I am not a medical doctor and this is not medical advice nor meant for the chemically depressed. It seems to me, in many years of coaching and observing human behavior, that almost everybody gets a little depressed some time. It might be a blue mood that hangs around for a long time or a sad, hopeless feeling following some change in life circumstances like a job loss, an empty nest, or a divorce. But one thing is for sure, when you are in it - it doesn't feel too good and it can give the impression of being unshakable or maybe even a permanent state of being because there is very little hope in your personal reservoir.
Angeles Arrien, Ph.D. is a cultural anthropologist who has studied indigenous cultures of the world and brings these words of wisdom as part of her body of work which she calls The Four Fold Way.
When a person goes to the medicine man or woman with symptoms of depression, like sadness, lack of energy, uninterested in getting up in the morning, uninspired, or an absence of any good feelings, the healer will offer what Arrien calls, "The Four Healing Salves."
"When did you stop singing?" she will ask. Translated this means, "When did you stop using your voice?" When did you stop asking for what you want? When did you stop speaking your truth? This is the first clue to what is driving the feeling of feeling bad.
"When did you stop dancing?" the medicine woman will ask. In other words, when did you stop moving your body and listening to the wisdom of the body. Physical movement, what the ancients referred to as dance, can be exercise, walking, stretching, dancing, gardening - just about anything that uses the body. When you don't move the body, energy sits contained in the instrument and it doesn't flow through. Energy congestion then contributes to the feeling of depression.
"When did you become enchanted by the stories others have of you? When did you stop listening to your own stories, especially the story of your life?" she will inquire. This healing salve points you to the importance of being true to yourself, to your essence, and authenticity in your life. Have you been living your life for others? Parents, kids, a spouse, to fit into a community?
And her final question, "When did you stop practicing the sweet territory of silence?" In silence there is space for reflection and learning and gratitude and insight and creativity. Without it, the soul withers. Where is your time for reflection and learning?
These four useful insights to help heal a depression can be summarized like this:
- Use your voice to speak your truth
- Move your body to shift the energy.
- Be authentic. Tell your own story not someone else's.
- And practice silence.
Depression, sadness and other low states of energy can seem overwhelming and unbeatable when we find ourselves in the midst of them. These simple insights point the way out and through these negative mindsets/moods to more joyful ground.
Photo courtesy of Emy_racoon
