The Zen Path Through Depression

Rating:
Summary: Poetry Won't Do It!
Review: This is a beautiful book. The author gives us many chapters
on what depression is really like. Also, meditations or
reflections on how to understand depression better. But we are
not given concise instructions on how to reduce the pain of depression. I have been studying depression for thirty-five years. Depression, I believe, is caused by a loss of our attachment
or desires. To reduce depression, we reduce desires. Very simply put: desire = depression. It is simply impossible for a desireless human being to be deeply depressed about anything.
I believe that any of the Buddhist paths reduce or eliminate depression. I picked the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism
(the same as His Holiness the Dali Lama) because of it's precision. One-half of all desires can be systematically eliminated
with two meditations.I
would recommend this book to all Zen practioners who have trouble with depression. For them, it will be a blessing.

Rating:
Summary: Poetry Won't Do It!
Review: This is a beautiful book. The author gives us many chapters
on what depression is really like. Also, meditations or
reflections on how to understand depression better. But we are
not given concise instructions on how to reduce the pain of depression. I have been studying depression for thirty-five years. Depression, I believe, is caused by a loss of our attachment
or desires. To reduce depression, we reduce desires. Very simply put: desire = depression. It is simply impossible for a desireless human being to be deeply depressed about anything.
I believe that any of the Buddhist paths reduce or eliminate depression. I picked the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism
(the same as His Holiness the Dali Lama) because of it's precision. One-half of all desires can be systematically eliminated
with two meditations.I
would recommend this book to all Zen practioners who have trouble with depression. For them, it will be a blessing.

Rating:
Summary: Gentle Support
Review: What makes this book so helpful is its tone. It pulls off the very difficult task of showing us how to face the pain of depression (and the emotions and thoughts that lie beneath it) while at the same time providing comfort and compassion for the suffering associated with depression. It is a book that can be read safely by those in the midst of depression. It will not add to the self imposed burdens and self-reproaches that come with depression. Rather, the reader is helped to see herself the way we would look at someone very dear to us who needs both unconditional love and limits, acceptance and encouragement. The book, written into two to three page chapters with meditation exercises at the end combines non-technical insight about depression with heartfelt advice about surviving and, if possible, benefitting spiritually from it. It is a book that helps us receive and re-discover self-acceptance, courage and gratitude.