[SeekerOfLife]

Does being depressed mean I am not very spiritual?

[gayleggg]

I believe if you were spiritual before being depressed you are still spiritual, it's just that the depression takes over your thoughts and dulls our true selves. We can still be spiritual but it takes energy to push the depression out of our minds and allow the spiritual come into out lives. Meditation helps. Even if you can just find time for some prayer it will help you feel more in tune with your spirituality.

[arachnophobia.kid]

That's very much a subjective question so I'd ask you the same thing, what do you think?

Personally I don't see how being depressed would mean that you're not spiritual.

[Gus1234U]

i hope you will join us in the hosted Spirituality Chat on saturdays at noon eastern.

I believe one can be spiritual despite depression, Seekersinking. The fog may obscure the mountain. But the mountain is still there. Lately, I've been toying with the idea of the emptiness one can feel in depression as being a sort of enlightenment that simply lacks knowledge regarding how to respond. If this is the case, then, not only may you be spiritual... but you may be experiencing something akin to true enlightenment. Sounds good, don't you think? Please take heart. You are a spiritual person regardless of your depression.

[yumi]

I'm to the point to where I believe there is spiritual oppression. For me and my beliefs , I honestly think there is a fight over us, both good and evil and it has nothing to do with our authentic selves. I think we are being attacked somehow in this battle. It does not mean you are not spiritual....it means there is a fight going on that you can't see, but you can certainly feel. Spiritual oppression to me makes a lot of sense.

No, of course not. If you had a broken leg, would that mean you were not spiritual? If anything, illness gives us an opportunity to become more spiritual.

[SeekerOfLife]

Originally Posted by arachnophobia.kid

That's very
much a subjective question so I'd ask you the same thing, what do you think?

Personally I don't see how being depressed would mean that you're not spiritual.

My depression has clouded everything. That is why I asked.
So what do I think? I have been trying to get closer to God for what seems like a long time. It is like something inside me has died. Perhaps I am incapable of responding.

[arachnophobia.kid]

Originally Posted by seekersinking

My depression has clouded everything. That is why I asked.
So what do I think? I have been trying to get closer to God for what seems like a long time. It is like something inside me has died. Perhaps I am incapable of responding.

I can empathize with your lack of clarity and how confusing that can be. However, you've expressed that you're trying to get closer to God and you're also seeking help here. To me that says you're doing great in terms of spiritual living.

[bxgpsy]

Originally Posted by The Skeezyks

I believe one can be spiritual despite depression, Seekersinking. The fog may obscure the mountain. But the mountain is still there. Lately, I've been toying with the idea of the emptiness one can feel in depression as being a sort of enlightenment that simply lacks knowledge regarding how to respond. If this is the case, then, not only may you be spiritual... but you may be experiencing something akin to true enlightenment. Sounds good, don't you think? Please take heart. You are a spiritual person regardless of your depression.

I like this idea! Maybe there is no reponse necessary, just try and experience what is there.

[SeekerOfLife]

Thank you all for responding. I often lay my head on the table and pray as best as I can. I am trying to understand. Maybe I am to blame for this heaviness. Yes, the mountain is there, even when I cannot see it.

Another thought that occurred to me, with regard to this, Seekersinking, is that, to me, there is a sense in which one's spirituality has more to do with how one lives life rather than what happens to be going on in one's mind. I don't mean to belittle thoughts & ideas. They're important too. But, to me at least, what's most important is what one is doing on a day-to-day basis. If one is striving to live a spiritually sensitive life, then one is spiritual even if, in the mind, the connection to one's source of spirituality is obscured.

[(JD)]

We are all spiritual beings.

In another vein, would you ask if you were spiritual because you have diabetes? Depression is not "all in the head" though the solution is (brain chemicals.)

[Fuzzybear]

[SeekerOfLife]

I was thinking that maybe my spirit needs to be fed a little extra at this difficult time.

[lwood797]

I think many seek faith/spirituality more when depressed. Its when we need help the most and even if we don't feel spiritual if the effort is there then its just being clouded.

[Little Lulu]

It has been my experience that the negative thinking and false, fear-based beliefs that goes along with depression obscures my true self - a Divine Spirit in a human body, inexorably linked with others. So yes, I believe that depression does cause me lose sight of the Truth ... that I am a perfect child of the Universe (or however you want to say it).

Thank you for this question. It allowed me to think about this and revisit my beliefs.