Buddhism and depression

General discussion, particularly exploring the Dharma in the modern world.
Bazman
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Buddhism and depression

Post by Bazman »

I have read a few books on buddhism. A few books on duality.
I have suffered from depression and addiction issues.
Has anybody found buddhism helpful for any of the above?
I accept the principle of non duality but have yet to make the leap day to day
SilenceMonkey
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by SilenceMonkey »

Zen cured my depression and my migraines. Karate and Zen together were very helpful to detox the mind from its negative patterning. Focus is a powerful thing! For me, the most powerful weapon against depression was to develop strength of will. Getting up every morning to sit, no excuses.

Exercise and proper diet help the body to be strong enough to withstand the storm of emotions and thoughts. But meditation is crucial. My method was counting the breath.
Bazman
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by Bazman »

Thank you
SilenceMonkey
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by SilenceMonkey »

Bazman wrote: Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:48 pmThank you
:namaste:
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Budai
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by Budai »

I would say if I ever got as sad as my lowest points in life, my practice would help me fully, as opposed to suffering without a clear answer to my questions about life. Gautama set out on His Path from the Palace because He wanted to find a way to end all of our sorrows, so I have a clear belief that Buddhism is supposed to help us with our sadness and depression. May you find your Answers! I hope you are happy. May the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha protect you.

Om Mani Padme Hum.
MagnetSoulSP
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by MagnetSoulSP »

I've heard teachers recommend a therapist and other professionals for such matters, fully accepting that for such issues you should go to them instead of Buddhist teachers. For "lighter" depression it can help, but for serious and deep depression you need a specialist.
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FiveSkandhas
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by FiveSkandhas »

While it is my opinion that practice never hurts, it's not really the same thing as psychological therapy.

As already posted, eating well and staying active helps depression. Exercise, physical projects like woodworking, volunteering to help others. Don't be afraid to seek professional help if it gets really bad.
"One should cultivate contemplation in one’s foibles. The foibles are like fish, and contemplation is like fishing hooks. If there are no fish, then the fishing hooks have no use. The bigger the fish is, the better the result we will get. As long as the fishing hooks keep at it, all foibles will eventually be contained and controlled at will." -Zhiyi

"Just be kind." -Atisha
Anders
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by Anders »

Most depression stems from dysphoric relational dynamics, which is not a strong suite of Buddhism compared to modern psychotherapy. I would say a first step should always be therapy if you wish to address the root causes of it.

If you have suffered repeatedly from depression, I believe a Buddhist practice can have a more significant impact, as here depression becomes more of a bodily embedded habit and learning to deal skilfully with whatever arises, cultivating general health and clarity of body and mind, will stand in good stead alongside other lifestyle adjustments that run counter to the more general behavioural patterns of depression.
"Even if my body should be burnt to death in the fires of hell
I would endure it for myriad lifetimes
As your companion in practice"

--- Gandavyuha Sutra
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Kim O'Hara
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by Kim O'Hara »

Bazman wrote: Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:43 am I accept the principle of non duality but have yet to make the leap day to day
That's probably a bit too abstract to be useful in dealing with ongoing psychological difficulties. Something like Thich Nhat Hanh's "The Miracle of Mindfulness" would be more directly applicable.
https://plumvillage.org/books/the-mirac ... ndfulness/

:namaste:
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SilenceMonkey
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by SilenceMonkey »

I was in deep depression for a few years and managed to pull out of it in the way I described... But I also agree that psychotherapy would definitely help. I’ve heard great things about CBT. And other things are necessary, such as having loving and supportive friends and family, getting some sun, physical exercise (even just a little), regular sleep and healthy diet. These are just things that have helped me back then. It’s a real struggle... asking for help from professionals is a good idea.
lightofbuddha
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by lightofbuddha »

first of all forgive for everything that i may write not right, my english is not high level, i was feeling strong depression for many years, so my small opinion that there few main points, first point is too many wishes/dreams that are not coming true and it bring sad feelings, for example, i like cucumber roll (kappa maki) but i do not have money for that i feel sad, or i wish to find a girlfriend , but all girls i wrote on the dating website reject me because i have no money and car, then i feel sad, i tried to find friends to play league of legends or any other game, but nobody wants to play together, i feel sad, so there are many many different wishes that are not coming true.
The second thing in my opinion is: Dark spirits around us, inside people and maybe inside yourself or in the aura of a body, they can be different and they use different method to control your mind and body(i will tell again that it is only my small opinion) so have to clean from them, or do not let them control your emotions, mind, feelings, body, they can make "human will" very weak, so it is easy to control human or do not let him progress

