Need advice from a spiritual perspective: dealing with depression and anxiety.

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

I hesitated on posting this since it might or might not have much to do with

sadhana, but then I thought that it raised some issues that I think could be

relevant for even sincere devotees of God/dess.

 

 

Off and on since my last year of high school, I been struggling with depression

and anxiety. Sometimes it all disappears for a while, and then it comes up

again. I so far have been trying to keep track of my mood swings and trying to

catch patterns, but other than that, I have only managed to make a little bit

(although better than none) progress in dealing with these states of mind.

 

So far, I pray everyday in the evening to have guidance in letting things go.

For the most part, this has worked, but I still feel as if I am being shadowed

by these two unhealthy states. I pray for strength and endurance, and for the

ability to realize my feelings and let them go. Again, progress has been

made...but then I ask myself: what if there is more I can do? Does Devi always

take the problems away, or will she often give you the opportunity to deal with

the problems instead? Or both?

 

Well, I thought that I would get different perspectives on how everyone here

deals with these states of mind, if they do at all. I fear that if I do not

develop more coping techniques, I will only create myself unwanted

self-fulfilling prophecies and create my own Hells and even more demons within

myself.

 

I even do not mind discussion on what creates these states of mind (positive or

negative).

 

Thank you for your time and attention.

 

Jai Ma!

 

Sincerely,

Christina

[Guest guest]

From what I have seen in your queries and replies, you seem an

intelligent person and with quite a good thought process. Which

would mean that you have a good control over your depression and

anxieties.

 

Sometimes, a change in environment brings such states of mind. May

be your moving to college and the new environment and schedules

causes it. May be it is just because you might have moved out of

your home and feeling alone.

 

Find out what causes those states of mind and address them.

 

Another thing I noticed is that whenever I log in here, I always see

that you are online (the smiley thingy is always lit up). May be you

are waiting too long on the net for replies and that might be

causing your anxiety or contributing to it as well.

 

Trust me, being online so that someone from some part of the world

will come online so one can talk itself is not good. Been there done

that.

 

Instead, switch off the PC and move away. Get a book to read. Get a

subject which is not too heavy. Try James Herriot's books (All

things big and small and those in that series). Easy to read and

enjoyable. Sometimes, living temporarily along with the characters

of a story is far more relaxing and rejuvenating to the mind.

 

Will distract you from everything including Shaktham. Not many can

live " alone " that easily. Also if you are living in a cold clime,

that will also contribute to depression.

 

Another interesting thing about a good book is one can read it

several times and enjoy it. And, even when that book is not

available, can go through the story in the mind - like during a long

travel in a bus or just sitting in a park. One never has to be

alone. :-)

 

All the best.

 

G

 

, <IlluminatedCelestial

wrote:

>

> Namaste,

>

> I hesitated on posting this since it might or might not have much

to do with sadhana, but then I thought that it raised some issues

that I think could be relevant for even sincere devotees of God/dess.

>

>

> Off and on since my last year of high school, I been struggling

with depression and anxiety. Sometimes it all disappears for a

while, and then it comes up again. I so far have been trying to

keep track of my mood swings and trying to catch patterns, but other

than that, I have only managed to make a little bit (although better

than none) progress in dealing with these states of mind.

>

> So far, I pray everyday in the evening to have guidance in letting

things go. For the most part, this has worked, but I still feel as

if I am being shadowed by these two unhealthy states. I pray for

strength and endurance, and for the ability to realize my feelings

and let them go. Again, progress has been made...but then I ask

myself: what if there is more I can do? Does Devi always take the

problems away, or will she often give you the opportunity to deal

with the problems instead? Or both?

>

> Well, I thought that I would get different perspectives on how

everyone here deals with these states of mind, if they do at all. I

fear that if I do not develop more coping techniques, I will only

create myself unwanted self-fulfilling prophecies and create my own

Hells and even more demons within myself.

>

> I even do not mind discussion on what creates these states of mind

(positive or negative).

>

> Thank you for your time and attention.

>

> Jai Ma!

>

> Sincerely,

> Christina

>

[Guest guest]

, " ganpra " <ganpra wrote:

>

> From what I have seen in your queries and replies, you seem an

> intelligent person and with quite a good thought process. Which

> would mean that you have a good control over your depression and

> anxieties.

>

> Sometimes, a change in environment brings such states of mind. May

> be your moving to college and the new environment and schedules

> causes it. May be it is just because you might have moved out of

> your home and feeling alone.

