Book on using Zen for depression

The Zen Path through Depression by Martin, P.

1999. Harper, San Francisco Author Philip Martin has practiced Zen for many years. When he came down with a bout of depression, he used Zen training to move past depression. His book describes many subtle aspects of the depressed sate, and it instructs us in a variety of meditations. At many AA meetings, members are given a chip for different lengths of time away from alcohol. Nearly all chips include the quote from Shakespeare "To thine own self be true." Meditation, especially what is taught in this book, will help us all to be true to ourselves.
Buddha says much of our suffering comes from our attachment to people and things. We want to have the things that give us pleasure remain as they are. In other words, we do not like change; a change may result in losing a part of our life that we have grown attached to. A sense of loss can cause us to spiral down into depression. Obtaining an acceptance of a world that changes can help us climb out of the pit of despair.

Fear can be a major component of depression. We worry that in some future moment we will not have what we want, or will lose what we have. We don't want to feel this pain. When we are faced with real danger right now, fear is useful, and it is what we need to be feeling. But much of our fear comes from projection into the future--worry and anticipation over what might (or is going to ) happen.

Meditation can remove the lid and let out the terrifying, ugly, and boring thoughts and emotions that we had locked away inside of us. It can allow us to feel and accept our true feelings. When we face these demons inside of us, they lose the power to overwhelm us. They might still be there, but they do not stay in control.

Depression makes us aware of doubt that we carry with us. We wonder if anyone really cares or if we are really of any use in the world. We may have looked to a job, a relationship, a belief, or a philosophy to give us some certainty. We want our life to be predictable and right. Mediation will help us to live peacefully with doubt and unpredictably.

Buddha also described a fundamental truth that the suffering in our lives is caused by our desire. We want experience, sensation, and pleasure. At the same time we try to avoid merely uncomfortable and neutral feelings as well. And even when we experience something pleasurable, it is flavored with the thought that we could lose it, so we cling to it even more strongly. Some of us seek relief from uncomfortable feelings with alcohol and other drugs. These often work for a while, but sometimes eventually steal our souls. More socially approved ways of seeking relief from unacceptable feelings are food, television, sex, and work. By reducing this quest for total and permanent pleasure, we can rise from sadness without resorting to drugs or obsessive behaviors.

Many of our beliefs develop from our judgments. We may judge the world and others. If we judge others harshly--we probably also have high standards for ourselves. It is difficult to always reach our high standards so we frequently judge ourselves as being not good enough for falling short. This idea was summarized in the bible with "Judge not, lest you be judged."

"Meditation is nothing special or exotic. Instead, it is simply slowing down to listen to what is within and around us. It is paying attention with our heart and our mind to each moment as it presents itself to us. " Meditation has allowed me to grow beyond my depression to a whole new life. This book can also help you go beyond low points in your life, to become the person you were meant to be.