Enlightenment and anti-depressants?

not an expert on enlightenment. here's my 2 cents.

there's different traditions, descriptions of different paths

some folks say don't even seek it. that is, being one with everything/one and trying to achieve a goal for the self is contradictory

there seems to be general agreement that meditation is both beneficial generally and a path to enlightenment

also, that you should meditate everyday for at least an hour. doing it everyday for an hour for three years is supposed to create a permanent change, that is, you learn the ability to relax in stressful situations, and take on a life-long resistance to stress.

this could help you a lot with depression

btw, you may want to also check out a book called "curing depression naturally with chinese medicine" by bob flaws

there also seems to be general agreement that virtuous conduct will aid you on your path

may enlightenment be realized in you magnificently, and soon!

 

Thank you for your opinion and I will definitely be checking that book out! Practice makes perfect! :2thumbsup:

 

As many have inferred, there is no 'enlightment' per se. Such a state of mind is dependent upon what preceeded it. So experiences of enlightenment are relative to the study upon which they follow. A sense of enlightenment without any original foundation would be unfounded and unguided and without lighten-ment.

The notion of enlightenment really follows from Buddhism. Before Buddhism some 2,500 years ago there was no individual enlightenment available outside of varnashrama of the Vedic priest system. Buddhism opened up the notion of personal nirvana through serious pratice. In the time since Buddhism and Hinduism, as well as Daoism, and Confucianism, and other Eastern religions, all have melded together so that there is now a sense that they are all speaking of the same things. But that isn't the case.

Even in yoga philosophy there are levels of enlightenment from samadhi, to Brahman Consciousness. Enlightenment here is spoken of as a developmental path.

There are sudden enlightenment paths such as Zen and Dzogchen. But sudden enlightenmment is also suddenly over.

But to get back to your original question, no, you can meditate and set spiriual goals on antidepressants. Please do so. And remember, the spiritual goals you set are for you, you are not setting them to help them. Does that make sense? Own, don't be owned. Make them work for you. States of enlightenment, don't cook dinner.

Enlightenment is about lightening up.

 

It's kind of paradoxical.

1 - you will never always be calm and peaceful all the time - ever
2 - the sooner you realize that and learn to love and appreciate every experience, good or bad, as a sacred part of the human experience, you will find some sort of ''enlightenment''.

It is only your own reaction to negative experiences that cause you grief. You are not to let sadness, fear, anger or frustration define you, just like you are not to let happinness, joy or excitement define you. These are temporary things.

There is a true essence underneath all those emotions and that is what you want to get in touch with. It's a good goal for meditation and it is why we observe our thoughts. These thoughts, emotions, feelings, your name, your experiences - they are like clouds slowly passing. And you, you are the sky.

Take note of the clouds, let them drift by. Don't try to control them, carry them with you, push them away, or keep them with you.

Let the clouds be clouds and always remember you are the sky.