I'd like to discuss the notion of "depression as a spiritual path". I don't think we should necessarily view depression in this way, since in my own experience with myself and others, depression, if understood properly and experienced deeply and honestly, has the capacity to point us in what might be called "spiritual" directions.
I definitely do not see depression as a "disease", though it can certainly be a chronic condition. I suppose it is a disease if it comes upon us and we react to it as if it were a disease, keeping it in place and essentially maintaining it in our ignorance of what it may hold for our spiritual, or psycho-spiritual direction and development.
Depression is not to be seen as a "spiritual path" because it is not an end in itself; it points beyond itself. However, its nature is deep and psychic, that is, pertaining to the soul, the psyche, and it consequently has a strongly spiritual component and power--if we are willing and able to learn from it and "use" it properly.
Another point I wish to make is that I don't believe there is any "cure" for depression. I say this because I see depression as a component of our psycho-spiritual process, rather than as a disease to be cured. Depression is at least partly a sensitivity to the voice of our own soul, or deeper self. If misunderstood or misinterpreted, which is the norm in our culture, depression does become a chronic condition, and it causes profound suffering on many levels of consciousness and unconsciousness. If we see depression as our "soul-sensitivity", our goal is to comprehend it and experience it from this perspective and in this way, rather than to be "cured" or "healed" of it. "Soul-sensitivity" is fraught with much self-responsibility. That level of sensitivity is a deeper-than-normal awareness. It is actually a gift, however, it is also a blessing and a curse. Sometimes we are aware of more than we want to be aware of. Sometimes we feel the suffering that exists in the world itself, and wish we were not so sensitive. But, in fact, we are, and there is no denying that reality and fact. And there is no getting away from ourselves.
Our "depression" or soul-sensitivity will stay with us probably for our whole lives. We will never really lose this sensitivity. However, as we come to understand it and experience it in its peace-bringing qualities, we will not suffer so intensely and ignorantly as a result of it. I try to practice zazen, Zen Buddhist meditation, every day. For me, it becomes very much an exercise in self-observation--of thoughts, emotions, beliefs, bodily sensations--and in this practice, I have to "sit with" whatever is bothering me or painfully affecting me the most. I sit "in" it, feel it, watch it, experience it, and this is profoundly difficult and painful oftentimes. There is no escape from myself in this "soul-sensitivity" or depression. And, though I vow I'll never "sit" again, I try to last through the meditation. And the next day, I sit again--not because I force myself, but because I want to and because I know it is what I need to do for myself. Though I make it sound like torture, it also has its moments of profound experience of being "free", that is, of being beyond myself in a state of "no-self". We each have our own way of "being with ourselves as we are" and I mention this as my way. Your own way will be discovered by you. In my book, I present questions to ask yourself to help promote an understanding and a relationship between you and your soul. The depression or soul-sensitivity qualifies you as one who may be able to have this kind of contact with your inner self or spiritual-self, as it were.
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I am in the process of converting my book into a series of on-line educational seminars for those who prefer this kind of presentation and learning experience. It breaks the book down into bite-size pieces and provides opportunities to experience an exercise in each "class" of each seminar. I will keep you informed of the progress of this endeavor.
I will be providing a free introductory seminar to the series to give people an opportunity to sample the seminars and to sign up and purchase one to see if they like it or to purchase the whole series at a discount. The price will be quite reasonable. I'll let you know when the free introductory seminar is ready.
I definitely do not see depression as a "disease", though it can certainly be a chronic condition. I suppose it is a disease if it comes upon us and we react to it as if it were a disease, keeping it in place and essentially maintaining it in our ignorance of what it may hold for our spiritual, or psycho-spiritual direction and development.
Depression is not to be seen as a "spiritual path" because it is not an end in itself; it points beyond itself. However, its nature is deep and psychic, that is, pertaining to the soul, the psyche, and it consequently has a strongly spiritual component and power--if we are willing and able to learn from it and "use" it properly.
Another point I wish to make is that I don't believe there is any "cure" for depression. I say this because I see depression as a component of our psycho-spiritual process, rather than as a disease to be cured. Depression is at least partly a sensitivity to the voice of our own soul, or deeper self. If misunderstood or misinterpreted, which is the norm in our culture, depression does become a chronic condition, and it causes profound suffering on many levels of consciousness and unconsciousness. If we see depression as our "soul-sensitivity", our goal is to comprehend it and experience it from this perspective and in this way, rather than to be "cured" or "healed" of it. "Soul-sensitivity" is fraught with much self-responsibility. That level of sensitivity is a deeper-than-normal awareness. It is actually a gift, however, it is also a blessing and a curse. Sometimes we are aware of more than we want to be aware of. Sometimes we feel the suffering that exists in the world itself, and wish we were not so sensitive. But, in fact, we are, and there is no denying that reality and fact. And there is no getting away from ourselves.
Our "depression" or soul-sensitivity will stay with us probably for our whole lives. We will never really lose this sensitivity. However, as we come to understand it and experience it in its peace-bringing qualities, we will not suffer so intensely and ignorantly as a result of it. I try to practice zazen, Zen Buddhist meditation, every day. For me, it becomes very much an exercise in self-observation--of thoughts, emotions, beliefs, bodily sensations--and in this practice, I have to "sit with" whatever is bothering me or painfully affecting me the most. I sit "in" it, feel it, watch it, experience it, and this is profoundly difficult and painful oftentimes. There is no escape from myself in this "soul-sensitivity" or depression. And, though I vow I'll never "sit" again, I try to last through the meditation. And the next day, I sit again--not because I force myself, but because I want to and because I know it is what I need to do for myself. Though I make it sound like torture, it also has its moments of profound experience of being "free", that is, of being beyond myself in a state of "no-self". We each have our own way of "being with ourselves as we are" and I mention this as my way. Your own way will be discovered by you. In my book, I present questions to ask yourself to help promote an understanding and a relationship between you and your soul. The depression or soul-sensitivity qualifies you as one who may be able to have this kind of contact with your inner self or spiritual-self, as it were.
___________________________________________________
I am in the process of converting my book into a series of on-line educational seminars for those who prefer this kind of presentation and learning experience. It breaks the book down into bite-size pieces and provides opportunities to experience an exercise in each "class" of each seminar. I will keep you informed of the progress of this endeavor.
I will be providing a free introductory seminar to the series to give people an opportunity to sample the seminars and to sign up and purchase one to see if they like it or to purchase the whole series at a discount. The price will be quite reasonable. I'll let you know when the free introductory seminar is ready.
