Depression & Healing Support Group Organizing

Recently some people have expressed interest in forming a support group for those who struggle with depressive states and who are, or would like to be, involved in some form of meditation practice. The point of this post is to find out how much interest there might be in such a group, and if there’s enough response we’ll work out the next step.  To clarify:  you don’t have to be a sangha member to be part of this group, just someone who wants to work on these issues with others in the context of a meditation practice.

    So many people now struggle with depressive states, and when they hit, it can be tough going. As Windhorse member Keith Carpenter writes:

    When one is in a depressive state, the world is gray, energy to do the simplest tasks is not there, the tendency is to want to isolate oneself from the world. One feels frozen and drowning in a sea of negative thoughts. Emotions are raw, primitive, and deep - there is something, reptilian, instinctual about them. One tends to do the opposite of what is healing - getting out, telling people what is going on and making healthy choices. Getting rest, refreshing sleep, adequate and nutritious food, exercise, an adequate amount of zazen, talking to trustworthy friends and taking an antidepressant if needed, have all been helpful. I believe the trick is to stay aware of what is going on moment by moment without judgment, and without trying to push the experience away or deny it.  Life may be suffering (or 'unsatisfactoriness'), but depression adds suffering stacked on top of suffering.

        So if you’re interested in working on this with others, send an email to Windhorse (via the Contact Us page). Feel free to send a link for this article on to others who may wish to participate, and know that all names and email addresses will remain confidential.