“Advaita Vedanta on Clinical Depression: From sinking down to spiritually elated”
Clifford Whittingham Beers was institutionalized for 3 years as he suffered from manic depression. His childhood had been traumatizing due to which he grew up with bouts of anxiety and distress. A time came when he could not cope up and threw himself outside his bedroom window. While in the hospital recovering from these injuries, he experienced hallucinations and paranoia. When his depression lapsed, he pioneered the first ever Mental Hygiene Movement. It occurred with an overlap with Freud’s Psychodynamic approach to uncover unconscious mind’s repressed elements which play a grave role in mental illness.
These movements were cornerstones of going inwards and understanding the layered existence of an individual laying foundation for understanding mental health. Carl Jung was highly influenced by Eastern Philosophy and he merged western and eastern take on mind, yet it was not modern enough. Unfortunately with time, medical model rose, suppressing the concept of ‘Understanding Self within Self.’
The Medical Model of Clinical Depression
The etymology of Depression comes from dēpressiō which means ‘sinking down’.
Very much what it feels like indeed. A sinking ship in a sea of no hope.
Clinical depression or Major Depressive Disorder is a mental illness where
“The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.(DSM)
Causal factors of depression range from genetics, trauma, environmental factors, substance abuse, abuse, or any existing mental and physical ailment.
The western medical model uses these criterion for diagnosis and interventions using therapies which work on rectifying thought pattern and coping strategies along with pharmacotherapy (medication).
Amidst this what is highly missed and newly incorporated in the name of ‘Mindfulness Therapy’ is the very process of how to mentally cleanse and guard the ‘self’ by turning inwards. A person slips into depression because the mind clogs and shuts, unable to cope with self and the world around. There are many therapies which work wonderfully and help plenty to get well, but there are always chances of relapses.
And this very existence of the possibility of ‘sinking again’ is where the role of Spirituality comes.
Advaita Vedanta on Depression
Eastern philosophy has always focused on ‘Advaita Gyaan’, the Concept of Non-Duality; a state of evolving within this world with constant detachment and bliss. And pain is crucial for such awakening. The energy body is far supreme compared to physical self, and alterations within those layers of energy bodies is where we slip or rise further.
Our brain is tangible, our mind is not. Similarly, our physical body is visible, but the energy field around us known as Bioplasmic Body is not. (commonly known as Aura). This Bioplasmic body is regulated by the energy points within our body, known as Chakras.
The energy body exists in layers or sheaths (Koshas) , sustaining your entire existence: Body, mind and soul. The chakras are responsible for regulating energy within the body internally and externally. If these chakras are blocked by polluted energy from food and the environment, the body and mind becomes susceptible to illness.
Correlating the symptoms of Clinical Depression with Bioplasmic body
Annamaya Kosha — The food sheath : Determines immune system, supplies energy and is responsible for healthy mind and body.
The food that enters your body has its own energy as well. Non- vegetarians absorb the energies of the dead animals, whereas vegetarians absorb the energy of how the plant has been cultivated.
· The person who cooks also pours his/her energy into that food.
· Overcooked meals, fermented products and non vegetarian items are Tamsic (generate lethargic and dark energy) as they block the flow of prana (energy) within the body due to chakra blockages resulting in indigestion, fatigue, and pessimism.
· Small proportion of meals at right time inclusive of nutrients are key to the health of both body and further the mind.
Pranamaya Kosha — The vital energy or breath sheath which assimilates and regulates strength.
· The breath that flows within your body is the ultimate form of energy that links body and mind. Pranayama and Yoga are key ways to ensure that breath is evenly distributed and energy from Food sheath is utilized to replenish body and mind.
· Blockage in chakras due to claustrophobic and dark environmental spaces along with zero physical activity results in a depleted bioplasmic body which is essential for a healthy and regulated immune system and dopamine flow.
· Pranayam isn’t only breathing, but breathing with intention. Your intention to heal flows in the form of breath across the body.
Manomaya Kosha — The mind sheath- Thoughts and Emotions/ Ego
· Just like the body, what you put into your mind is what comes out as the perception.
· There are times when the conscious experiences are buried deep within, and from there they act in the form of fear, anxiety or melancholy.
· Cases of trauma, abuse or deep sadness need to be released in a systematic way where the void created aftermath is filled with acceptance and strength.
· If a person’s ego is weak, that is, it is unable to rationalize between what is wrong and right for self, is when the person starts slipping into an utter state of helplessness.
· Guidance is key for Manomaya Kosh, which can be in the form of Guru, books or a therapist.
Vijnanamaya Kosha — The Intellect sheath/Wisdom/Realization
· The intellect sheath holds the wisdom one carries which helps in decision making. This works along with Manomaya Kosha, providing a structure in the form of principles and philosophies.
· If a person exposes ‘self’ to pessimistic and limiting literature and practices which do not contribute into evolvement of mind, a loop of despair is created which acts like fuel to burning moments in life which need grounding decisions with acceptance.
· The lack of acceptance by the ego is where the cognition halts and further collapses in the process of overthinking.
· Now in the case of traumas and abuse, the shock on body or mind gets frozen. This needs to be melted and released from the system. Advaita Vedanta speaks about detachment from the desires through karmic settlement. We pay back for the loss we create in the lives of other souls in any life.
· ‘The Laws of the Spirit World’ by Khorshed Bhavnagiri, ‘Many Lives Many Masters’ by Dr. Brian Weiss and ‘Journey of Souls’ by Dr. Newton have stated that many souls who want to evolve, choose hardships in order to stay on the path of detachment, and casts themselves into pain so that pleasure cannot loop them into any karmic relationship.
· Acceptance of this journey of soul leads to acceptance that this life is temporary and so are the experiences of self within this body.
Ananadamaya Kosha — The bliss sheath/ Spiritual Awakening
· Once the mind and body are in sync, the bliss sheath reverberates the balanced aura. If the 4 sheaths below are depleted, the bliss sheath will deplete as well. The Sahasrara (crown) chakra and Ajna (Forehead) chakra are responsible for connecting an individual to the ultimate and highest force of energy beyond this body.
· Disconnect from this results into disturbed sleep, thoughts, emotions and even disconnect from self which can result in suicidal behavior.
· The unconscious mind is governed by this energy sheath, acting like a circuit breaker when the mind is overwhelmed by negativity around. The liberation of these stuck up energies sourced from the environment through direct or indirect contact is what is required to be accepted and removed for a clear state of bliss.
In the end, it is what enters the Auric body through the mind or body is what governs the perception, emotions, and your behavior within this world.There are times where one may not be able to understand why certain things happen, but one must be open to acceptance of reality. Any form of therapy creates this very avenue of acceptance. Yoga and meditation are doors to cleanse, replenish and regulate this energy system.
This constant sinking feeling can turn into your spiritual awakening for there is no evolution without dismantling of pre-existing structures. Sadness, grief, and numbness help us realize how our desires are temporary and the real state of bliss is in the detachment and nothingness.
Researched and written by Kritika Pathak Mishra.
Kritika is a professional psychologist and counsellor , and clinical hypnotherapist , you can reach out to her on
https://twitter.com/kaatibkosh , and
https://www.instagram.com/anandaymay
More work on ancient sciences is underway
Picture Credits and References:
https://pranickolkata.com/how-pranic-healing-works/
https://images.app.goo.gl/zHgcowawi8VB8sNd7
https://elixirultineretii.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/13-brain-foods-boost-your-brain-and-memory/
https://images.app.goo.gl/NG9D8izGQPjDx431A
http://explorevedanta.com/vbc-the-5-sheaths
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/464081936604410093/
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/579134833321580211
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/532621093433469569
