Meditation and depression (and stress)

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Last night, I watched a fantastic interview with a French man, a long-

time buddhist monk and meditation practicioner who is a translator

with the Dalai Lama, etc.

This monk was explaining that the heart of Buddhism is compassion. In

the brain, the front part of the left (I think; I sometimes get them

mixed up, but you get the idea) frontal lobe is the centre of

compassion in that when doing meditation directed towards compassion

(I would tend to think all meditations), that part of the brain is

activated. It so happens that this is the same part of the brain that

corresponds to feeling well, happiness. Therefore went on to say the

monk, meditation is the perfect antidote to depression.(This has also

been my experience when I meditating regularly = well-being :- )

(Depression, etc., activates and is in the front part of the right (I

think) frontal lobe.)

There are many types of meditation: yoga; buddhist; christian;

mindfulness-based stress reduction program; tai chi; autogenic

training and other relaxation exercises; etc.

Of ocurse, the front line of defense is the diet and supplements, but

this would surely help and is pertinent, I thought, in view of the

postings mentionning depression, and stress. It sure motivates me to

do this on a more regular basis (with my good old autogenic

training... :- )

Fran

[Guest guest]

Hi Fran, I can say from personal experience that meditation is a

valuable tool to have in ones arsenal.

I took this stress class after being told by a variety of doctors that

I was mentally ill and suffering from anxiety. I refused to accept that

diagnosis and the horrible drugs they tried to push on me. The class

teaches meditation, yoga and body scanning. It took some dedication and

persistence but I was able to control some late night anxiety attacks

using what I learned thru the class. This stuff also allowed me to

eventually figure out my mental illness was really bad reactions to

certain foods.

http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/srp/index.aspx

I also took a Qi Gong class. Qi Gong is kind of the mother of Tai Chi

and is based on the concept of energy meridians used in acupuncture.

Its like we have an energy circulatory system. Its a moving meditation.

I find it relaxing and energizing. It has also helped lessen some lower

back pain and has made me a lot more flexible.

Andy

[Guest guest]

>

>This stuff also allowed me to

> eventually figure out my mental illness was really bad reactions

to

> certain foods.

>

> http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/srp/index.aspx

>

> Qi Gong is kind of the mother of Tai Chi

>

> Its a moving meditation.

Hi Andy,

Thanks for this link! And I thought I had been to all the stress

websites out there, LOL! I've been to a bunch. One that I found

was especially interesting was www.teachhealth.com which talks about

how 1 in 10 people is in overstress because we have not evolved

rapidly enough to keep up with our rapidly changing world! I

thought that was pretty interesting, as I often find myself craving

a simpler way of life, but feel there's not much I can do about it.

I have reduced my extracurricular commitments quite a bit, but life

still feels very hectic.

Also, good point about your mood being connected to certain foods.

I believe Bee's diet will improve mood. I remember reading in

another post, something about the brain being 70% fat, or something

like that. If we don't get enough fat, no wonder our minds suffer!

Qi Gong sounds pretty interesting. I try to meditate and have even

worked with my massage therapist in guided meditation some and I

still find it VERY difficult. I have so much trouble getting my

mind still. Maybe a " moving meditation " would really help

Thanks.

in Tennessee

[Guest guest]

>

>

> One that I found

> was especially interesting was www.teachhealth.com

Hi all,

Here's a better link that goes directly to the info I was talking

about:

http://www.teachhealth.com/dealwith.html#epilogue

The whole website is pretty neat, but a lot of it talks about why

you shouldn't use any chemical aids (caffeine, alcohol, etc), but

that aspect is part of this program anyway. The 'epilogue' is the

part that talks about how it used to be that people would live in

the same way for many generations. Now it's changing so fast that

we can hardly keep up. I mean, my little boy was saying words

like " DVD " and " laptop " almost as soon as he could talk. Life is

changing so quickly from one generation to the next. Some people

just can't handle that much change. I think I'm one of them

But on the other hand, if it weren't for computers and the internet,

I would not have access to this wealth of information I found here.

in Tennessee

[Guest guest]

Hi Andy,

I am impressed and I admire that you stuck to your guns in the face

of such medical pressure. It sure seems that it paid off.

