Depression

 

The most debilitating and even dangerous thought is “Oh, what’s the use?” When we go through a lot and try and mend things … but that doesn’t happen, that final resignation is the worst. We can sink with this one thought.

The resulting depression can be the beginning of a gradual decline in health, first emotional and then, invariably physical.

“There is always a way out “is the way to go. If not this, something else good is round the corner! “Seek and we shall find” is a very prophetic and profound statement. Losing heart is not and should not be an option at all.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Art of living

 

The only way that these days, one can retain relationships is being perfect in the presence of people and NO weakness must show. Want to cry? Go to the restroom, sob to your heart’s content and paste the perfect smile on that face before venturing back into the crowds. In short, bottle up! And then we wonder why there are increasing cases or depression, even cancer!!!

Ultimately, it is all about contacts and group activities. If you are desperate to belong, well, you have to pay the price.

Especially if someone treats you badly, giving it back “sweetly” denotes the art of living well. After all, suffering is self-inflicted, isn’t it? Who asked anyone to so sensitive to callousness and insults? A rhino Hyde required, please!!! Or otherwise, sit in loneliness. For you will be shunned!

The art of living in this world is perceived this way. If Sri is trying to teach you another form of this art, then will it penetrate a trained thick Hyde steeped in the material World?

With so much pettiness, self-seeking and value less existence, a large part of the world may still be insensitive to abuse and knows how to return negativity with cloaked negativity. The question is, which form of the Art of living do we subscribe to? Because both seem to “work” for different purposes.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Parameters

 

Being emotional by nature is a very stressful trait. Not only is sensitivity an integral part of this state , so is depression. In a world filled with a standard “no problem” answer to every huge bottled up issue, depression is a normal condition.

What is significant is, we may confuse the symptoms of spiritual growth and depression at times, specially when we pretend to be happy when we are actually depressed, often clinically depressed.

It is a fact that when you work on spiritual Growth, there comes a time when you leave behind many earlier “normals” in your life, reaching a point of isolation. You also stop fitting into earlier moulds. But you don’t really think that you are “sacrificing” normalcy. Because you don’t miss the earlier routine which included a certain amount of social interaction. In fact, you might be happier this way.

A depressed state also tends to give a feeling of isolation and a withdrawal from social activities and interaction, and a general lack of interest and excitement... a general ennui.

The only parameters of telling the difference are within. If you are happy and busy with your personal growth by being by yourself and WITH yourself happily, then you are on the path of spiritual growth, because you naturally move into a state of gradual silence, not liking too much mundane conversation and preferring to use time more constructively.

But when you are depressed, either you are numb or wrapped up in your own feelings and hence, uncommunicative. And you need help because you will probably not admit to being depressed and might be showing a false bravado which could be harmful for you.

You never know when depression might be triggered if you are not careful to keep your emotions in check and give yourself more care and attention before others.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Depression

 

Everyone has ups and downs in life. Those people who are respected are the ones who hold their head up high with dignity and undaunting faith in themselves as sparks of the Divine. Depression, helplessness and dejection are futile, for they achieve nothing but damage to the individual. There is always light at the end of the tunnel if we can focus straight ahead and move on.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Quote of the day

 

Level of awareness

When you do the right thing by others, at whatever cost to yourself and your desires, there is an immediate raise in vibrations. You feel that your higher self has revealed itself. The joy is apparent. So, don’t do anything that directly or indirectly, has detrimental repercussions on anyone. As a rule, this contaminates your energies. Don’t ever doubt this or defy this view, because there is enough evidence to prove this.

Contamination of energies attracts more contamination. The Universe sends you more of what you have because it only vibrates with what you ARE. It cannot discriminate, like humans can.

You are already with people and in places that you need to be with and in. No use fighting this. It is karmic. It is meant to be. AND, if you leave your prejudices aside, it is meant for your good. To learn to heal all the dark aspects that people in your life are there to show you. You may not have a memory of your karma but the people around you ably compensate for this. If only you venture in that direction, which is not often.

And also, if you stop hating and blaming, the truth is, you are always amidst your soul groups which are “coercing, “irritating” you into Understanding the reality, which you must be aware enough to understand.

