The Lazy Yogi

liquideyez asked: Today someone asked me a question I was not prepared to answer. A guy I know only thru a mutual friend asked me "How do u cure depression?" to which I only had mediocre responses. The more I talked to him the more he jsut made it clear that destruction is the only thing that temporarily relieves his frustration. I'd like to give him some advice but I dont know what to say...

Depression cannot be cured. There is nothing one can do about feeling depressed. The only thing you can address is the root of depression. When depression has no root, it will wander away. Depression is like a plant with deep roots. You can cut it down using meds, destruction, or whatever, but the depression will grow back. 

Depression is created by the human condition. People who look outwardly for what they need to find inwardly will invariably become depressed. 

People think the opposite of being depressed means being happy. But that tension between what we think we should be and what we are is part of what contributes to depression. The ‘cure’ for depression is also the ‘cure’ for happiness: peace. 

The human condition has two main spiritual symptoms: restlessness and separation. When you no longer feel restless nor disconnected from the cosmos, then there will be no depression. How to accomplish this? Meditation.

Things like faith, surrender, and devotion make it more immediate but meditation will get you there sooner or later—permanently. 

I get lots of questions about depression. Almost a quarter of the questions I receive are depression related. This is not because there is lots of mental illness out there. It is because we are taught to think of our selves as separate which then creates a restlessness to enjoy, achieve, succeed, create, destroy, and other such desires. 

I always feel comfortable recommending the book the Power of Now because I know it will send those who are earnestly looking for solutions in the right direction. 

Namaste :)