Spirituality/Religion vs. Depression

[Sirona]

Hmmm...I think it is possible person gets depressed even when doing good work. People are weak and make mistakes. However, I think there reason for depression is always that person sees some problem too big. And I think the solution is to see it in right scale, or light. That does not mean that the problem goes instantly away, it just makes it back to its right size. Can you tell what caused depression for Theresa of Calcutta?

Only God knows this. Perhaps she turned to the unloved and miserable because she inwardly perceived herself that way, and perhaps her inner sense of God-forsakenness and the outward sight of people in misery reinforced each other negatively. You may also remember that in Catholicism suffering ("for the sake of Christ") is seen as something good and desirable, a sign of "holiness". So she might have thought that what she was doing was good and right. A hypothetical saint who would take antidepressants would probably not look as spectacular in public opinion as the "clearly suffering" Teresa of Calcutta did.

You see,once you start with the question of spirituality and depression, you open a can of worms.

 

[CharmingOwl]

Being the leader of a new religion makes me feel fanatic and gives me a purpose. However I wouldn't seek a religion as treatment for depression and would recommend new treatments for depression based on DXM and bupropion that I have heard of recently. Personally I think aligning chakras helps a lot but it's not a replacement for doing things in the physical world. If anything, the things you do in the physical world to care for yourself are a part of chakra alignment.

 

[1213]

Only God knows this. Perhaps she turned to the unloved and miserable because she inwardly perceived herself that way, and perhaps her inner sense of God-forsakenness and the outward sight of people in misery reinforced each other negatively. You may also remember that in Catholicism suffering ("for the sake of Christ") is seen as something good and desirable, a sign of "holiness". So she might have thought that what she was doing was good and right. A hypothetical saint who would take antidepressants would probably not look as spectacular in public opinion as the "clearly suffering" Teresa of Calcutta did.

You see,once you start with the question of spirituality and depression, you open a can of worms.

Sorry, I don't see that.

It is interesting why they think suffering is desirable. I think it can be bearable for person who knows Jesus and God well, but I don't think it is something that should be sought. And perhaps that is the mistake she made, if she deliberately sought suffering, for example to show she is her self more than others.

I don't know her well enough to know what was her situation. It is sad if she was depressed and I think it could have been overcome with help from others. But, if there is an idea of deliberately suffering, for to look like higher than others, or to gain something, I think that is a problem and wrong.

 

[an anarchist]

Bump bump.

Spirituality HELLA combats depression, at least for me. I’ve been non spiritual for the past while and this past year I’ve been very depressed. Doctors give me pills that are supposed to make me not depressed, but I am still depressed. These past six months I’ve been stuck in a depressed stupor.

This past week I’ve picked up spirituality again. Meditating, Tai Chi, praying, reading. And this past week, I got my house clean! I’m doing stuff! I feel a lot better! I’m not just sitting here waiting to die!

Spirituality for the win!!!! Take that, depression!

 

[JustGeorge]

Bump bump.

Spirituality HELLA combats depression, at least for me. I’ve been non spiritual for the past while and this past year I’ve been very depressed. Doctors give me pills that are supposed to make me not depressed, but I am still depressed. These past six months I’ve been stuck in a depressed stupor.

This past week I’ve picked up spirituality again. Meditating, Tai Chi, praying, reading. And this past week, I got my house clean! I’m doing stuff! I feel a lot better! I’m not just sitting here waiting to die!

Spirituality for the win!!!! Take that, depression!

That's wonderful!

Spirituality is important for my mental health, too.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Bump bump.

Spirituality HELLA combats depression, at least for me. I’ve been non spiritual for the past while and this past year I’ve been very depressed. Doctors give me pills that are supposed to make me not depressed, but I am still depressed. These past six months I’ve been stuck in a depressed stupor.

This past week I’ve picked up spirituality again. Meditating, Tai Chi, praying, reading. And this past week, I got my house clean! I’m doing stuff! I feel a lot better! I’m not just sitting here waiting to die!

Spirituality for the win!!!! Take that, depression!

Congratulations! I’m very happy to hear that you are overcoming your struggle with depression. I read somewhere that man is a spiritual being and only when he lives a spiritual life can he be truly happy. Our spirit like the body needs food to nourish it which only things like prayer and meditation can do.

 

[an anarchist]

man is a spiritual being and only when he lives a spiritual life can he be truly happy.

That’s certainly how it feels like for me.

I think back to my moments of serenity, and they all are moments when I was in deep spiritual practice.

I am foolish often. I stray away from spirituality for whatever reason and lose my happiness and peace.

 

[JustGeorge]

I am foolish often. I stray away from spirituality for whatever reason and lose my happiness and peace.

Why do you think you do that?

 

[an anarchist]

Why do you think you do that?

Sometimes it’s laziness and apathy. Sometimes it’s because I’m distracted and don’t prioritize spirituality. Sometimes I’m confused and scared by the knowledge and sight. That probably sums it up.