I’m not, despite my nihilistic adolescence and early adulthood, very familiar with depression but think I may be suffering slightly from it. I say this because the events of life have become so unpleasant of late that I feel as if every thing that goes wrong or is not as planned is almost too much to bear. It is as if all of my skin has been rubbed off and I simply cannot stand to be touched by anything.
Where does practice go here? Do I simply allow it to be another casualty of mmy ongoing misfortunes? I think that, no matter what happens, my faith in the Buddhadhamma will survive but I am worried now as I see so much beginning to slip through my fingers.
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
Dear Dayaka, born as human being and the Dhamma is still available…even you would be the last human being in the desert after an atomic super blast..this truth is there and a stabil base to be happy from first moment you awake in the morning..Kanthi,patience and Metta are the great virtues of all Buddhas…i didn.t get much pindapada food today..but no problem…check your Dana parami..generiousity always good to practise..it.s includes the deep teaching of letting go as well…donate a lot of smiles to the world,thats enough..you are always welcome as a meditator and anagarika in one of the 100dreds of monastries or centres on the beautiful island of sri lanka…Bhavatu sabbe mangalam
By: Ven.dhammadipa on 01/31/2014
at 1:48 am
Thank you Ayya!
By: Upāsaka on 01/31/2014
at 2:32 am
First let me say that I wish for you to be at peace. I have been in treatment for depression for 30 years. Years of medication finally became fruitful when I began to meditate (recommended by my shrink) and when I took refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. I would never minimize depression. I know much too little about the workings of the human brain. But it dawned on me that sadness, emotional stress, and the physical stress which accompanies are the product of “what I want”, what I don’t want”, and “that will fix me”. The Buddha hit it right on the head. It really is ALL about desire, aversion, and confusion. I was 59 years old when I took refuge and began to practice Buddha Dhamma. I am 62 now and it hit me in the gut one day. If I am sad and stressed it’s generally because I want something, I don’t want something, and I convince myself that will do the trick. I am so grateful for that little bit of insight. I’m grateful that it wasn’t merely an intellectual insight but that it did indeed hit me in the gut. I sincerely hope that you find some peace. May you be happy. May you be safe. May you be healthy. May you be at ease.
By: Ricardo Zayas on 01/31/2014
at 2:30 am
Thank you Ricardo! I really appreciate your words.
By: Upāsaka on 01/31/2014
at 2:32 am