FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS Series 13 - WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2013

World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2013

Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme is "mental health and older adults". A lot of discussions and debates are going to take place. There are serious mental health issues, like dementia, that concern the aged. Other serious conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia could afflict the young as well as the aged. 

The more common mental situations like depression and anxiety are reaching alarming proportions. The statistic on the incidence of depression is itself depressing. And, India is rated as one of the most 'unhappy' countries.

As you read the reports, the focus inevitably is on the causes of depression: lifestyles, work pressure and even dietary habits and genes! Eventually depression is seen as a manifestation of  altered 'brain chemistry' that needs to be set right through medication. The pharma industry is ever eager to be ready with the supply of anti-depressants and tranquilizers.  

As a person who has been through all this, and has come out on the other side, FUNDAMENTALLY HAPPY, it pains me to see how all attempts at tackling depression are always stuck at the level of the brain, and  hence, the mind, and not at the level of spirit, where the solution lies. 

• That ordinary uncaused depression or anxiety is not a mental disease but a sign of spiritual growth is completely missed out.

• That the way out is to seek further growth by embarking on a non-religious spiritual journey towards what I call FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS is also overlooked.

• That suffering from anxiety and depression could be an excellent opportunity to grow is often ignored. 

• That you could move towards a blissful existence, by honestly acknowledging and feeling your suffering, is not understood. It does not dwell in the psychiatrist's domain of thought.

• That this journey needs authenticity and a bit of courage, beyond which it is simple and straightforward, is also not recognized.

It is going to be my persistent effort to propagate these ideas through this blog. All my posts, starting from the first one on 23rd July, 2013 until Series 12 dated 25th September, 2013 are devoted to these ways of bringing real HAPPINESS to your lives. 

My book, "ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY?: FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS" got launched on 4th October, 2013 at Crossword Book Store, Kemp's Corner, Mumbai. The book was launched by Ad Guru Prahlad Kakar and Actor Rajat Kapoor. Here are some pictures:

The book is available at Crossword, Landmark and Media Mart stores in India. You can also buy it online from the links provided on the top right corner of this page. If you are in the US or other geographies, you will soon be able to buy it from Amazon.com. I will convey it to you through this blog when that channel is ready.

Series 13

Now let us start from where we finished Series 12. 

I have discussed in detail how focusing on different parts of your body, on your breathing, and generally focusing inwards, at the same time accepting and noticing whatever pain you may feel, is one of the ways of dissolving your depression or anxiety. Also, as I have been stressing, your orientation has to be that of submission, of surrender. 

I have also explained how you can extend this exercise to any time of the day when you have nothing to do, even if it is for 15 minutes or so, while waiting for transport, while in a queue, or while traveling. Basically, these are exercises to be with yourself. And, we usually do the opposite: we do everything possible to ensure that we do not spend time with ourselves. We keep busy, run after things, activities, pursuits... the result is that we are running away from ourselves.

Now, let us learn another extension of the same exercise: develop the practice of always keeping a certain degree of attention within yourself, even while doing anything else. Do not confuse this with being distracted. Rather, it is possible to do whatever you are doing with full attention, and at the same time, be conscious of your being. With time, you will realize that you have developed the ability of focusing on every act from being, instead of excessively using your mind. When you are having your cup of tea or coffee at your workplace, fully enjoy it. Do not mix it with work. Relish every sip. Also, be aware of yourself. This way you can enjoy your drink from being. Listen to music, obviously with your ears, but also from being. This will add a richness to your life that you may have not have tasted before. You are now well on your journey towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS.

Cheers!

Deepak Chatterjee

chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com
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twitter: @Deepak33C

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