Depression & Dark Night of the Soul

Introduction: Why Does Depression Hit Hard Workers?

“I lived my best, but suddenly I don’t want to do anything.” Depression does not come to lazy people. It comes to ‘diligent people’ who burned their energy to the end. Psychology calls this Burnout, but spiritual psychology calls it ‘Dark Night of the Soul’.

Core Concept: Not Broken, Just Paused

When a computer does a massive OS update, the screen goes black and freezes. We think “It’s broken”, but the system is actually Rebooting. Depression is an essential Incubation period for your old Ego to die and new Self to be born.

Clinical Depression vs Spiritual Night

Of course, not all depression is spiritual.

Clinical Depression: Neurochemical imbalance, helplessness, self-destructive impulses. Needs treatment.
Dark Night: Accompanied by existential questions like “What is the meaning of life?” Things you used to like become dull, and the world looks gray. This is a state of losing interest in ‘false pleasures’.

Deep Dive: What do to in the Dark

Do not force yourself to be bright (Positive Thinking) during this time. It is like waking up a hibernating bear. Thomas Moore said to “Care of the Soul”.

Active Isolation: Instead of meeting people, go into your own cave. You must stop energy leaking out so it gathers inside.
Digesting Sadness: Sadness is not a bad emotion. It makes us Deep. Shallow streams chatter, but the deep sea is silent and dark. You are descending into the deep sea.
Waiting: For a caterpillar to become a butterfly inside the cocoon, it must completely melt its body. You are currently melting.

Practical Application: Attitude Waiting for Light

“This too shall pass” is not a consolation. “I shall let this soak into my soul” is correct.

Do not light a lamp in the dark, but wait until your eyes adjust to the darkness. Then invisible stars will start to appear. Your ‘True Wish’, ‘True Self’ is shining in that darkness.

Conclusion: Darkest Before Dawn

Depression is not an enemy to destroy you. It is an architect to remodel you. Open the door. And sit quietly beside him until he finishes construction. When finished, you will have a wider and deeper house (Soul) than before.

References:

Thomas Moore, Care of the Soul
St. John of the Cross, The Dark Night of the Soul