The Mindful Way Through Depression

Hello

So since my last blog a few things have happened which have led me to feel a low that I have struggled with.  However thanks to my forum buddies at http://everyday-mindfulness.org/forum/index.php?sid=8a30cb2d601077fd9ff414bf378cb495 I found the courage to purchase the book "The Mindful Way through Depression".

I have started to read it and wow! it has made a lot of sense to me. The more I read of it the more I I have realised that there is much more biology to my thought patterns and depression then I initially thought. I have taken great comfort in the fact that I am normal. I spent many years believing that there was something 'wrong' with me and something 'different' about the way I think. However, I have learnt from this book that my brain has simply developed pathways that make it more vulnerable to depression and there is nothing 'wrong' with me at all. This has lifed a weight off my shoulders. 

I decided to give the exercises a go and yes it has been hard at times. However, there are also times when I have come out of formal practice feeling a lot calmer.  I have practiced most days even if it is for a 3 minute breathing practice.  I have also started to realise that my thinking doesn't help the way I react and feel. 

However, I have tended to realise this after the event and when I have become so tied up in knots that I have become drawn into it.   I guess this is a starting point as it is progress that I have realised this at all.  I need to keep practicing and practicing.  This was never shown better than the day I did a 3 minute breathing meditation and found myself crying.  This was such a different experience I felt that I was able to let my emotions out without self judgement and self loathing. 

I have a lot of work still to do and need to keep practicing my meditations and reading up on mindfulness.  I am recognising the benefits of mindfulness and I hope that this can continue with the help of my forum buddies.

Thanks to you all.