>

> Find out what causes those states of mind and address them.

>

> Another thing I noticed is that whenever I log in here, I always

see

> that you are online (the smiley thingy is always lit up). May be

you

> are waiting too long on the net for replies and that might be

> causing your anxiety or contributing to it as well.

>

> Trust me, being online so that someone from some part of the world

> will come online so one can talk itself is not good. Been there

done

> that.

>

> Instead, switch off the PC and move away. Get a book to read. Get

a

> subject which is not too heavy. Try James Herriot's books (All

> things big and small and those in that series). Easy to read and

> enjoyable. Sometimes, living temporarily along with the characters

> of a story is far more relaxing and rejuvenating to the mind.

>

> Will distract you from everything including Shaktham. Not many can

> live " alone " that easily. Also if you are living in a cold clime,

> that will also contribute to depression.

>

> Another interesting thing about a good book is one can read it

> several times and enjoy it. And, even when that book is not

> available, can go through the story in the mind - like during a

long

> travel in a bus or just sitting in a park. One never has to be

> alone. :-)

>

> All the best.

>

> G

 

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm maybe reading comic book will also do her good u

know...... my lat collection is still available. If Christina would

give me her addy...... I wouldn't mind sending her one. It does you

wonders after reading it. It has help me to maintain my

sanity ....... LOL

[Guest guest]

Well, so far I have been trying to take breaks from the computer. I leave

messenger online but other than that, it is to let people leave a message. I

actually cut down my online time significantly since my highschool years. So, I

guess I got a good start there.

 

As for everything else...it is very possible that I am adjusting to a new

semester...and while I am excited about it, perhaps part of me is worried on a

subconscious level and is creeping up on me.

 

But you are right...lately I been neglecting my book reading, mainly because I

keep telling myself that I am not going to have as much time due to my new

semester. I am more or less having the work of a full time worker, plus part

time volunteer work at the Crisis Center. I have a lot of books, fiction and

non-fiction, that I have to get through eventually. Perhaps I should remind

myself that I can still finish them all in time and get to reading them more on

my spare time.

 

As for comic books...wow, I have not read those in a long time, but if I can get

a synopsis of the series, perhaps I can look into them.

 

I guess another part of my anxiety and depression can be related to one thing:

the thought that I am not doing enough. This can be on all levels of my life.

 

I worry that I am not treating fellow man well, worry that I am being too

selfish, etc. These are some issues that cross my mind more often than I admit.

Has anyone had these thoughts in their mind before?

 

 

Thank you for your input so far. Everyone has been helpful.

 

Jai Ma!

 

Sincerely,

Christina

 

 

---- NMadasamy <nmadasamy wrote:

> , " ganpra " <ganpra wrote:

> >

> > From what I have seen in your queries and replies, you seem an

> > intelligent person and with quite a good thought process. Which

> > would mean that you have a good control over your depression and

> > anxieties.

> >

> > Sometimes, a change in environment brings such states of mind. May

> > be your moving to college and the new environment and schedules

> > causes it. May be it is just because you might have moved out of

> > your home and feeling alone.

> >

> > Find out what causes those states of mind and address them.

> >

> > Another thing I noticed is that whenever I log in here, I always

> see

> > that you are online (the smiley thingy is always lit up). May be

> you

> > are waiting too long on the net for replies and that might be

> > causing your anxiety or contributing to it as well.

> >

> > Trust me, being online so that someone from some part of the world

> > will come online so one can talk itself is not good. Been there

> done

> > that.

> >

> > Instead, switch off the PC and move away. Get a book to read. Get

> a

> > subject which is not too heavy. Try James Herriot's books (All

> > things big and small and those in that series). Easy to read and

> > enjoyable. Sometimes, living temporarily along with the characters

> > of a story is far more relaxing and rejuvenating to the mind.

> >

> > Will distract you from everything including Shaktham. Not many can

> > live " alone " that easily. Also if you are living in a cold clime,

> > that will also contribute to depression.

> >

> > Another interesting thing about a good book is one can read it

> > several times and enjoy it. And, even when that book is not

> > available, can go through the story in the mind - like during a

> long

> > travel in a bus or just sitting in a park. One never has to be

> > alone. :-)

> >

> > All the best.

