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Medical student here, looking for rescources
I am actually in my final year of medicine, and next year I hope to secure a job as a doctor. This transition is very nerve wracking for me, and also for my fellow classmates. Its natural for any new doctor to feel this way.
Last night, I watched some youtube videos of the Dalai Lama. One of them was a Q and A,and the other was a speech followed by a Q and A.
I was simply blown away at the simplicity of the Dalai Lama's approach to compassion, and love. Also, I was surprised at the concept of self image, which rarely gets spoken about in other cultures.
He spoke of two forms of love, a conditional love which extends to known relations such as family, friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, etc. But then he speaks about an unconditional type of love, which has no limits, and is the type we should all strive for. So simple and clear.
I was also surprised with the Dalai Lama's answers on the importance of 'self image'. As a medical student, I sometimes neglect my health, because I'm constantly stressed and don't find time to relax. But with a peaceful mind, then only can solutions be solved. I love that last line.
Everything is so connected. Body and Mind. And he also spoke about levels of people. On the first level, we are all the same. On the second level, is where different cultures exist, different races exist, and so on. But he stresses we must remember we should never forgot that first level of connectedness.
I feel extremely inspired. And was hoping for advice on resources for books (audio book would be good, lol), that would benefit me as a future doctor. So mainly about compassion in a medical sense. I know most of his books highlight this, but I was looking for a starting point.
Probably the most amazing thing, is that the Dalai Lama has rekindled my love and passion for becoming a physician. Its a sobering experience when listening to his words.
Last night, I watched some youtube videos of the Dalai Lama. One of them was a Q and A,and the other was a speech followed by a Q and A.
I was simply blown away at the simplicity of the Dalai Lama's approach to compassion, and love. Also, I was surprised at the concept of self image, which rarely gets spoken about in other cultures.
He spoke of two forms of love, a conditional love which extends to known relations such as family, friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, etc. But then he speaks about an unconditional type of love, which has no limits, and is the type we should all strive for. So simple and clear.
I was also surprised with the Dalai Lama's answers on the importance of 'self image'. As a medical student, I sometimes neglect my health, because I'm constantly stressed and don't find time to relax. But with a peaceful mind, then only can solutions be solved. I love that last line.
Everything is so connected. Body and Mind. And he also spoke about levels of people. On the first level, we are all the same. On the second level, is where different cultures exist, different races exist, and so on. But he stresses we must remember we should never forgot that first level of connectedness.
I feel extremely inspired. And was hoping for advice on resources for books (audio book would be good, lol), that would benefit me as a future doctor. So mainly about compassion in a medical sense. I know most of his books highlight this, but I was looking for a starting point.
Probably the most amazing thing, is that the Dalai Lama has rekindled my love and passion for becoming a physician. Its a sobering experience when listening to his words.
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Comments
our mind of compassion. Love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.
- The Most Venerable Thích Nhất Hạnh
You have taken on the act of compassion which is beneficial to you and others.
Stay with those feelings and perhaps when things are not so hectic you will have time to explore HHDL teachings further. He has written numerous books.
First, congratulations on med school! That's a huge accomplishment. I'm an RN, just now embarking (at age 48) on CRNA school, so I feel your pain!
I will say that Buddhism has greatly influenced my practice as an nurse, and only for the positive. In fact, I don't think I could do my job were it not for my practice. The cultivation of unconditional compassion for all beings (which, believe me, is sometimes VERY hard to cultivate with certain beings!) has brought me incredible peace, even though the pace of things is sometimes so hectic that it's only in hindsight that I can see it. There have been a number of threads on similar subjects, but I think it's worth repeating - from my perspective, dealing with death in the in-patient setting is MUCH easier as a Buddhist. Once I wrapped my brain around the concept of impermanence it made dealing with it much less stressful. Of course it is a tragedy when a death could be avoided (as when there are wrong decisions made or wrong actions taken in health care). All I can say about the latter is, TRUST YOUR NURSES! They're with the patient 24/7, and they know stuff! Challenge them to be excellent, and let them challenge you to be excellent. Teamwork is what it's all about.
Don't know if you're going to be a surgeon, but please, please, please, please whatever you do, don't buy into the notion that seems all too common that because you have "MD" after your name that you're somehow infallible. There are far too many who very firmly believe that. Asking for advice or help from your colleagues (doctors, nurses, or whomever) is not the same as failure. I have much more respect for a physician (especially a surgeon) who realizes when he or she is out of his or her depth and needs help than I do for the cowboy who refuses to acknowledge that they don't know everything. I've worked with both, and the cowboy always causes professional friction and strife, suffering for patients and families, and in a couple of cases I've personally dealt with, needless premature death.
I'm so happy to hear that HHDL's words have touched a place in you. I know they are a big reason I found Buddhism as well. They are a great jumping off point for your study of the dharma. You will find all kinds of avenues if you're interested and you do a little looking.
As for yourself - take care of yourself! You do nobody any good if you're not healthy (mentally, physically, spiritually, etc). I know school is stressful - boy do I know that! But take some time for yourself. Meditate (meditate, meditate, meditate, meditate!!). It will bring benefits you can't begin to imagine.
Whatever your path, best of luck with it (oh, and good luck on boards!).
Peace
Mtns