Good patient, or...?

In The Monk with Dysentary, from the Pali Vinaya (translation from Buddhism and Medicine: An Anthology of Premodern Sources, edited by C. Pierce Salguero), the Buddha said:

“Monks, when a sick person has the following five qualities, they are hard to nurse: they do not do what is appropriate; they do not know moderation in what is appropriate; they do not take their medicine; they do not clearly communicate their illness as it really is to the nurse who desires their good, not saying it is worse if it has worsened, or it is improving if it has improved, or it is still there if it persists; they find it impossible to endure arisen painful bodily feelings that are sharp, fierce, distressing, disagreeable, unpleasant, and life-threatening. Monks, when a sick person has these five qualities, they are hard to nurse.

Monks, when a sick person has the following five qualities, they are easy to nurse: they do what is appropriate; they know moderation in what is appropriate; they take their medicine; they clearly communicate their illness as it really is to the nurse who desires their good, saying it is worse if it has worsened, or it is improving if it has improved, or it is still there if it persists; they find it possible to endure arisen painful bodily feelings that are sharp, fierce, distressing, disagreeable, unpleasant, and life-threatening. Monks, when a sick person has these five qualities, they are easy to nurse."

When I first read this ancient wisdom, I was struck by how it applies today. I do my best to prescribe the right medicine (whether bodywork, movement or herbs), advise on appropriate behavior (including Base4Health©, which is exercise, nutrition, sleep and meditation), and listen to my clients with regard to their progress (so that we can make adjustments in treatment). When the client is embodied, flexible and engaged, the results are wonderful. I love supporting all of my clients, difficult or easy. When we're "in the groove," though, it's a magical experience.