subject: Fighting With Depression Using Zen Approach [print this page] Often we get depressed because something makes us. Our job may suck, our family may be ruined - all of these things can definitely add to your depression. However, it is not enough to just get rid of those, because there's no guarantee that some new things won't pop up in our life and ruin it.
In addition to eliminating everything that bothers us, we need to adapt a new approach to life. Many people speak about that, raving about "positive thinking" and "not seeing the obstacles". I've tried to apply all of those views in my life, and while they did manage to help me for a while, none of them held.
I blamed myself for that. I thought I was doing something wrong - or that I was simply not good enough. "Others do it better", - I thought to myself. However, I still needed to understandhow to fight depression.
Finally, I managed to realize that nothing was wrong with me. On the contrary, I understood that rather those teachings were wrong because all of them were based on self-deceit.
Overcoming depression is not about changing your lens from negative to positive one, because both of them are not true. Overcoming depression is learning to see and accept the world the way it is, without judging or trying to change it to fit your understanding.
There is a philosophy that teaches that approach, it's called "Zen". Nobody can really be told what Zen is, you have to find it your for yourself, but here's a good starting point - don't judge. Don't judge the world, don't judge the people, don't judge anything.
Even if you're in a heat of a fight - try not to judge your opponents. Accept everything that happens and react accordingly. Don't be helpless, but react without anger, pain or fear. Be yourself, face the world - and you will soon see that your depression was nothing more than just prejudice.