I took the exact same (8-week) stress course (the Mindfulness-Based

Stress Reduction Program) about 3 years ago. I loved the format; the

yoga and meditations were easy enough, and it was a life saver at a

time when I was having a rough time. Are you still doing the program

on your own (either the meditations and yoga exercises, or the whole

thing)?

I forgot to mention Qi Gong in my list of meditations/relaxation

exercises. I agree with you that it is really good; also a known

healing tool (cancer, etc., etc.). I took Tai Chi for several years

and the teacher led us in Qi Gong exercises for 30 minutes before the

1-hour Tai Chi class. It was great.

There were times in the more distant past that Tai Chi was almost the

only meditation I could do with success and without being frustrated

because my brain was so " active " all the time (constant

brain " talking " ). This moving meditation worked really well and was

so gracious, like a slow motion dance. Presently, I find that

Autogenic Training works well.

Because of hip, back and leg pain, it was recommended by a

kinesiologist not to do Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Pilates and the likes

temporarily until I get back up to speed. But I can still do very

easy yoga, stationary bicycle, and similar exercises; and I can

dance! So it's great.

Fran

[Guest guest]

hi

i agree, yoga, meditation are so valuable for calming and bringing control

back. but it doesnt last and it doesnt prevent feelings of anxioty, depression,

surely prevention is better that temporary relief.

lv joe

luretire09 <deerslayer54@...> wrote:

Hi Fran, I can say from personal experience that meditation is a

valuable tool to have in ones arsenal.

I took this stress class after being told by a variety of doctors that

I was mentally ill and suffering from anxiety. I refused to accept that

diagnosis and the horrible drugs they tried to push on me. The class

teaches meditation, yoga and body scanning. It took some dedication and

persistence but I was able to control some late night anxiety attacks

using what I learned thru the class. This stuff also allowed me to

eventually figure out my mental illness was really bad reactions to

certain foods.

http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/srp/index.aspx

I also took a Qi Gong class. Qi Gong is kind of the mother of Tai Chi

and is based on the concept of energy meridians used in acupuncture.

Its like we have an energy circulatory system. Its a moving meditation.

I find it relaxing and energizing. It has also helped lessen some lower

back pain and has made me a lot more flexible.

Andy

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[Guest guest]

Hi Fran, I have stuck with the practice and meditate often. Do yoga

occasionally. My wife and I also attend the all day class once a year

and always find that day to be very powerful experience.

I struggled with meditation for many years. My main problem was I was

trying to quiet down my mind and got frustrared when I could not do

that. The mind is not meant to be quiet. The stress class taught me

to not get hung up on the quiet mind thing. Just observe the thoughts

as they arise without latching on to them. Treat the thoughts like

passing clouds or leaves floating down a stream. I also found that

answers would often pop up within those passing thoughts.

The class also taught me that meditation is just a workout for the

mind. It allows us to take control of situations before they spiral

out of hand. Meditation trains the mind like pushups or jogging or

weight lifting train the body. Once I understood this it became easy.

Andy

>

> Hi Andy,

>

> I am impressed and I admire that you stuck to your guns in the face

> of such medical pressure. It sure seems that it paid off.

>

> I took the exact same (8-week) stress course (the Mindfulness-Based

> Stress Reduction Program) about 3 years ago. I loved the format;

the

> yoga and meditations were easy enough, and it was a life saver at a

> time when I was having a rough time. Are you still doing the

program

> on your own (either the meditations and yoga exercises, or the

whole

> thing)?

>

> I forgot to mention Qi Gong in my list of meditations/relaxation

> exercises. I agree with you that it is really good; also a known

> healing tool (cancer, etc., etc.). I took Tai Chi for several years

> and the teacher led us in Qi Gong exercises for 30 minutes before

the

> 1-hour Tai Chi class. It was great.

