Meditation and Depression.
Posted by: Rose Tol, R&I Life Coaching, Meditation and Depression, March 26, 2013 in Meditation
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It is normal to feel feelings on the down slide of the swing of emotions. Have you heard it said: "What goes up, must come down"? That is true in everything in nature and science. Everything in the universe keeps seeking balance and that is why for everything there is an opposite. The problem is, we start to identify with these 'down' emotions and seem to stay in them. Some people feel there is no way out of them, even though they tried every which way. Living with depression can be a serious condition. This article is not designed to be a cure-all for everyone, but it is hoped it will inspire an approach through consciousness, and how meditation and depression can help you overcome depression. |
Depression Warning Signs
Depression can show up in a blatant way but can also disguise itself in other behaviors. The following is a list of signs that can be taken as a warning. Remember, you must seek a professional for an accurate diagnosis of depression.
- Persistent sad or "empty" mood.
- Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, pessimistic and/or guilty.
- Substance abuse.
- Fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex.
- Disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns.
- Irritability, increased crying, anxiety or panic attacks.
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
- Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts.
- Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.
Please note: Other illnesses and certain medications can cause symptoms that mimic the symptoms of depression. A complete medical examination should be performed to rule out the presence of other medical conditions potentially causing depressive symptoms.
What is Depression?
Living with depression can be a serious condition and is often accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy. It shows up typically with lack of energy and difficulty in maintaining concentration or interest in life. One of the main characteristics when we feel depressed is that we feel helpless to change our state and no-one can help. We often are hard on ourselves and feelings of anger and helplessness can get the better of us.
Depression gets nourished by all the hurts in life that are unresolved, unforgiven or have not been grieved appropriately. When life events happen to us, pain and suffering comes our way, we are not finding a way to process it, find our way through it by letting go and finding healing, resolve or transform it into awareness that moves us into a positive direction.
So we swallow all these unresolved pains and hurts down, and like a spiral we follow down a dark tunnel inside of us. Sometimes it feels like we are swallowed up by all these pains and hurts. The suffering can become so unbearable that some people find that only suicide is there way out. It is important to know that suicide is in no circumstance ever a way out!
People living with depression are often self fixated, caught in regrets from the past or fears of the future and
rarely in the present moment. They are usually imprisoned inside their own egos. Sometimes, like martyrs,
some of us that suffer from depression feel that we must swallow all the
negativity inside and not show it, so as not to affect others, that we can
handle it. But the reality is that we swallow it down with nowhere to go,
thereby only increasing the problem.
How to Overcome Depression
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."
-- Albert Camus
The way out of depression is to go straight into the hurts and pain that have you imprisoned. That is why I like this quote, in the midst of winter, in the midst of my deepest hurts and pain, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. It is in the middle of the hurt where you will find the healing and understanding you need to be able to let go and find that there is only love and light on the other side waiting for you.
The secret is that you have to venture into the pool of hurts and pain with a focus, a prayer to go through it and let go of it. Somehow you are going to have to trust that there is a benevolent force out there that will catch you, pull you, take you through it. If you do that, you will not fall into the trap of going deeper into the suffering and get stuck. For this reason, meditation and depression are a great way to overcome depression.
Meditation and Depression
You can use meditation to contemplate the truths spoken about depression and find your own realizations on the matter. You can ask yourself about depression in meditation:
- What is it that has me imprisoned?
- What is making you helpless to change?
- Are you hanging onto resentments or anger?
- Do you have to forgive someone or maybe yourself?
- Is there a situation in your life that caused much hurt and pain? Explore the possibility that there unresolved feelings here.
- Are you blaming someone or a situation for your unhappiness?
Allow yourself to explore yourself in these questions. Take your time to do this. Do not find the answers too quickly, go deeper, you might be surprised what you find when you take things deeper.
Meditation is also an excellent time to feel your feelings and if needed, to release them. For more guidance on how to use meditation and depression check out the meditation course.
Meditations where you can feel and explore your feelings are truly the most excellent way to cure yourself from depression.
Other areas to help you cure depression can be:
- Giving to others. Getting out of yourself is a most crucial step to take and giving is a most powerful avenue to do so. When you give from your heart to someone else you start to get connected to yourself and it makes you feel good.
- Diet. There are many studies that show diet and food habits can have a great effect on the way we feel. It is very worth while to check this out.
- Exercise. Repetitive exercise such as walking or running will really help someone redevelop their mental strength whilst at the same time releasing the natural chemicals linked to feelings of well-being and contentment.
In moments of discouragement, defeat, or even despair, there are always certain things to cling to. Little things usually: remembered laughter, the face of a sleeping child, a tree in the wind—in fact, any reminder of something deeply felt or dearly loved. No man is so poor as not to have many of these small candles. When they are lighted, darkness goes away—and a touch of wonder remains.
tombstone inscription in Britain
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