FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS Series 44 - DEPRESSION: THRESHOLD TO A NEW KIND OF JOY

DEPRESSION: THRESHOLD TO A NEW KIND OF JOY

Hi Friends,

So, how is it going? I do get a sense, from the comments and queries I receive, that many of you are imbibing my thoughts. Tentativeness and hesitance are natural; please take your time.

Probably, the new paradigm that has crept into your consciousness still resides in your minds. You have to let go of your mind. Once you have understood, or more importantly, appreciated the possibility of a new shift in your life, the mind has no further role to play. Our brains have no role in our journey towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS. But of course you need to understand what I write, and honestly notice yourself. Execution is at the level of spirit. And to reach spirit, you can use parts of your body and processes like breathing, heart beats etc. Observe them quietly. I have dwelt on the 'how to' in several past posts. Here is the link to one of my earlier posts on how to go about it: (please click here).

I keep coming back to my favorite topic: depression. Why not? I owe so much to the depression and angst I have suffered in the past. But for that, I would have been leading an artificial, flat, half-life. I would have missed the richness, the fullness and depth of my present joyful existence. Only deep depression has made this possible.

That's why I keep saying that if you can locate uncaused depression in you, you are the lucky one. Don't run to a psychiatrist. He will pull you down through medication and prevent you from growing further into a blissful existence.

Yes, while suffering uncaused depression you are at the threshold of joyful existence. This is a different kind of JOY. We are so used to getting happiness from 'external things' that it is often difficult to imagine any other kind of happiness. Can we ever imagine FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS? This happiness is just there. 

We have numbed our senses in a noisy world. We have further numbed ourselves by running after so many 'things' that we miss the subtle opportunities of noticing bouts of inner JOY.

Enjoy everything in life, but from clear awareness that none of that will bring JOY in your life. If you understand this aspect of life then you will not cling to or crave for these external 'things'. This way, you enjoy them even more! Is that not a wonderful state to be in?

Here are links to some past posts that are worth revisiting at leisure (just click on them to read):

Psychological Depression Vs. Uncaused Depression

Uncaused Depression is a sign of Growth

The Only Permanent Cure from Depression

How to Celebrate Uncaused Depression?

Keep Reading! Cheers!

Deepak Chatterjee

chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/ChatterjeeDeepak

@Deepak33C

If you are following this blog through email, the post that you receive in your in-box does not have the blog archives and other features. At times the formatting is not good. For a better view you can see the entire blog at: 

http://fundamentalhappiness.blogspot.com/

FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS Series 34 - Psychological Depression vs Uncaused Depression

Psychological Depression vs Uncaused Depression

Hello Friends,

Amazon (USA)

Amazon (UK)

Amazon (France)

Amazon (Germany)

Amazon (Canada)

[You can now also buy the e-book version of ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? in India from Flipkart. You don't need a Kindle device to read in this format. Click here: Flipkart e-book]

Here's a new post. An understanding of the crucial distinction between the two kinds of depression mentioned in the title of this post is crucial. I keep getting questions on this from interested readers of this blog as well as of the book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? These point towards need for greater clarity. Readers appreciate the nuanced difference, seem to understand, but do have lingering questions. That's very good. It's only when a new idea agitates and excites your mind that questions come forth. 

We do feel unhappy due to real events surrounding us. But this unhappiness is temporary. It could be due to financial loss, tiff with someone dear, health concerns, job stress etc. The unhappiness goes away when the cause is removed or addressed. Or, often, with the passage of time, we move on and the unhappiness is shed. This is PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPRESSION. At times, this depression persists, far beyond what one would have normally expected. Depending on the severity, one may even run to a psychiatrist. 

It would then be worthwhile to be aware that there is another unhappiness that pervades our being at the core of our very existence. It is there without any reason. This is UNCAUSED DEPRESSION. It has nothing to do with your circumstances. This blog and my book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? are all about this fundamental human condition. If you still have doubts, well, the way we avoid loneliness, keep our schedules packed with activities, fully structure even 'free time', run after things, and dread boredom are some of the signs that we do get faint hints of this basic human condition, which we somehow manage to keep under wraps. Similarly, don't we at times find ourselves in a 'bad mood' or on a short fuse for no apparent reason?? 

Yes, we rush to give 'reasons' for all this. All we need is a little authenticity and courage to take an honest look at ourselves. Don't blame yourself. This is the fundamental human condition from which we all seek redemption, but end up doing the opposite. There are numerous plays, films, works of art that have intensely captured this FUNDAMENTAL UNHAPPINESS that is stubbornly entrenched in human existence. 

Now, what happens is that this uncaused depression, which is normally deeply embedded and hardly noticeable, often gets triggered when we are psychologically depressed. The two kinds of depression get mixed up. We feel both, but ascribe all unhappiness to the known external causes. Sometimes the external cause may have become irrelevant, but the basic human unease is still there - just under the skin. So we continue to feel depressed!

In many cases, the fundamental inner condition of human existence, uncaused depression being one of them, gets fully exposed. Something that was conveniently locked up within us is now revealed. The irony is that this is actually good news! For you are now feeling yourself more than ever before. You have risen in spirit. You need to rise further to feel the JOY of existence.

Unfortunately, the psychiatrist community does not yet recognise this spiritual dimension. For them it is all about 'altered brain chemistry' that has to be set right with medication.

It is a futile exercise trying to segregate the two kinds of unhappiness. But, being aware that part of it could be the fundamental uncaused kind, itself helps. 

Rather, I have stated in my posts that you can use any kind of unhappiness as a portal to move through it towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS.

I have been through all this, which is why I have a strong motivation to make people realize that this fundamental unease within human beings is real. But it can be transcended by honestly acknowledging it, giving up all struggle and defence against it, then walking through it to the other side to witness JOY.

I recommend that you go back to Series 10 (click here), latter parts of Series 12 (click here) and 13 (click here), and Series 16 (click here) where I have described the practices in detail. You can go back to any Series by using the Blog Archives on the right panel of this page. It helps to keep revisiting the pages and allow the idea to seep in. For full details and more practical examples, you have to read the book.

What about those who consider themselves happy? I have covered that in Series 6 (click here). You can go back to it. Have fun!

Come on friends, have faith in yourself and your consciousness. This is a golden opportunity available to everyone to bring a qualitative shift in our lives. For how long are we going to lead a life of diversion and distraction? Let's get real. And, from that position of awareness, let us also enjoy what life has to offer us.

Cheers!

Deepak Chatterjee

chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/deepak.chatterjee.944

@Deepak33C

If you are following this blog through email, you will notice that the post that you receive in your in-box does not have the blog archives and other features. At times the formatting is not good. For a better view you can see the entire blog at: 

http://fundamentalhappiness.blogspot.com/

views are personal