>

> There were times in the more distant past that Tai Chi was almost

the

> only meditation I could do with success and without being

frustrated

> because my brain was so " active " all the time (constant

> brain " talking " ). This moving meditation worked really well and was

> so gracious, like a slow motion dance. Presently, I find that

> Autogenic Training works well.

>

> Because of hip, back and leg pain, it was recommended by a

> kinesiologist not to do Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Pilates and the likes

> temporarily until I get back up to speed. But I can still do very

> easy yoga, stationary bicycle, and similar exercises; and I can

> dance! So it's great.

>

> Fran

>

[Guest guest]

I am meditating for more that 10 years

( TM techniques) and I realize that it help not only

for stress but to remove a lot of toxins from body.

For example, when I drank alcogol I felt really bad

but after TM I felt clear and sober again.

I think if I would not meditate on regular basis I

would have worse problems including candida.

I do yoga sometimes during the week to stretch and

relax after many hours with computer. It help to tone

body and mind and increase circulation.

Liz

[Guest guest]

Hi Andy,

It's great that you are still doing the stress reduction program. I

well remember the all day class (that is the silent one). It was a very

powerful experience for me as well. For a long while, I used the

recording to do the body scan meditation, which was the most efficient

for me. As I am receiving energy work (energy medicine) since December,

the practicionner asked me not to do that type of meditation, at least

for a while, hence my switching back to autogenic training (no

recording).

You wrote: " (...) The class also taught me that meditation is just a

workout for the mind. It allows us to take control of situations before

they spiral out of hand. Meditation trains the mind like pushups or

jogging or weight lifting train the body. Once I understood this it

became easy. "

This is such a good explanation on the workings of the mind, not

getting frustrated by the (constant) thoughts but being an observer,

etc.; couldn't agree more.

Fran

[Guest guest]

Hi Joe,

I totally agree with you re: prevention is better than relief...

always. If possible, removing external stressors/causes of depression

is a good idea (situations, food, lifestyle, schedule, etc.), if this

is what the problem is. A holistic, globally healthy lifestyle holistic

is best, I believe, rather than adjusting one area only.

However, all of us are here because we already have candida or other

health issues. So we are into regaining our health and finding the best

tools for that, like Bee's diet. True that it is not very productive to

meditate daily on one hand and to undo that by putting all kinds of

foods into our body on the other hand.

I am curious as to why you think that meditation doesn't last and

doesn't prevent feelings of anxiety, depression...?

This is the first time I hear something like that. Feedback I heard has

always been positive, or at least neutral.

Like physical exercise, gardening, like anything else, lasting results

will show themselves over time with (more) regular meditation; it takes

time, like Bee's diet and all natural approaches.

When done regularly, meditation boosts the immune system and the area

of the brain promoting upper moods and well-being. The physiological

benefits of meditation/relaxation have been mesured scientifically.

Also, it was found that the mindfullness-based stress reduction program

(and all meditations in my opinion) has a lasting effect beyond the

time taken to do it. For example, when a person meditates for even only

10-15 minutes, the effect lasts for several hours later. Meditating

regularly has a cumulative effect; the more meditation, the more and

lasting effects.

Examples:

1 - Andy seems to have done not too bad for himself.

2 - A friend of mine was in a deep depression and got herself out of it

with meditation; years later, she is still depression-free.

3 - My mom kept a cancer in check for more than 20 years through daily

visualisation/meditation (Simonton method) among other things. Of

course, she also changed her diet big time, took appropriate

supplements for this, etc. She told me at the time that she believed it

was visualisation that kept her alive. She said that when you tell your

body/yourself daily that you are healthy, it happens. Cancer caught

with her into her 80s when whe stopped her protocols (visuation, diet,

etc.); and even then, it took about 4 years to do so.

Take good care,

Fran :- )

[Guest guest]

Hi Liz,

That is great news! Isn't is wonderful that nowadays, we have so many

choices as to what meditation/relaxation techiques will best work for

us.

Take good care,

Fran