Be careful to always rule out physiological causes for depression first, which may mean a trip to the medical doctor. Depression is also a symptom as well as a problem.

I believe Buddha teaches us depression can also come from not accepting life on its own terms by expecting things to be different they they are. When I am depressed I often find I am either grasping for what i do not have or trying to repeal what I do not want. If i breath and find joy in the reality of what is the depression slowly lifts.

I am sure dishonesty to one self and others about the past can also be part of ones depression but I do not believe there is only one causality.

Trungpa Rinpoche had some interesting things to say about depression.

This may be of interest, though it isn't written by him it refers to his teachings.

docs.google.com/View.aspx

Donovan, depression can be a very complex problem. It's hard to know if it's actually the problem itself or simply the symptom of deeper issues overwhelming you. Personally, I recommend against physiological treatment, unless as a last resort to keep you safe, but only for a short time. Said treatments can mask the underlying cause and prolong your suffering, considerably. It's possible to avoid the depression, like so much of the suffering in our lives, and never truly deal with the cause on your way to healing that aspect of yourself. It takes the Warrior's courage, to be sure, and I applaud you for recognizing and "calling it out."

Trungpa Rinpoche talked about the fact that sitting meditation brings into brilliant focus so many of the things we normally avoid, specifically our neuroses. He said, “In the practice of sitting meditation you relate to your daily life all the time. Meditation practice brings our neuroses to the surface rather than hiding them at the bottom of our minds. It enables us to relate to our lives as something workable.”

For me, this was why I started down the Shambala path. I needed a way to calm my heart and deal with my bouts of depression and sadness. I learned that the warrior's courage, in living through fear, not only gives you the freedom to deal with the others in your life causing you pain, it also gives you freedom to fight the demons within that can cause the most fear. Those monsters we make of ourselves instead of simply recognizing and gently dealing with the thing that frightened us, in the first place.

Remember, meditation is not a form of escape from life. It is a chance to go within and embrace our lives in a raw and intimate way that we, as brothers and sisters on the path to Shambala, can learn to find joy in. Embrace yourself, embrace the world.

Love and light, dear ones.
Rev

What if depression is merely a part of the landscape of life. There are hills and valleys. I have experienced deep depression and what drew me out was the realization of the potentiality of the next moment. If one can embrace and ride with the ebbs and flows of life one can find peace (for at least a moment here and there). Life is not meant to be without pain and suffering. The spiritual path is to identify suffering and by being compassion remove the need for suffering.

i love this tribe! and i am so happy i found it and to hear all your dear sound advice! obviously i am not depressed at the moment. but something said here made me realize that if i did not have this chemistry i would not be so motivated to practice and find that equanimity that lovely peace that comes as a result.

thank you all dear people for your kindness!