Life acquires a different meaning once you reach that level of awareness.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Stage of depression

It is very easy to slip into an inertia mode if things don't work out as you want in life, specially over a long period of time. When disappointments keep happening and hope ebbs away slowly and steadily. And " what's the point" becomes your theme song. And then, if you are able to pull yourself up and out of THIS frame of mind, you are truly admirable in spirit.

This is not to sit in judgement over those who find it difficult to overcome this situation. It takes a Herculean effort .

I feel that just as we look upon "annadaan"or feeding the needy as a divine service, bringing people out of their depressions is a major service. Suicides are a result of such hopeless depressions. Life is a gift but unfortunately, does not register as one to those afflicted with deep hopelessness.

If every member of a family understands the importance of this, and that if sharing and caring, this stage of depression can be averted. God's work, for sure. And this also applies to caring for orphans and those who have strayed out of anger and frustration with life.   

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: 

www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Source of fear

On a scale of 0 to 10, how much are you driven by fear of losing the people you love? We all need to really think about this because much of our life IS ruled by this fear.

The thought of being rejected or shunned torments and transforms into depression in many cases. And then, you can ask for references of names of psychologists/ psychiatrists / healers to tackle your depression.

First of all, fear itself is avoidable. What can be the value of fear between two people who are close? Only desperation to remain close can trigger fear. The insecurity can trigger fear.

To make people indispensable in your life can be a source of fear. They can rule your heart by all means. Love does not need reciprocity. You love because you love. It is your choice and no one can take it away. But if people you love choose to leave or create a distance, you should still be able to love them and pray for their happiness. Love is not a trade off although this is the way it works in this world.

You scratch my back and I scratch yours, and let us both bleed to death in the name of love, curtain close applause. Now, let us go home. This is the world we live in.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Life Experience

Often, one reaches a stage when all experiences run through you like a film. It is an overwhelming experience, to say the least. You have loved and lost. You have cried and laughed. You have compromised and beaten yourself up. You have been just and unjust. You have been cowardly and brave , calm and angry. You have needed and given to the needy. You have prayed and complained. Sometimes, you have lost and then found.

What is this movie that we are living and which runs our lives ? Is it a dream or reality ? Is everything really happening or will we wake up and find everything has disappeared and all our crying and laughing , depressions and cudgels with life were naught ! Just a bubble that could burst anytime. Like the illusion of standing on a pile of sand which could slide down and topple you any minute.

What then is so very important that we can become so twisted sometimes and so wanting ? Still looking for so many answers . I don't know how many lifetimes it will take for us to find our souls.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Quote of the day

Child depression

Child depression has become a huge issue in the world of today. There were unwanted children, neglected children even earlier in time. However, the sole reason for stress in as young as school children today is the paucity of love, lack of opportunity, devaluation of merit and a desperate run towards. Just to name a few. There is much depression in children, visible and subtle, and it runs deep.

The new and upcoming affluence can demonstrate cluelessness. Some may be struggling to keep abreast of the rapid changes and not being too successful in giving a comprehensive education.

The thumb rule is, we give what we have. Rich parents give material things for the asking. They have money to burn. And thus, their kids burn their lives in it. The educated class ensures the education of their kids. The middle class has motivation and ambition to give their children because they have to and need to teach their kids to become earning citizens. There is not much to fall back on. Lower income groups struggle to give to their children period.

There is so much available out there that much of the depression comes from complete deprivation, the inability to procure what others seem to have. The pressure just to BE is unbelievable.

Somehow, in life, these are the things that matter. You tend to see only that. You seldom focus on those who give or want to give you happiness because they have it and know the value. Ironically, everyone wants it but no one wants to learn about how it can become a part of you. The more they run, the more elusive it becomes.

And when you don't look for the right ingredients, automatically, you fail to draw the attention of your children to the meaningful achievements. And children learn by example.

Unfortunately, parents very often live through their children. This is yet another big source of depression in children today. Fulfilling the ambition of their parents. Being pushed where they don't want to be. Bearing burdens they are too young to shoulder. Growing up before they have enjoyed childhood. Also, misusing childhood because they either have not been taught better or are swayed by the blinding light of parties and temptations, failing to see the darkness behind that blinding light...and everything blind needs eyes of wisdom.

