Rethinking Depression
Finding true meaning in the modern world
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society”
J. Krishnamurti
The above quote I’ve probably referred to more than any other in my entire life. As someone who has not only battled with depression for half a lifetime, but has also been highly philosophical, it really hits the mark on a number of levels. For this quote to resonate one has to have firmly established, or at the very least questioned the nature and structure of the society in which we currently live. Believing that we are collectively supported and that our deep authentic needs are met within our current society will most likely lead to a lack of resonance with this ideology.
For hundreds of years psychologists and philosophers alike have pondered on the difference in influence of hereditary (genes) vs environment in its impact on disease. We know that both can significantly influence physical and mental health outcomes in life. In this case it is not so much whether one is more relevant but rather which is being more emphasised, and in what way. Additionally we must throw an additional, and incredibly important factor into the mix. That of Spirit and Soul. If we only focus on our biology and our life circumstances we are ignoring arguably this most fundamental aspect. It is this aspect that is the remedy for an increasingly materialistic lifestyle that is often lacking deeper meaning. So what exactly is this meaning and how is it missing?
If we are to look around with new eyes at our current modern world and see what is admired and given emphasis to we would see wealth, success, and power (amongst other things) as something to aspire to. It is not that there’s anything inherently wrong with these things, rather that they are portrayed as an answer or a solution to life’s struggles. If only I had the car, the job, the money, the girlfriend, the success etc I’d be happy. I’d be fulfilled. This message is being constantly reinforced through the hall of mirrors known as the media and advertising industry. An industry that relies on appealing to our innate feeling of lack to sell its products.
Unfortunately we are not only sold illusions of industry but many of us are consciously or unconsciously supporting this paradigm by buying into it. Our friends and peers now becoming additional reinforcements of this agenda as we compare ourselves, our accumulations and our status to those around us.
When have you ever felt most happy in your life? What deep and lingering feelings of peace and contentment have come from people, places or things outside of you vs your own internal experience? What gives meaning to your life?
One of the biggest problems we run into is when what we find to be personally meaningful and valuable is not reflected back to us by the society in which we live. This deeper meaning for many can be found in our own unique connection to something greater than ourselves. Some call this spirit or soul. Spirit is at its very essence ‘immaterial’. Acknowledging spirit is also acknowledging that that we are more than just our minds and bodies, that there is a part of us that exists beyond these realms.
Jiddu Krishnamurti was considered by many to be an enlightened man of great wisdom and insight. His statement about the inherent sickness within our society was not just a reference to physical and mental health, it was also a reference to a culture that that does not prioritise or value the spiritual nature of human beings.
Hopefully you don’t have to of experienced being an enlightened sage, monk or yogi to see that true happiness and fulfilment comes from within. I trust that many of you reading have known at least some material wealth, success and or accumulation. Having known this you may also experienced deep down the lasting level of peace that you are left with from these items or experiences.
Many people go their whole lives living in a way that aligns with the views and beliefs of the society in which they live in. This is all well and good if one unanimously agrees that this is what they want and desire. However for every round hole there is also a number of square pegs still trying their hardest to “fit in”. They know and feel within their spirit and soul that this modern society does not recognise or value their unique views, values, talents or gifts. Nevertheless many compromise their deeper truth to not only fit in but also to simply survive. After all bills must be paid and money must be saved if we are to stay moving on the treadmill and not fall off into the abyss that at awaits at its very edges. For many of us social exclusion and societal isolation are an outcome worse than death, and so we find a compromise where we can and stay with the herd. It is a brave person indeed that swims upstream against the dominant current, following a calling from deep within that exists completely off their current map of reality.
So what does it look like when we don’t pathologize depression as an internal physiological state, rather as a lack of meaning within a current societal framework? Well it means we need to get better at supporting, nurturing, and giving validation to the vast array of people that have needs that exist outside of the limiting box we have collectively created. We also need to recognise that a society that does not acknowledge the profoundly spiritual influence on our wellbeing and will continue to be sick indeed.
P.S If you’re reading this and it’s before the 1st of March 2022 I’ve still got time to get to 100 followers so I can stay a part of the Medium Partner program (that allows writers like me to make money off our writings !). I would greatly appreciate you following me and helping me reach this goal !
