January 13, 2022

The Doctor, the Billiard Ball, and the Mind: A Lesson in Knowing When Not to Act

I have heard a story about an old doctor.

One day his assistant phoned him because he was in very great difficulty. His patient was choking to death; a billiard ball was stuck in his throat, and the assistant was at a loss for what to do. So, he asked the old doctor, “What am I supposed to do now?" The old doctor said, “Tickle the patient with a feather."

After a few minutes, the assistant phoned again, very happy and jubilant, and said, “Your treatment proved wonderful! The patient started laughing and he spat the ball out. But tell me - from where have you learned this remarkable technique?”

The old doctor said, “I just made it up. This has always been my motto: when you don’t know what to do, do something.”

This story presents an interesting contrast between the two approaches to problem-solving.

The Old Doctor's Motto: Do Something, Even if You Don't Know What

The old doctor's advice – "when you don't know what to do, do something" – might work in a pinch, like tickling a choking patient to dislodge a foreign object. However, Osho argues that this approach doesn't translate well to the complexities of the mind.

The Inner Engineer: When in Doubt, Do Nothing

Osho emphasizes the mind's intricate and delicate nature. Unlike a physical object, the mind can't be fixed with a quick solution. Here, "doing something" without knowledge can create more problems than it solves.

Key Points:

  • The mind is a complex and delicate instrument.
  • Techniques for working with the mind are based on deep understanding and experimentation.
  • Don't mix or modify techniques without proper understanding.
  • When unsure, it's better to do nothing and wait for clarity.

Osho's Advice:

  • Before attempting any mind-altering techniques, ensure you fully grasp them.
  • If confused, prioritize understanding over action.
  • Non-action is preferable to uninformed action when dealing with the mind.

The Takeaway:

This story serves as a cautionary tale. While taking action is often necessary, it's crucial to understand the situation and choose the right approach. When it comes to the mind, a little knowledge and a lot of caution can go a long way.

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