My realization that my depression was un-caused and fundamental, and not a mental disease was itself a great relief.
Hello Friends,
For readers outside India, the paperback version of my book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? is now available on Amazon.com. Here is the link to Amazon.com where both formats are now available, paperback and Kindle:
Series 24
I have mentioned in my book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? as well as earlier on in this blog, how I have myself suffered from years of depression, meaninglessness, despair and anxiety. I remember how I oscillated between imagining supposed reasons for this suffering on the one hand, and thinking something was wrong with me (clinical depression?) on the other. Both were difficult propositions and made my existence even more distressing.
For, I was never convinced of the external 'reasons' for my distress, and questioned how I could be so miserable due to the supposed 'reasons'. Fortunately, this stance prevented me from blaming others, which is often the case. On the other hand, admitting that my unhappiness had nothing to do with my circumstance, gave me some relief initially, but I found myself trapped in what appeared to be a psychiatric condition, for which the only solution seemed medication prescribed by a doctor. Having read extensively how prevalent clinical depression was, I was worried about my future. Moreover, medication only attempts to alter the brain chemistry. What you feel in your spirit stays, though it could get a bit muzzled.
It is while I was living this spectare of life long 'treatment' of clinical depression that I stumbled upon the entirely different paradigm:
Even before I got onto the journey towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS, I got a tremendous sense of relief just to be aware of the above mentioned paradigm. It was as if everything was falling into place for the first time. As if a mega jigsaw puzzle was getting solved. The journey was even richer - a deep process of self discovery.
From where does the sense of relief come? Firstly, when you know there is no external cause that is causing unhappiness, at least you are saved the trouble and the constant pressure to rectify the situation surrounding you. That is what we do whenever we are troubled by something. We try to change our circumstance or get out of it, and that's the right thing to do whenever the source of the problem is external. Once you know that the source of unhappiness is not external, then it is a relief to know that you have to do nothing about things external to you. However, people get into bigger and more difficult traps when they start unfairly blaming others, often creating hate objects or indulging in victim-hood. All that gives a false sense of self, and it gets difficult to shed the baggage.
Once you are convinced that there is no external cause, you focus inwards. If it is further clear that you are not suffering from any mental disease, it is fantastic news. You just have to gather the courage to face up to yourself, and find your way through this suffering.
For readers outside India, the paperback version of my book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? is now available on Amazon.com. Here is the link to Amazon.com where both formats are now available, paperback and Kindle:
(please click on the link above)
Series 24
I have mentioned in my book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? as well as earlier on in this blog, how I have myself suffered from years of depression, meaninglessness, despair and anxiety. I remember how I oscillated between imagining supposed reasons for this suffering on the one hand, and thinking something was wrong with me (clinical depression?) on the other. Both were difficult propositions and made my existence even more distressing.
For, I was never convinced of the external 'reasons' for my distress, and questioned how I could be so miserable due to the supposed 'reasons'. Fortunately, this stance prevented me from blaming others, which is often the case. On the other hand, admitting that my unhappiness had nothing to do with my circumstance, gave me some relief initially, but I found myself trapped in what appeared to be a psychiatric condition, for which the only solution seemed medication prescribed by a doctor. Having read extensively how prevalent clinical depression was, I was worried about my future. Moreover, medication only attempts to alter the brain chemistry. What you feel in your spirit stays, though it could get a bit muzzled.
It is while I was living this spectare of life long 'treatment' of clinical depression that I stumbled upon the entirely different paradigm:
- that what you feel as un-caused depression is actually a sign of early spiritual growth
- that this FUNDAMENTAL UNHAPPINESS is the reality of basic human existence that most of us are able to repress and block out - well, almost
- that the way is to grow further at the level of being, instead of struggling with your mind
- that there is no way out of it; the way is only through it
- when you go through it to the other side, it is a life of peace and joy.
Even before I got onto the journey towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS, I got a tremendous sense of relief just to be aware of the above mentioned paradigm. It was as if everything was falling into place for the first time. As if a mega jigsaw puzzle was getting solved. The journey was even richer - a deep process of self discovery.
From where does the sense of relief come? Firstly, when you know there is no external cause that is causing unhappiness, at least you are saved the trouble and the constant pressure to rectify the situation surrounding you. That is what we do whenever we are troubled by something. We try to change our circumstance or get out of it, and that's the right thing to do whenever the source of the problem is external. Once you know that the source of unhappiness is not external, then it is a relief to know that you have to do nothing about things external to you. However, people get into bigger and more difficult traps when they start unfairly blaming others, often creating hate objects or indulging in victim-hood. All that gives a false sense of self, and it gets difficult to shed the baggage.
Once you are convinced that there is no external cause, you focus inwards. If it is further clear that you are not suffering from any mental disease, it is fantastic news. You just have to gather the courage to face up to yourself, and find your way through this suffering.
I keep coming back to this central theme of my blog: that this path is available to everyone. Even those who do not feel unduly depressed or anxious, like I felt, can make this shift to durable HAPPINESS.
Once again, I extend my offer of receiving queries either through the blog or Facebook or direct email. I assure all readers full confidentiality.
Once again, I extend my offer of receiving queries either through the blog or Facebook or direct email. I assure all readers full confidentiality.
Cheers!
Deepak Chatterjee
chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com
www.facebook/deepak.chatterjee.944
@Deepak33C
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