Replies to 'Depression'

Please pass this on to Lillian as well.   

Meditation has been a part of man kinds spiritual and cultural practices for ages, regardless of religion or region. I do not consider myself to be an expert on this subject but I have been practicing this for 30 years. I started as a teenager from reading martial arts magazines, and from some of my religious teachings. I was a teacher in the churches before I went into the ministry.   

The basics of meditation are breathing and clearing one's mind. The purpose is to induce healing power to one's body, soul and spirit. The benefits can be remarkable if practiced in sincerity. This is one of the major sources of my ongoing struggle against depression. What we have learned, or taught ourselves about fear and anxieties can be undone, relearned thru meditation.   

It is taught by the medical community as well as the cultural and spiritual communities.   

I have various forms of meditation. At first I had to have total quietness, no noise what so ever. No distractions. That is the best way to begin.   

In Tai Chi, for instance, the meditation is done in a similar fashion, but also they teach movements, which are called forms in martial arts, that are fluid, slow and you are taught to breathe with each movement. Once these movements become familiar and you can do them without thinking about it, and you have achieved the practice of breathing in the same manner, you are in a state of meditation.   

For starters I would find a quiet area that you are comfortable in, whether the outdoors, or your favorite room in your home. Remember it will take some practice, but will come naturally soon enough. I will give you a couple of forms to use and choose which is best for you.  

One, from the martial arts community is to sit, on the floor or ground with your legs crossed and close to your body, your hands will rest on your legs with palms facing up. Be sure to keep your posture straight as possible. Imagine a string attached to the top of your head pulling upward, and your shoulders back.   

I recommend breathing in thru your nose, and out thru your mouth, this works best for me and is the most popular method. Don't set a timer, just breathe in and out, with your eyes closed and try to clear your mind of ALL thoughts. This is possible, believe me. You actually go into a state that is almost and similar to the light stages of sleep. I recommend about 15 minutes for starters, and progress up to about 30 minutes. Daily is good, but two or three times a week is beneficial.   

Long term, this will relive stress and lower blood pressure, and gives one a sense of control and tranquility.   

Another method involves the same procedures, except placing your hand, or hands on something that had very strong or spiritual meanings to you. For some this would be a Bible. But the object would need to be in a position or location that allows you to remove any tenseness from your muscles, so you will not be distracted by having your arm tire.  

In the medical teachings they advise that you tighten your muscles after breathing in, holding your breathe for about 3 to 5 seconds, and then relaxing. This can prove beneficial if you are feeling really tense in your muscles. This would be similar to the Tai Chi movements, or “forms”, as this increases blood flow throughout your body. I will try to locate some web sites with free downloadable videos of some of the basics.  

You can stand to meditate as well, though this sounds contradictory to teachings. But when I do this I have the tendency to move. You can stand with your feet about shoulder width apart. Follow the other previous instructions. But when you breathe in, ball your fists, then extend your arms straight in front of you as you exhale, slowly, and twisting your wrists as if you are punching something until your arms are fully extended, and top of your hands are facing up. When you inhale, slowly bring your fists to your chest with palm side facing your, still with the balled fist, and touching your chest.   

Then let go of the fists and allow your arms to slowly swing downward all in one motion as you exhale. Then repeat the process.  

You can be creative and go thru various body movements that feel good to you.   

I think you will find the form that best works for you, and find that it will be most beneficial.  

Just to give you an idea of the power of meditation, and THE SPIRIT, which some people make jokes about, it’s called chi, or from Star Wars, The Force. It all has true meaning, maybe not to the degree of The Force, but similar in results. When I was in high school and studying the martial arts on my own, I happened upon a friend who was an exchange student from Japan. I mentioned him in an earlier post. In Japan, they learn Karate, which means Hand. Tai Chi means push. But I shocked my friend from Japan by breaking non conventional objects such as 2x4’s, bricks, etc. Since I had never had any formal training.  

He trained me for a while in Karate. Later, I was in enrolled in Tae Kwon Do, which refers to kicking and punching, and as a white belt, I challenged my instructor, who was not the head instructor, to a board breaking challenge. He was a brown belt, and I defeated him by breaking five boards with my fist. This is just an example of the power of chi and meditation. You can not only channel energy to one part of your body, as I learned to do, but to your mind, and to your whole body which allows your heart, and other vital organs to function more properly, and thus prolongs life and in a sense, one heals oneself.  

I have rambled enough. Keep it simple, clear your mind, and breathe. It’s a fascinating experience.  

GOD bless.