Meditation and mental health

Tavs

Recently I've been getting very depressed and anxious, despite all my years of meditation and more recently, mantras and prayers. When I'm actually doing the practice, I feel much calmer but as soon as something appears which bothers me, I'm back to square one. So I don't know if my practice is actually helping my mind or not.

Vastmind

Do you have access to mental health care/help? I would strongly suggest that….i say that bec depression and anxiety usually can’t be addressed with just spirituality alone.

Tavs

Thanks yes, I'll be speaking to a couple of people about it this week.

Jeroen

I’d recommend keeping meditation sessions to not more than 20 minutes, or even to stop entirely for a while. Sometimes meditation can make things surface which are not ideal for normal living, and it’s best to take a cue from the normal mind, and just let things settle for a month or so.

I have some experience with mental health and meditation, and have worked as an expert-by-experience in the mental health field. It’s common for people with mental health difficulties to cut back on meditation when they’re not feeling well.

Jeffrey

I have mental health issues and I also adjust meditation durations when I am having symptoms. Shorter sessions. Also walking meditation can be good for depression because it gets the body going. Mindfulness during and between meditations can help you stay in the present and to "be with" difficult thoughts, feelings, and sensations. I like the RAIN exercise that psychologist and spiritualist Tara Brach talks about.

Tavs

RAIN exercise, I've not heard of that, what is it?

Tavs

And thanks Jeroen and Jeffrey for the advice about meditation. It never occurred to me that I might need to do less.

Shoshin1

@Tavs said:
Recently I've been getting very depressed and anxious, despite all my years of meditation and more recently, mantras and prayers. When I'm actually doing the practice, I feel much calmer but as soon as something appears which bothers me, I'm back to square one. So I don't know if my practice is actually helping my mind or not.

@Tavs
You may find this guided mindfulness meditation helpful

Mark Williams, the Oxford University professor of clinical psychology, he’s best known for co-developing Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBCT combines cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques with mindfulness practices derived from Buddhist meditation. It was designed primarily to help prevent relapse in people with recurrent depression by teaching them to recognise and disengage from negative thought patterns before they spiral.

There are 8 guided meditations he will take you through ...

Be well, stay mindful, stay focus, be present. 🙏🙏🙏

Tavs

Thanks for that Shoshin1 🙂

marcitko

Hey Tavs,
Since I find so much benefit, I joke that I'm the sports guru and that if I did not exercise on a particular day I don't get to complain.
Pretty much every single mental health resource of any approach will advocate exercise. If you aren't already, go exercise!
In addition to anxiety and depression, it will improve literally 100 other things.

Tavs

Yes my main exercise is walking.

Shoshin1

If you are close to a forest or countryside it good to wander around there. Connecting with nature does wonders for one's mental health.

lobster

The esoteric traditions of dharma, meditation and yoga and most spiritual practice will bring up what Christians call, "The Dark Night of The Soul"

As if we don't have enough to contend with.

This is when we retreat, go on retreat or retreat into [some of the ways and things others have recommended)

I recommend in no particular disorder:

• A change of diet
• Massage (if available especially with essential oils)
• Exercise (if possible)
• Therapy, conventional and unconventional
• Nature (as mentioned) actual or virtual

Everything in fact according to need and preference and availability. For example I may go to my local Indian shop and get some stress relief.today:
https://sgrh.com/blog/top-10-ayurvedic-remedies-for-stress-relief-
You might have different availability, maybe Chinese medicine...

The important thing is be flexible and remember you are on a path, not a snake-oil practice.

A break IS part of Dharma.
https://theculinarycure.com/kristens-cure-all-chicken-soup/

Jeroen

@Tavs said:
And thanks Jeroen and Jeffrey for the advice about meditation. It never occurred to me that I might need to do less.

No problem. Too much meditation can cause a variety of issues that look like mental health problems, in those who are sensitive. You’ll find that at meditation retreats they often ask about a background of mental health problems in the family, and may refuse entry to the retreat if there are enough “red flags” in someone’s application. The reason for this is that some people can suffer a breakthrough with accompanying mental health issues, sometimes even psychosis, during a retreat.

As far as I’m concerned, meditation doesn’t have to be done in long sessions to get the benefits. Something like 10 or 20 minutes a day can be enough.

Tavs

Thanks Lobster for reminding me about Ayurvedic herbs 🌿 I used to take Ashwaganda for stress but Tulsi might be better for mood.

lobster

So I don't know if my practice is actually helping my mind or not.

Knot!
Temporary.

Nothing can help 'your mind', until you don't have one.

Tavs

Thanks Lobster 🙂