The last thing number 3 in my small opinion is no strict goal or plan, what do you need, what is your target, if you create objective that is important for you, nothing can not stop you, even progress will be little by little

in the last words, i will say that mantra of Avalokiteshvara Om Mani Padme Hum,it will bring happiness and love, defeat depression, but it takes time, only you can decide what you are going to do, but if you want i can always talk to you or share my will, even it is not so strong yet. i also can sing mantra for you if you ask me to, wish everyone defeat depression.
that is my small opinion, i apologize if i say something wrong or not right, kind regards Konstantin.
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LastLegend
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by LastLegend »

When mind isn’t clear, it will get caught up with a experience of depressive mood that can last long. That was my experience with depression.
It’s eye blinking.
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LastLegend
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by LastLegend »

It definitely helps to know how mind arises mood, feeling, thoughts, etc.
It’s eye blinking.
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Matt J
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by Matt J »

Absolutely. These were the reasons I came to Buddhism in the first place.

I agree with what others have said, though--- if you have access to professional care, do that also.

Also, a bit of somatic practice (yoga, qigong) can also be quite helpful if you can find some one who works it at a deeper level.
Bazman wrote: Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:43 am I have read a few books on buddhism. A few books on duality.
I have suffered from depression and addiction issues.
Has anybody found buddhism helpful for any of the above?
I accept the principle of non duality but have yet to make the leap day to day
"The world is made of stories, not atoms."
--- Muriel Rukeyser
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LastLegend
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by LastLegend »

Anders wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:03 am Most depression stems from dysphoric relational dynamics, which is not a strong suite of Buddhism compared to modern psychotherapy. I would say a first step should always be therapy if you wish to address the root causes of it.

If you have suffered repeatedly from depression, I believe a Buddhist practice can have a more significant impact, as here depression becomes more of a bodily embedded habit and learning to deal skilfully with whatever arises, cultivating general health and clarity of body and mind, will stand in good stead alongside other lifestyle adjustments that run counter to the more general behavioural patterns of depression.
Buddhism is skillful enough to deal with samsara...depression well it’s overwhelming and it requires a meditative higher level of insights into ones own mind. That’s why psychotherapy is preferred.

It’s all repetitive karma pulling and drawing.
It’s eye blinking.
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Johnny Dangerous
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by Johnny Dangerous »

There are a fair number of Buddhist psychologists, and meditation (basically Shamatha, whatever they want to call it) is hugely used now for moderate depression and anxiety, it's pretty much clinically indisputable that it "works".

You get to more severe issues and it's less applicable, or at least more debatable.

However, for a lot of people I think having the same technique in a mental health environment from a professional can be helpful.

There are some teachers who I think write intentionally in a "Self-help" style using language (again, I think intentionally) that mirrors very basic western therapeutic talk, simply because it is helpful for a larger range of people, including those who might be looking for relief from depression, anxiety etc.

Here are some names I'd start with:

Tenzin Wangyal

Reggie Ray -I think his writing is great therapeutically, and is partially influenced by some "Secular" therapies, but some people find him somehow triggering or dark - as a warning

Mingyur Rinpoche

Tsokni Rinpoche

Some of Tarthang Tulkus old books are very good too in this way.

Basically yes, there are some very helpful teachings out there for depression, simply because Buddhist practice will help you deal with your own mental experiences better. That said, a good approach is to get a Buddhist or at least mindfulness-based therapy person to guide you as to what practices might help you.



There's an example of the sort of thing Mingyur Rinpoche does which is quite applicable to basic mental health.



There's a simple practice that Tenzin Wangyal Teaches in a form that I have actually used with people I've counseled - addiction counseling btw, I feel like it gets very good results and for the most part is very simple for people to understand.

I got involved in Buddhism initially largely because I thought it would help with my lifetime mental health issues (anxiety, depression, some substance abuse issues), and I ended up staying because I found that working with these issues made me ask deeper questions, and only served to further confirm that Buddhism itself really makes sense.
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared

-Khunu Lama
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LastLegend
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by LastLegend »

Silencemonkey is right when mind is focus it becomes clear and won’t draw into repetitive behavior of mind.
It’s eye blinking.
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LastLegend
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by LastLegend »

It’s what we know as pure mind versus karmic driven even in subtlety.
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LastLegend
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by LastLegend »

We have to be still, clear, and pure. Anything opposite is karmic distraction manifesting.
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muni
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Re: Buddhism and depression

Post by muni »

Somatic. Hormones for example can cause depressive moods. One elder lady said I have been a monstre during menopauze, had no control over my mind, saw all so very negative. There are alternative harmless medicines for that. Or after delivering a child depressive moods can arise.

Hormones influence of course men as well. Never grasp to addictive mood changers, these are destroying only.
Problems with thyroid...
H H Dalai Lama said once in a public talk hormones could form a problem, these influence.

A general check of health could be.

There can be blockages in the body, perhaps ask help to a Master. Ask about mantra.

There are as well body-mind interactions ( walk, sport...) helping to relax as already said here.

With much love to you.
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