Depression vs Enlightenment

[doneforlife]

How is depression different from enlightenment, when in both situations, one has stopped running after the world and it's materialistic stuff?

 

[Praestat_Mori]

Depression is a kind of natural protection mechanism of our brain if we have too much stress and can't handle this anymore (ofc the whole thing is much more complex what can lead to a depression!) Enlightenment is sth someone can reach through deep meditation what ever they might be enlightened of then.

It has nothing to do with abstaining from "materialistic stuff" imo.

Depression doesn't necessarily mean that someone abstains from "materialistic stuff" maybe the need for materialistic stuff to cover the needs for a bearable life can't be met and are the major cause for a depression.

 

[Manfrotto99]

Enlightenment is through choice, a person might choose to dissociate themselves with material things because they could get in the way of their spiritual development. They would still be able to have their basic needs met though. It is almost impossible to have enlightenment when one is constantly struggling to have their basic needs met. Depression on the other hand is not a choice, it's a form of oppression that is placed upon someone, it often says we must suffer and are not worthy to receive.

 

[new2blue]

Elightenment is typically found by weakening the ego, the self. Monks learned long ago that all suffering originates from within. They practice non reaction, simply observing the world around them, floating dettached in their minds. They would rather be a rock than a person. Depression colours everything. Its a reaction to life, or to the self. Ironically, true elightenment would require being like a rock, unable to react cognitively to anything. To simply be, to experience without reaction or judgement.

 

[Davey36000]

Depression is suffering, and whatever state is attained through meditation or spiritual practice is not suffering.

At least not in accordance to the ones who proclaimed Enlightenment.

Now what it is, I dunno. But I think there is a state, and some who took psychedelics also proclaim, where you're happy to just be. No need to fulfill any goal or purpose to be happy. Just existing is enough.

Also there are other factors that accompany such state like virtue/harmlessness because happy people don't go around causing suffering to others, and other factors that I can't remember now, but they are all good qualities.

 

[doneforlife]

Enlightenment is through choice, a person might choose to dissociate themselves with material things because they could get in the way of their spiritual development. They would still be able to have their basic needs met though. It is almost impossible to have enlightenment when one is constantly struggling to have their basic needs met. Depression on the other hand is not a choice, it's a form of oppression that is placed upon someone, it often says we must suffer and are not worthy to receive.

I can't comprehend how Buddhists leave everything and continue to live. If you have no attachments and you are not passionate about anything, you are already dead. Does it matter if it's a choice ? Like what is it you wake up for exactly? What drives you. If there are no desires , how do you not get into depression and want to end it all?

 

[AInilam]

I don't know how anyone can find enlightenment in the world, I'm sure some do but I'd much prefer to ctb. I don't care much for spirituality anymore, I think it's all just an intensive coping mechanism.

 

[Davey36000]

I can't comprehend how Buddhists leave everything and continue to live. If you have no attachments and you are not passionate about anything, you are already dead. Does it matter if it's a choice ? Like what is it you wake up for exactly? What drives you. If there are no desires , how do you not get into depression and want to end it all?

I think they are happy because they like what they do. They like their routine as monks and if they're the ones who engage with the community and do volunteer work like the ones from Plum Village, then they get to help others and that is very fulfilling.

I think in many cultures we've adapted norms/been brainwashed that we always have to be doing something (guess who benefits from this?), otherwise we are wasting time "doing nothing".

Activity and inactivity are the same in terms of importance but for people who work full time jobs there is no moderation.

8 hours of work + transportation + all the household chores then sleep.

Where is the balance in this and for what purpose except for enrichment of some who will never be happy anyway because they always want more profits?

 

[doneforlife]

I think they are happy because they like what they do. They like their routine as monks and if they're the ones who engage with the community and do volunteer work like the ones from Plum Village, then they get to help others and that is very fulfilling.

I think in many cultures we've adapted norms/been brainwashed that we always have to be doing something (guess who benefits from this?), otherwise we are wasting time "doing nothing".

Activity and inactivity are the same in terms of importance but for people who work full time jobs there is no moderation.

8 hours of work + transportation + all the household chores then sleep.

Where is the balance in this and for what purpose except for enrichment of some who will never be happy anyway because they always want more profits?

I wasn't speaking of activity and inactivity. People who help others and derive pleasure, happiness and fulfilment out of that activity means they are passionate about helping others. They derive some pleasure out of it. I was specifically asking about people who are completely desire less. They don't get any pleasure even by helping others. Neither are they focused in achieving enlightenment or whatever.