“By creating mental spaciousness, you will realize that you have much more control over how you feel and think than you imagined.” – The Meditation Bible by Madonna Gauding
Recently, I had an emotional breakdown. I realized that my pent-up anger and frustration were a way for my depression to find refuge in my mind. When I felt that I could not connect with my husband, a good friend was there to pull me out. As one who suffers from periodic bouts of depression, all I ask of others is to be there when a friend or family member is seeking help. Listening, comforting, and validating why they are essential is crucial to help them through their slump.
It may seem trivial and selfish of the depressed individual. After all, suicide is a selfish act. However, validation helps them to see reason when there is no reasoning going on inside their heads, only darkness, pain, suffering, and plenty of reasons why they are not significant to anyone.
Being entirely consumed by negative thoughts leaves no room for positive thinking. It may be exhausting for those who don’t suffer from depression and have loved ones who do. Still, you are the rescuer at the end of the rope of your life-preserving words to a depressed victim drowning in her own sea of sorrow. Your depressed friends and family cannot do it alone and need your help. Assist them freely and without restrictions, and be ready to be there when they need you the most.
The next day, I woke up rejuvenated, ready to tackle my problems and find a way to walk out of the sludge of self-remorse. Spacious Mind helped me to feel at peace. People who suffer from depression tend to worry too much and overthink things. This meditation gave me a place to focus my attention on my out-breath. I then created a space in my mind by recognizing a thought that came up and gently pushing it aside. When I began to feel at peace and free of my thoughts, I stayed there a while (in that space) until I was ready to pull myself out of meditation with one deep breath.
By allowing myself time to push aside all thoughts, I felt the peace wash over me. And the harmful thoughts were not quick to return once I left my meditation. This meditation is great for future use with reoccurring depression.
Stacy N. Elliott 