If you've had this kind of experience, what was it that triggered it?
Basically he said that people who have suffered for a long time (in the psychological department, more than the physical) are extremely reluctant to get "cured", and even if they go see a therapist, they have great problems in overcoming their problems and tend to lock themselves in a situation where they seem unable to change.
And yet they drone on, incessantly, about how much they are suffering and how they are desperate to become healthy, happy, normal, serene.
The reason, according to Jodorowsky, is that they have been accustomed for so long to their problems that they come to believe that their pain is a key element of their identity, and they have a subconscious fear that getting "better" would make themselves a different person. I.e. destroy or irrevocably alter what they consider "a key element of being myself".
It is a bit like if we had Star Trek teleportation, and you would be reluctant to use it (instead of traditional travel) because you feel like the person coming up on the other side would not be "you" anymore. This would force you to go to extreme, irrational lengths because you are ultimately scared of death, and at the same time frustrated at having to spend so much time in a shuttle or whatever.
This had a transforming effect on me because I suddenly realized why so many people (including myself) seem unable to actually change their habits/thoughts/feelings, even if they keep claiming they do not like their situation and would do anything to change it.
It made me a bit less judgemental about others, if nothing else.
"What is the worst possible outcome? Would I be able to overcome this scenario?"
We often struggle to do things because we are scared to make the leap but once you put words on your fears you realise that it's not that big of a deal and that you can do it.
Highly relevant to today's political climate, "Authority and American Usage" is an essay that's sometimes frustrating, but also one that I think everybody should read. DFW establishes the idea of a "Democratic Spirit" as a sort of worldview to speak and interact through. It's really good and important: https://www.docdroid.net/GCzeU6K/authority-and-american-usag...