Episode Transcript
What does Buddhism say about depression? What do Buddhists think of mental illness? Can a Buddhist even get depressed? On today’s episode, I’d like to get a bit more personal about my experience with spirituality and depression. Let’s talk about Buddhism and depression. Welcome to Making Friends with Depression.
Hello friends, and welcome to Season 2 of Making Friends with Depression. I am your host, Charles Minguez. We took off the last few weeks, in between the seasons, but here I am are happy to be back in action.
At the top of the show, I’d like to take care of some housekeeping. Hey, listen. If you enjoy the show, please do me a favor and rate and review it on whatever podcast platform you listen on. It really does help drive the show up the charts.
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You can find links for the merch store, Patreon, etc., in the show notes and over at Making Friends With Depression dot com.
Hey, before we start the show, here’s some background information so you know why I’m doing this podcast.
My History With Depression and Mindfulness
My history with depression and mindfulness goes something like this. I’ve lived most of my life with major depression and schizoaffective disorder. I was first diagnosed at 13, and I’m now in my 40’s. So, mental illness and wellness have been a big part of my life.
I have spent over twenty years studying mindfulness. I started with yogic philosophy at the Yoga Life Institute. But over time, I found my way to Buddhism. I’m a practicing Buddhist and sometimes teach beginner meditation classes.
As my healing progressed, I volunteered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, also known as NAMI, and facilitated meetings for adults experiencing poor mental wellness.
My story, plus my lived experience, is something that I hope others find inspirational. My motivation, however, is to give back and help others. This podcast is just one way that I can do that.
I Am Not a Therapist
But listen, I’m not a therapist, and I’m not a counselor. The content on this show is not meant to be taken as medical advice. I’m only trying to inspire hope by sharing my story and the techniques that helped me during my healing process because I think you will find them helpful too.
So if that all sounds good to you, welcome to another episode, and we can dive into the content of today’s show.
Now for today’s show. Buddhism and Depression
So last year, I wrote a piece for The Good Men Project and a new mental health app called ShareSpace. The Good Men Project editor asked if I would write a “relatable post about experiences.” The idea of the collaboration was meant to help folks feel like they can work towards solving their issues with mental health, plus have a community of like-minded individuals over at SharesSpace.
So I submitted a bunch of jumbled-up words and titled it 'Weathering the Storm: How I Manage My Anxiety and Depression.' I'm not sure what I offered was a “relatable” experience, and I don't know if it will solve others' issues. But I do know what I shared is the truth.
As I typed out the words, I thought about my spiritual practice and mental health. For the last, maybe ten years or so, I've been a practicing Buddhist. I took refuge vows, have been on retreats, and received empowerments, which are these wonderful Buddhist events. As far as spiritual practice goes, this is mine. I'm committed, but what has it taught me about my depression?
One of Buddha's First Teachings is That Life is Suffering. Say, what?
Buddha said in the Four Noble Truths, which was one of his first teachings, that "You should know sufferings." It struck me that some people hear this as grim, and honestly, for someone with anxiety or depression, it probably doesn’t sound very inviting.
The idea of people mishearing this teaching was validated when someone in a private Buddhist Facebook group I belong to actually said, "Isn't this anxiety-provoking?"
When Buddha said we should know suffering, he was referring to suffering in future lives. But this teaching is relevant even if you don't believe in future lives. Because what Buddha is suggesting is that we find our current human life precious.
This Precious Human Life
If we understand that our current human life is precious, we will use this as an opportunity to free ourselves from the suffering we experience. In Mahayana Buddhism, we actually take it further and say we’ll work to liberate ourselves in order to then free others.
How does this look, practically speaking? We transform our experiences, especially those not-so-good ones, into opportunities for growth and transformation. I find this so inspiring and motivational. However, this isn't the case for all people. Remember the anxiety-provoking?
Now for a Truth Bomb
I used to be one of those people who heard that teaching 'life is suffering,' and I would freak out. At one point, I even thought maybe Buddhism focused too much on the negative. For me, 'life is suffering' was anxiety-provoking. I already had enough suffering in my life. I didn’t need anymore or to think about it anymore.
When I first came to Buddhism, it was through the door of yoga. In my twenties, I studied at the Yoga Life Institute, where I learned about Vedic Philosophy and how to meditate, merging the body with the mind, which is what yoga actually means - the definition is to yoke the body and mind. I still enjoy the physical practice of yoga, but when I was there, there was a piece missing. I was still experiencing a lot of depression and pain. There was a lot of unanswered questions still.
Now and Zen
Around the same time I was at Yoga Life Institute, I was introduced to Alan Watts. I read his books, 'The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are' and another great book called 'This Is It,' and each one of those books just totally blew my mind. I felt I was getting closer, but again I still had so many unanswered questions.
It was only natural that because of Alan Watts, I would come to find the Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. His students would call him Thay. He was a beautiful teacher and writer. I was moved to tears reading many of his books, especially 'Reconciliation: Healing the Inner Child.' (Which, by the way, is a book I highly recommend to anyone who experienced childhood trauma).
Thich Nhat Hanh was a Zen Buddhist. I was intrigued by the idea of Zen and followed his teachings for a few years. However, as I was reading about how we incorrectly identify ourselves and our experiences, which is a Buddhist teaching, I wasn't learning the reason why. Eventually, I found my way to Tibetan Buddhism.
Plant the Seed. Water. Watch it Grow!
As I mentioned earlier, in one of the Buddha's first teachings, the Four Noble Truths, he said, "You should know sufferings." Que anxiety, right?
But not quite. What Buddha is saying is that we actually have the power. The control is in our hands, or more accurately, in our minds. When we understand that this life is precious and that we have a unique opportunity to grow and learn, we will not waste the chance.
With this new motivation, our actions change. We begin to pay attention to the words we use and our thoughts. Over time, we start to see all circumstances as opportunities to grow or what's known as transforming obstacles into the spiritual path.
Buddhism and Depression
How did this look for me once I got on board? The first thing I noticed was my mind becoming calmer and my anger diminishing. Losing my temper became less of a thing, and that felt amazing.
Since I was inspired to help others, I started paying attention to my words and state of mind. The side effect was that I was now listening to others without distraction.
Eventually, I could sit with my past negative experiences and learn to forgive certain people in my past. What Buddhism taught me about my depression is that my depression doesn't define me and that I wasn’t inherently broken. Buddhism taught me that my depression was the fuel for my transformation.
Sit With the Truth
When Buddha said you should know suffering, he spoke the truth. In the past, I experienced a decent amount of suffering. Instead of pretending it didn't happen, why not sit with it and know it, really understand it? From this place of understanding, we transform and begin to heal.
What do you think about this type of practice? Is it something you already do? Or does it sound too challenging? Could you use it as a tool to transform your difficulties? I'd love to know, so shoot me an email!
Support the Show!
Thanks for being here. I appreciate you listening. If you’d like to learn more about what was discussed in today’s episode, visit my website, Making Friends With Depression. You’ll find today’s show transcript and resources.
Also, help me spread the word about Making Friends With Depression by sharing this episode with a friend today!
And finally, consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron. You can visit the Making Friends With Depression Patreon page and choose the best tier - they start at as little as $1 a month, plus you’ll get some pretty cool perks!
Until next time friend, and many blessings!
[…] when you cultivate positive minds, you see many challenging situations as growth opportunities. In Buddhism, we call this transforming obstacles into the path. It simply means that you see experiences like a […]