> >

> > G

>

>

> Hmmmmmmmmmmmm maybe reading comic book will also do her good u

> know...... my lat collection is still available. If Christina would

> give me her addy...... I wouldn't mind sending her one. It does you

> wonders after reading it. It has help me to maintain my

> sanity ....... LOL

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for posting this, and having the courage to admit that you are not

always happy, and that sometimes you struggle with spirituality. I struggle with

this a lot too, sometimes to the point of suicidal. I have made such a

transformation in the last 4 years, but still I am far from enlightenment. I

find it's because it's hard to forget my troubled past, and hard to forgive

those whom have harmed me as a little kid. If you would like, I can talk to you

in private.

 

FYI, I was on my pitty pot when I read this, so thank you, as I am out of my

troubled head and thouths...

 

God(dess)(s) bless thee

 

IlluminatedCelestial wrote:

Namaste,

 

I hesitated on posting this since it might or might not have much to do with

sadhana, but then I thought that it raised some issues that I think could be

relevant for even sincere devotees of God/dess.

 

Off and on since my last year of high school, I been struggling with depression

and anxiety. Sometimes it all disappears for a while, and then it comes up

again. I so far have been trying to keep track of my mood swings and trying to

catch patterns, but other than that, I have only managed to make a little bit

(although better than none) progress in dealing with these states of mind.

 

So far, I pray everyday in the evening to have guidance in letting things go.

For the most part, this has worked, but I still feel as if I am being shadowed

by these two unhealthy states. I pray for strength and endurance, and for the

ability to realize my feelings and let them go. Again, progress has been

made...but then I ask myself: what if there is more I can do? Does Devi always

take the problems away, or will she often give you the opportunity to deal with

the problems instead? Or both?

 

Well, I thought that I would get different perspectives on how everyone here

deals with these states of mind, if they do at all. I fear that if I do not

develop more coping techniques, I will only create myself unwanted

self-fulfilling prophecies and create my own Hells and even more demons within

myself.

 

I even do not mind discussion on what creates these states of mind (positive or

negative).

 

Thank you for your time and attention.

 

Jai Ma!

 

Sincerely,

Christina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Christina,

 

Ah, but our state of mind has everything to do with sadhana! To me,

that is what sadhana is! Our practice must bring about a state of

mind (or maybe " no mind " ) that allows That (Divine Mother, God,

Brahman)to be revealed in all it's glory. All of the practices,

scriptures, teachings are there to help to purify (or train) the

mind. Reciting hymns, kirtan, puja, yajnas, meditation, various

yogas, satsang, all these begin to change our habits of thinking. A

sage once advised me that when the scriptures say, for example, that

the Divine Mother removes all pain and unhappiness- it doesn't mean

that all of the sudden all of the circumstances of life will happen

as I wish them to. Life still has it's ups and downs. What is meant

is that the mind undergoes a change, there is a change within me, how

I look at things is different. I am no longer identifying with my

outer circumstances such as " I am wealthy " or " I am poor " or " I am

sick " or " I am healthy " . There is an identification with Something

Else, something that arises due to the grace of the Divine Mother as

I continue to practice sadhana. Then, when life's difficulties come

around, as they invariably do, my anxiety about whatever situation

comes up is significantly reduced. My situation is not " me " . One

could say as the guru said to me, " Divine Mother removes all

identification with pain and unhappiness " . So when the storms of life

create big waves in the ocean of my mind, I try to remember to dive

deep into the ocean of the heart and find Mother there, and instead

of frantically swimming and trying to keep my head above water, I can

frolic in the surf! So that's my ideal, anyway-Thank you for

reminding me, Christina, with your post!

Leela

 

 

, <IlluminatedCelestial

wrote:

>

> Namaste,

>

> [...]

>

> Off and on since my last year of high school, I been struggling

with depression and anxiety. [....]

[Guest guest]

Everyone gets depressed one time or another. Its something normal. But in some

people depression becomes more than just a passing thing. It becomes a problem

when you feel really miserable, unable to eat or sleep, have suicidal thoughts,

lay in bed all day etc. Cristina, in your case, its on and off depression,

lasting many years, suggest something that need to be looked into. Writing it

off as something trivial will not make it go away.

 

I think like most problems we face has its karmic roots from this or from a

previous life. The depression your going through must be of karmic origin. I was

talking to a friend who told me a strong freewill directed at a desired outcome

will supersede negative karma in our life. In your case you have used devi to

heal yourself through your free will. I'm sure devi will be proud of you.

 

I feel depression is comparable with diabetes. Just as lack of insulin causes

diabetes, serotonin imbalance causes depression. Once depression sets in , in

many people anxiety follows.

