s mind because of his totally unexpected reaction when told that his condition was unfavourable. “It could be worse, right?” he