Tricycle | Awake in the World

How do you address the karma involved in Alzheimer’s disease?

(signed) Mikel Dunham, Santa Monica, CA

Thanissaro Bhikkhu responds:

Traditionally, dementia is karmically connected with taking intoxicants, either in this lifetime or a past one. Often you can see a connection between dementia and the kinds of things the person was worried about. I know of a student who was able to use mindfulness so that the onset of Alzheimer’s wasn’t so disturbing to him. Instead of anticipating the loss of his mental powers, he stayed focused on “What am I aware of now?” The skillful karma of staying focused on the simple quality of awareness in the now in this way can help diminish the anguish that comes from anticipating what will happen if and when the disease worsens in the future. As for the person caring for the patient, perhaps the best karmic gift you can give the patient, and yourself, is your own calm, mindful presence. Again, skillfully focusing on the present helps lessen the suffering for both parties.