How many of us really know what
depression is, I guess barely the people who actually suffer. In scientific
terms, the level of depression varies from a mere temporary phase to a daily
challenge. It is not a mental problem so stop judging people by saying they are
negative or pessimistic as you never know how much a person is trying hard to
even survive on the hourly or daily basis. Depression is nothing but a chemical
imbalance where one person has a higher tendency to feel sadness than others.
Some people out there goes in a phase of merely seclusion not talking much or
lack of appetite while others can have severe suicidal thoughts and daily fight
with their own fundamental darkness to still go on. Based on culture and
country, some people say it openly that yes they have this problem and they go
for counselling while others never even realize or say it loudly that yes they
have depression.
Well how Buddhism plays a rule
in this medical issue is very interesting? With the changing lifestyle and more
attraction for materialistic things, love, perfect body, big home and a big fat
salary yet a happening life has put us under a lot of pressure. In result to
all this, lately we all suffer with this problem at some level or the other.
Now the good thing is as a Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism practitioner, I have
found a tool to take the responsibility of my life in my own hands with chanting:
NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO, human revolution and with expansion of my own life, I can
deal with it. I met a Buddhist leader once and in his lecture he shared that he
suffered with chronic depression and still he challenges it on daily basis. But
like Buddhism says we all are special with our own characteristics. We don´t
need to change ourselves rather we need to create value with our own special
qualities. While a shy person can use his shyness to be a good listener, an
extrovert person can become a leader and a short temper person can stand up for
the right things. Similarly depression has its own benefits like it has blessed
me a compassionate heart to see others with open mind and not judge them,
empathy to not any less for their pain and problems than mine. Rather a heart
of compassion holds the power of empathy but not sympathy or pitying on
someone. You can genuinely be there for others without any judgments about them
or their actions.
Scientific logic:
Have you ever heard about the
concept that before public speaking if you are nervous shout and release it?
Similar logic helps in Buddhism with continuous chanting with a determined sound
helps your body release your emotions while the determination leaves you with a
positive image in your head. On the other side Buddhism and your faith in
practice always leave you with hope and self-belief that you can do anything
which seems impossible. Nothing happens outside it all happened by your own
responsibility for your own actions. The main cause behind depression getting worse
is we start turning into our own shells. While with continuous support of
Buddhism members, I never need to hide in my own shell. While buddhism
activities helped me polish myself as who I am and make me realize of my own
inner potentials. Personally I as a shy person for my whole life realized that
I still prefer to be a listener but when I have an opportunity of presentation
at work or somewhere else I simply enjoy it. I found poetry and sketching as my
ways to deal with my emotions in a constructive way.
Sometimes people have popped up
the question if it can be cured I will say yes and no both. I am not going to
preach anything, I am going to tell you my side of story. Yes I suffer with
depression and panic attacks and have faced the chronic phase for really long
time. But I no more worry about it. Every time daily affairs try to bog me down
I know that I am lacking a sincere practice and I immediately go back to my chanting
and reconnect with my own Buddhahood i.e. my best friend. I also become more
active in my daily life through Buddhism activities, making an effort to meet
other members or friends and family. Thereby, depression can be constructive as
well so stop bothering yourself with the idea that you are suffering with a
problem rather standup and take pride in yourself and cherish it. Believe me
with Buddhism practice you will discover a new side of it, people will see the
genuineness of you while you try to stand by others side in their problems.
They will find a real person in you. I bet you, may be you won´t be there for
their happy times but they know that you will always be there for their bad
days.
¨Suffer what there is to
suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Suffering and joy both are the facts of
life.¨
Happy chanting J