We have much work to dispel that darkness within innocent minds and give them love, hope and a direction , not missing out the most important one: the spiritual one : the way back to their real source.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Quote of the day

Positivity

I read this very significant, in fact, revealing line the other day. "Don't be Buddhist. Be a Buddha." I said something similar in one of my Mumbai workshops and was accused of blasphemy. All I said was that Christ is Christ because of his qualities and each one of us can become a Christ. It is my conviction.

I wonder what happens to us when this thought is presented before us. Evidently, we think somewhere deep within us that we are capable of being followers but cannot go beyond.

Each one has a philosophy compatible for their personal journey. No harm! All roads will eventually converge into one Divine Energy, whatever be the name given to it by different religions. But where does our journey of evolution say that we cannot achieve more than merely following a group who look up to one leader? In fact, any genuine spiritual leader will also encourage only this thought, that we can all elevate our consciousness to the level of a Buddha, Krishna or Christ.

I was blessed to have a guru who said, once you reach my level, your journey is beyond me. And I have always felt that if we remain followers, it is because we never really understood nor worked enough. And, conveniently, were content to be in that space.

Before Deepavali, we clean up each corner of our homes to prepare for festivities. We allow ourselves a few days for this activity. And then we resume our daily jobs.

Imagine doing spring cleaning and removing cob webs every day from our minds!!! That constant vigilance and awareness of every little thought, every word...? Possible? Of course! But would we? We would go to the ends of the earth to earn name and fame in worldly activities. But not many see name and fame and hence, the need for this very taxing daily practice without any visible or even desired end in sight.

Returning to Buddha, we all know his story and how he achieved enlightenment. Ironically, we know he was a human being like us who, with his concentrated and single minded efforts reached his goal. I find it difficult to understand why we feel we won't ever reach there. Even logically, this does not make sense to me, though I know this is not a subject of logic.

Where do we begin? Simply with simple meditation to reduce the useless thoughts (cobwebs) with constant practice. Pranayama and yoga to regulate breathe and focus of mind. Reduce ego and attachment. Hate the negativity in people, NOT the people who practice it because they are at that level of vibration at that point in time. (Attitude determines altitude). Exercise your choice. CHOOSE POSITIVITY. CHOOSE THE GOOD. CHOOSE SPIRITUALITY. This is the only permanent option actually. The rest is transient, misleading and therefore, damaging to the progression of the soul.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Life Span

Too much of anything is avoidable. The mind looks for a change when it cannot handle excesses. And why not? A heavy, saturated mind can cause many problems. Like everything in life, the mind needs some space and some rest.

Can you imagine if thoughts never ceased at all? For one, we could not sleep at all. For another, no thought would be complete. Without rest and sleep, we would surely reduce our life span or go crazy even.

As they say, “all work and no play....." and this applies to all of us.

So, if you want to have a happy life, take breaks from everything frequently, even if short ones. Laugh every day. Change unhappy anything to happy. Before a maximum saturation sets in, shift gears ....and be a little wise, a little crazy, a little adventurous, a little determined, a little balanced but always happy.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Quote of the day

Quote of the day

Quote of the Day

Aspirations

As a therapist, I see many mood swings in people. I see this emotional see saw in many people. I have seen it at close quarters, among close acquaintances and family, too, sometimes. And earlier in life, in myself as well. 

There are many, many, many factors at work. The upbringing , memories from other lives, complexes in this life, aspirations and struggles to achieve dreams, relationships and their aftermath...and much , much more. 

But more important is the one reason for the yoyo syndrome: a paucity of self belief and consequently, of the higher power within. It is almost like, there is electricity and there are bulbs to light up but we don't know that a switch is required to illuminate the surroundings. That knowledge and the reason for the darkness are the keys to stabilize ourselves.

As Jagadguru says, we and only we are responsible for our miseries, our joy and our mental, emotional and intellectual status.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Quote of the Day

Consequences

We don't really realize what happens when we violate a universal law. The repercussions have long and far reaching effects. There is a snowball effect for everything. And once the consequences begin to spiral outwards, they complete their circle of movement. And to experience the consequences is inevitable.

Humans are naive enough to believe that if they disobey the universal laws surreptitiously, deviously and silently, they can get away with it. Think again! Like the proverbial fly on the wall, the Universe watches. Every second! But we do many things in ignorance and out of the preview of the parameters of wisdom...this has to change first.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari