General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I no longer use antidepressants. [View all]Utopian Leftist
(534 posts)You are not alone in this line of thinking. I heard the metaphysical guru Osho talk about this and it is an ancient idea in the east: that to overcome negative emotions, one must not fight them but rather surrender, experience them fully and then release; they will begin to leave.
When we shine light, darkness cannot but flee. Of course, it doesn't seem this way when one is clinically or chronically depressed. I know that because I have taken antidepressants on and off (mostly only when I had insurance) for my entire adult life, and I probably should have been on them as a child.
I agree with you in not suggesting anyone ditch their meds. I am still taking mine but I do believe that my own change in attitude a few years ago has paid immense rewards in the development of new friends, new opportunities to love and new self-esteem. I can see now that I was always valiantly fighting against my depression, banging my head against its stubborn walls. And that such was the worst thing I could do. Instead, I have learned to live with depression rather than fight it. And in living with it, I have made much unexpected progress towards overcoming it.
May peace and love guide you and help you in creating real, lasting prosperity, emotionally and otherwise. Oh, and never let anyone tell you that being serious or having a sober outlook is wrong: after all, to twist the words of Socrates, what good is an examined life if one doesn't seriously deal with whatever that examination has revealed?
Namaste'.