Antidote To Depression

Depression increases risk for and worsens outcomes among those with coronary artery disease, stroke, and cancer.  Worldwide, major depressive disorder is a leading source of morbidity, and by 2030 it is projected to be the number one contributor to the global burden of disease.
 
An article in Psychology Today by Ellen McGrath stated pretty simply, “The less love you have, the more depression you are likely to experience in your life. Love is probably the best antidepressant there is because one of the most common sources of depression is feeling unloved.”  The subheading to that article was “Love is the best antidepressant”.

The article goes on to say that common culture has many unrealistic and untrue ideas about love, especially romantic love.  Then she states, ‘It is not only possible but necessary to change one's approach to love’.

In our beginning course of “The Art of Ascension”, we talk about the many misconceptions we hold, not only about love, but also many other things in life.  These misconceptions do not serve us in living a fulfilled or happy life.  The Art of Ascension teaches simple tools that not only retrains the mind, but clarifies our perceptions…to experience life more innocently, rather than through the lens of our societal belief systems and misconceptions.

By simply learning these tools and incorporating them into our life, we begin to more innocently experience the attitudes of Praise, Gratitude, Love and Compassion.  That experience, the experiences of Love moving in and through our lives, opens us to so much more of life.

Research shows that meditation can reduce anxiety, stress, and possibly depression.  Results of a study on a meditation focused on positive emotions produced increases in a wide range of personal resources (e.g., purpose in life, social support, and decreased illness symptoms). In turn, these increments in personal resources predicted increased life satisfaction and reduced depressive symptoms.

Depressed people tend to ruminate on their problems, causing anxiety.  A daily practice such as Art of Ascension can give one skills to witness their thoughts as well as develop an ability to make clearer choices about their thoughts. Using the Art of Ascension throughout the day can replace those ruminating thoughts.