 

This illustrates that depression is very much a biological problem. One

effective way to overcome depression is with medication. You can see the world

from a different light. In a sense, it is devi herself in the form of positive

neurotransmitter increases that improves your quality of life .

Once the neurotransmitters are proportionate, meditation is more likely today

become blissful.

 

You may try a herbal approach. St john's worth can used to treat and prevent

depression. There is another herbal 5HTP enhancer which is available under the

brand GNC(Sorry, I forgot the name).

Alternatively you can venture into homeopathy. I recommend this

Approach as it can be used in conjunction with other approaches.

 

You must train yourself in cognitive therapeutic approach to manage your anxiety

and depression. There are many techniques. You can learn them through books and

self help programs.

 

It is said that the breath is closely connected to the mind. If one gains

control of ones breath then one will gain mastery over ones mind.

 

The awareness of our inhalation and exhalation is a mantra itself. Breath is the

unuttered mantra called hamsa mantra. I read that this hamsa mantra is directed

to goddess gayathri. A spiritualist once told me every time you breath, you

gently massage kundalana shakti at the base of your spine. When done with

awareness, it becomes powerful.

 

You may wish relive anxiety by using breathing techniques such as belly

breathing .

For myself, i relive my anxiety by employing a breathing technique by focusing

on a longer exhalation compared with my inhalation.

 

Once I had a guru who urged us to face problems, go through hardship and accept

a miserable life. His rational was that if you hate life enough you get sick of

the material world and then enlightenment becomes easier.

 

I don't know if such approach really helps to attain enlightenment. Because when

your miserable your meditation or any yoga is bears little fruits.

 

After departing from my ex guru I learnt that spirituality can be approached

with joy and celebration.

 

I feel that a mind working in top form in crucial for spiritual development. The

mind has to be free from any psychological disturbance anxiety,depression etc

will lead to success in your personal life as well as your spiritual life.

[Guest guest]

I want to thank everyone for their input on this...

 

Recently, I checked in with the counseling services at my university and am set

to see someone once a month, just so that I have someone to bounce my

experiences with and can get some sort of insight, so to speak. I have not

given up my praying and devotion to Devi (at this point I am not sure what

would, LOL), and I been trying to monitor my thoughts even more.

 

I am also supposed to go in and get a deep tissue massage, which is supposed to

get rid of some of the " knots " that build up and restrict blood flow. I know

that I may get those 'knots' again, but I think of it as the situation with

Raktabija in the Devi Mahatmya: if I do not work with those knots now, they will

only build up and become overwhelming to deal with, on both a physical level (I

been losing sleep over the tension in my neck and back) as well as eventually a

mental level. I am also going to try to keep in mind what postures are best for

my body, etc; I know these 'knots' build up when people pose in a certain way or

walk or do something to their body in a certain way for long periods of time,

thus building tension.

 

So, I am just taking little babysteps and various approaches to treating the

same problem, so to speak.

 

I wish to thank everyone again for their input.

 

Jai Ma!

 

 

Sincerely,

Christina

[Guest guest]

Jai Ma!

 

I am glad you are taking action, it's so easy to stay stagenant. Our society

feeds off of not advancing spiritualy, Western society although offering lots

things that Eastern society lacks, spirituality and happiness is not one of

them. The west makes inatimate object their Gods like Cars, homes, and People

(externally not internally), and we wonder why this world is F'd up.

 

I am do not really know you, nor do I really participate, as I more familiar

with Yezidi theology and I recently South Indian Shiva/Murugan theology. I fell

in love with Devi in all her forms, but there is so much I need to learn. I am

very immpressed with your post, and Pray that the Divine Son (Murugan) with his

Divine Vel (Shakti) pierces your anxiety, and that you always be at Ma's feet...

 

 

Sorry for any Type-o's, Grammar is not my strongest point

 

IlluminatedCelestial wrote:

I want to thank everyone for their input on this...

 

Recently, I checked in with the counseling services at my university and am set

to see someone once a month, [....]

[Guest guest]

Bravo!

Thank-you for kindly sharing your experience, your resolve to

continue your devotional practices and how you are dealing with the

common experiences of stress, anxiety and depression!

Jai Ma!

Leela

 

, <IlluminatedCelestial

wrote:

>

> I want to thank everyone for their input on this...

>

> Recently, I checked in with the counseling services at my

university and am set to see someone once a month, [....]