Depression-3

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Dear Members,

 

The first two sections of the article titled

'DEPRESSION' by our swamiji,have had tremendous

reception. In this connection, many have raised a lot

of queries and sought suggestions/guidance to come out

of depression that is how part-3 was brought out.

 

Part-3

 

To feel low in spirit quite often or to get highly

excited is a sign of depression. (Psychiatrists term

it as 'manic depressive psychosis') Such people cannot

tolerate others being happy when they are in low

spirit and others feeling low when they are happy. At

such times they become a real nuisance to those

around. They expect others to dance to their tune. It

is quite common amongst these people to resolve to

observe a fast, a vow of silence, to avoid television,

etc. only to break them as soon as resolved. Yet they

make such resolutions quite frequently. At times they

believe that they are capable of performing even

impossible tasks (psychiatrically known as 'Mood

congruent delusion of physical strength') while at

other times they slump into deep inferiority complex.

Their moods alternate between such extremes. Such

people are loquacious.

 

People in depression tend to draw illogical, foolish

conclusions from day-to-day happenings. For example,

they would relate a bad day to seeing a particular

person on waking up or a good day to wearing a

particular person's shirt. Thus, they get caught in a

whirlpool of imagination and are unable to get out of

it. When such people enter spiritual life one can well

imagine their situation. Life histories of great

saints and incarnations speak of their extraordinary

nature. When depressed people read such life histories

they tend to believe that they, too, have a lot in

common with such incarnations.

 

They tend to think that they know what is happening

and what would happen to them. They interpret natural

events to suit their mental make-up. For instance, if

they miss a bus while going to an interview they

immediately conclude that they would not get the job.

Herein, it is but natural, that a doubt arises

regarding the rationale behind our belief in

Jyothisham (astrology), Nimitham and Saguna shasthra

(omen) as described by our scriptures. Jyothisha

shasthra, Saguna shasthra and Nimitha are paths shown

by great saints. It is true that these shasthras are

pointers towards future events. There is a great deal

of difference between our drawing conclusions from

daily events and our interpreting events based on

shasthras. Moreover, for the right understanding of

the predictions through Jyothisham, etc. one needs

deep spiritual strength.

 

Generally, depressed people hold on to one particular

subject. For instance, if in their office their boss

likes another person, they get obsessed with it. Their

inability to do certain things due to fear or doubt

may depress them. The list of things that would

precipitate depression in a person is endless. So,

ways and means of overcoming this state of mind may

now be discussed.

 

Those in the early stages of depression can easily

come out of it on their own. However, those in the

advanced stage cannot be brought out even through

counselling. Even if told they will only question why

they were not advised earlier. Moreover, they do not

possess enough strength to follow the counselling

given. It needs a lot of patience on the part of those

around to bring them out of depression.

 

Our scriptures discipline our daily routine. For

example, though bathing is only to cleanse the body,

our scriptures tell us when to and when not to bathe.

And also bathing is described as a virtuous act.

Similarly, though food is taken to appease hunger, our

scriptures tell us when and what type of food to be

had. Having food and offering food to others (anna

dhana) are considered as worship. As never seen

anywhere else it is only here in our land that

scriptures have been made even for kaama (Sex). All

these only go to show that our feelings/emotions need

to be properly channelised.

 

Depressed people yearn to be like the experts in

various fields - to be like the good musician when

they listen to a good music performance, to be like

the cricketer when they watch a cricket match and so

on. This trait is also a mental weakness and is sheer

foolishness. In each there is a latent talent. There

is none in this world who is 'UTTERLY USELESS'. One

should recognize one's own latent talent and nurture

it. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Each one

should find satisfaction, joy and have interest in

his/her own life. Idleness and garrulousness are

dangerous. Big talkers are small doers. Mental

strength and thinking capacity increases when one

reduces talking.

 

An idle mind is devil's workshop. Swami Vivekananda

said to an idler, " I shall give you a knife. Go, kill

someone. It is better than remaining idle! "

One should always be cheerful and pleasant. One should

be in the company of good friends and sadhus. Good

books also make good company. One should always be

positive in thought, word and deed, as these have

power. For instance, when someone enquires after your

well being one should respond cheerfully/positively.

One should not dwell on negative things and keep

cribbing about them. To feel things turn negative even

though one thinks positively does not constitute

" positive thinking " .

 

One should have a concrete goal in life. Adoption of a

child by childless couples is only to bring meaning

into their lives. In spiritual life realization is the

goal. At the same time one should put in constant

effort.

 

Though festivals like Sri Ramanavami, Vinayaka

Chathurthi, Krishna Jayanthi (Gokulashtami),

Navarathri, etc. are basically religious in nature,

they are also meant to overcome idleness, bring in

cheerfulness and promote social interaction. Our

religious concepts have sound logic as basis.

We should avoid the company of people who have

negative attitude, who always find fault with others

and who are idle because negative qualities are very

contagious.

 

Equality is to respect another's right without

compromising on our own. For example, if a person who

observes fasting on a particular day (Say Ekadasi)

visits a friend who does not, he should neither

compromise on his fasting nor stop his friend from

having food. If we follow the mantra 'ADJUST, ADAPT

AND ACCOMMODATE' the world would be a better place to

live in. Rather than pray for things that we like, we

should pray for maturity of mind to like what has been

given.

 

Mind is both wonderful and dangerous. Reading the

essay on 'DEPRESSION' would probably have made many

people believe they, too, fit into the description of

many symptoms of depression. It is not so. As long as

the mind exists, such imaginations and thoughts are

unavoidable. Only when such imaginations cross the

threshold can we term it, 'DEPRESSION'.

 

To put it in a nutshell,

a.one should have a definite purpose in life

b.one should not waste a single moment

c.one should talk less

d.one should cultivate good thoughts and be in good

company

e.one should have a practical approach towards life,

and

f.one should believe in God

 

Observing these simple guidelines will enable us to

lead a healthy life interpreting events based on

shasthras.

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

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If you have any questions or doubts concerning

Spirituality, Mental peace or problems in life or

about dharma, please write to us by clicking here:

http://www.namadwaar.org/answers/askquestion.php

His Holiness Sri Sri Swamiji personally answers these

questions for you and suggests prayers accordingly.

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