Depression: Prevention via Understanding

Depression is different from a temporary feeling of low mood and despair. Clinical depression, often described as emotional isolation, is characterized by profound sadness, fatigue, and a sense of worthlessness and guilt that lasts for two weeks or longer. Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders and the second leading cause of disability worldwide. It is estimated that more than 350 million people, or about 4% of the global population, suffer from depression. In supportive communities, a strong sense of connection, interaction, and shared responsibilities can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing depression.

A loss of interest or pleasure in activities often accompanies a depressed mood. This includes other symptoms, such as difficulties with sleep, appetite, energy levels, concentration, and self-esteem. Depression typically affects individuals when their sense of confidence is challenged rather than during times of increased influence. Those suffering from depression often struggle to respond effectively, and their weakened mental state is marked by a lack of confidence, trust, and motivation. Emotional rigidity, negativity, increased sensitivity, and a strong inward focus further isolate those who are depressed. Because depression inhibits social interaction, it can be likened to a psychological death. The degradation of personal will and motivation makes it difficult for individuals to be emotionally affected by life events.

Additionally, those experiencing depression may perceive time as slowing down; this sluggish mindset can lead to hesitancy in decision-making and physical movements. Individuals with a history of depression tend to experience a heightened sense of guilt. Their minds may be overwhelmed by delusions about past mistakes and feel hopeless about the future. Those burdened with guilt and insecurity may feel a painful detachment from family and friends, causing their need for excessive generosity. Furthermore, uncertainty can amplify feelings of shame, which stem from a perceived loss of mental strength. High expectations in stressful environments or abusive relationships can also contribute to the onset of depression.

How to overcome depression?

Clinical depression requires professional help. Prevention is the best treatment for depression. One way to do this is to connect with loved ones, whether family, friends or a higher power. Finding connections in nature can also be beneficial—consider planting a garden or adopting a pet. Engaging in meaningful physical activities or sports can also help improve mental well-being.

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Copyright © 2017 by Eva Deli

Emotional stability: a requirement for mental progress

Endless Knot

Emotional stability gives rise to healthy relationships and overall well-being and brings about long-term personal, professional advancement. In an earlier post, I detailed the important role of mental stability in long-term health. Negative emotional states correspond to detail-oriented processing that fractures perception. Behind negative emotional states is an energetic imbalance of chronic enhanced brain frequencies, leading to mental control grabbing, in an analog process to gravity. A type of mental contraction, a negative emotional state is conserved over time, so can be called temporal (or emotional) gravity. Just like gravity is necessary for material existence, temporal gravity is essential for healthy social life. However, as excessive gravity impedes movement, excessive temporal gravity slows progress. As a boat, which is rocking side-to-side cannot travel with fast speed, a wavering, negative mind is incapable of mental progress. A turbulent mind is plagued by its undigested, non-distilled negative past experiences, which cause back and forth emotional swings, canceling progress. Fortunately, there are two trusted, although diametrically opposing ways toward mental stability. The first, meditation was discovered and perfected by Eastern religious practitioners and sages, the second is a practical goal oriented stance, which is although common to all cultures, it has gained special emphasis in the monotheistic traditions of the Middle East. Whereas meditation starts out from a change in thinking, goal getting changes behavior first. Let's look at them in turn.

Meditation trains the mind for concentration, compassion, correct understanding, patience, humility, and perseverance. Meditation requires an inner state that is still and one-pointed so that the mind becomes silent and turns inward to achieve peace and tranquility. The regular practice of meditation stabilizes the mind to increase self-satisfaction, happiness, and joy. Meditation guides attention toward the experience of the present moment. Focusing on past problems is discouraged, so is the future goals and dreams of the personal universe. Denying the past and the future squeezes the mind into the bliss of the moment, from which the future can naturally unfold. By emphasizing independence from the world it creates emotional neutrality, equanimity. Going back to the boat example, meditation stops the boat from rocking, allowing it to gracefully move on.

The great monotheist religions of the world (Jewish, Islam, and Christianity) emphasize morality and produce an engaging, practical worldview by permitting and even encouraging an active stance to life, a participation in worldly affairs. They also acknowledge a connection to others and even to things by a selfless, altruistic love. For example, humbleness, which is a central theme of Christianity, is the accepting, open mind. But humbleness is not weakness, but an active, albeit a non-aggressive approach to life. Indeed, in western culture, the greatest scientific, artistic and religious achievements are manifestations of love, inner confidence, and intellectual fluidity. Importantly, like meditation, goal orientation also results in happiness and joy. Einstein was famous for his humbleness, and childish curiosity. His writings unequivocally demonstrate his enormous love for all things and people. Orienting toward a goal means living slightly ahead of the present, an inherent ignorance of present problems. The size of goals is an automatic perspective; the bigger goals, the smaller momentary problem appear. Looking at our boat example, a goal-oriented mind's focus on the future leaves little energy for rocking side-to-side by negative emotions.

Fortunately, we do not have to choose between the above forms of mental transformation, for long-term success we should practice both. Although meditation is a natural generator of mental stability, it does not naturally lend itself for an inner drive toward earthly goals, which is the essential ingredient of productive social life, a contribution toward the betterment of the larger community. On the other hand, a goal-oriented path, which is effective for professional and personal success, can lead to an egoistic drive that involves cheating and other dishonest means toward success. However, the twenty-first century changes our way of life dramatically and at a fast pace. The democratization of access to information will transform the way we shop, work and think. Cheating will be short-circuited. Success by dishonest means will be the thing of the past. Do you have a personal experience, insight? Please share your feedback, or comment below.

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Copyright © 2017 by Eva Deli