8Th Eye ॐ: A TEACHING ON DEPRESSION by Ven. Thubten Gyatso
Depression is a state of extreme unhappiness, described by sufferers in a recent BBC radio program as a black, dismal, dungeon of despair; as a stifling hot room with no means of escape; as a heavy overcoat of pain with the buttons soldered together; and as like walking through treacle. It is…
Generally I can really appreciate Buddhist values, but I have a serious problem with this. Personally, I have never, ever given up on loving others and putting them before myself, and I still ended up with seven (going on eight) years of major depression: severe enough to force me to drop out of school for years, lose relationships with friends and family, and almost commit suicide a few times. If this belief is true, then how did I end up depressed when I was already making sure to give, love, forgive, and do everything I could to help others (even those I didn’t know) and show them how much they mattered to both myself and the world instead of looking to personal gain for my happiness? I have never been one to place more value on myself and my personal pleasures than the others that I share this world with. Depression is an illness that generally stems from a mixture of biological and psychological factors, exactly as you said. It is not going to necessarily be a result of the “overriding cause” you present (self-cherishing, or being selfish), nor should someone be told that if they only give more to others they’ll be miraculously cured.
I was not selfish, and I did not bring this onto myself. I do not appreciate people telling me that had I done more for others I wouldn’t have fallen ill.
