Medical Aid in Dying - discussion
At a Garrison Institute retreat about Being with Dying this summer, in a meditation hall filled with caregivers and those deeply curious about their own mortality, someone raised her hand. She asked Joann Halifax and Frank Ostensaski about "assisted suicide".
Two answers were given.
The first was a critique on the language. Frank gently but firmly reminded the 150 caregivers that it is not "suicide". He reminded the group to be conscientious of this word for it carries many associations that can disrespect and hurt those who have lost someone this way. With "Medical Aid in Dying", clients is not choosing between life and death. They have a terminal illness and two doctors have declared that they have less than 6 months to live. They must have a "sound mind" and they are simply choosing when to die. This decision is often about quality of life more than anything else at this point in someone's disease process.
The second response came from Joann Halifax. She smiled and she told us that 20 (or so) years ago she asked the Dalai Lama this same question. He looked at her and said, "Mercy".
Frank followed up by saying, "it's hard to be liberated in that much pain". Joann suggested that in Tibetan Buddhism they don't believe that medication taints the deepest aspect of consciousness.