| Depression is a disease of the mind. Zen, which is | | | | To desire or crave permanence from something |
| about mental state, may offer a new perspective of | | | | impermanent is a disease of the mind. This is the real |
| the disease. | | | | cause of depression. |
| Millions of people are suffering from depression. It is | | | | Once the pain is created, an individual (or the |
| one of the most common mental disorders that may | | | | psychiatrist) begins to seek analysis and explanation |
| adversely affect mental health. There are several | | | | of the pain, hoping to find a solution to the problem. |
| current theories about the causes of depression: | | | | According to Zen, life is never a problem to be |
| hereditary predisposition, chemical imbalances, or | | | | solved. Life never has a problem, and if there is a |
| hormonal changes. A more widely accepted theory of | | | | problem, that is because you have created it for |
| the cause of depression is � distorted | | | | yourself. Once you have created a problem, you |
| thinking. Depression is deep internal pain initiated by | | | | need a solution to the problem. In attempting to |
| disturbed thinking, which may or may not be due to | | | | solve the problem, you begin to analyze the problem |
| chemical imbalance of the mind. Zen offers an | | | | and examine the options available to solve the |
| interesting explanation of this disease of the mind. | | | | problem, thus generating stress, which only intensifies |
| Zen is NOT a religious belief. Despite having its origin | | | | the problem. Compounding problems triggers |
| from Buddha, Zen is not the foundation of Buddhism. | | | | depression in an individual. |
| Zen is an enlightened mental state focusing on the | | | | It is human instinct to avoid pain. By avoiding pain, |
| present moment. | | | | you subconsciously create more problems requiring |
| First of all, according to Zen, there is no such a | | | | more solutions. Unlike modern psychiatry, the way of |
| disease as "depression." Zen does not label an | | | | Zen is not to question, analyze, or dwell upon pain. If |
| individual as "sick" or "mentally ill." According to Zen, | | | | you do, you are in fact creating the setting for |
| sickness is just a human condition, and any "labeling" | | | | suffering. According to Zen, you must accept the |
| only compounds the problem of sickness. | | | | good as well as the bad in life; in other words, pain is |
| Many individuals suffering from depression have a | | | | natural. Just learn how to receive it. Pain is not |
| distorted perception of self-worth. Instead of | | | | avoidable in life, but suffering is. If you dwell upon |
| accepting who they are, they want to be what they | | | | pain, you perpetuate the suffering. |
| wish they would like to become. Their hunger for the | | | | Stephen Lau is a researcher, writing synopses of |
| verisimilitude of realty often fosters delusions and a | | | | medical research. His publications include "NO |
| host of other mental problems, such as confusion and | | | | MIRACLE CURES - Only Wholesome Self-Healing," a |
| distress. Zen focuses on who you are, rather than | | | | book on healing and wellness. |
| your "desire" to be somebody else. Zen purges the | | | | He has created several websites, including |
| mind of any low self esteem. | | | | �Longevity For You� and |
| Longing for something you cannot have creates pain. | | | | �Healthy Lifestyle Is The Way Of |
| In life, pain occurs when expectations are not met. In | | | | Zen� on health, and �Golfing |
| Zen, every moment remains with that moment. For | | | | Success Info� on playing golf. |
| this reason, everything is changing, and impermanent. | | | | |