Anxiety and depression an integrative approach

Two of the most prevalent mental health concerns today are depression and anxiety. They affect millions of individuals worldwide and it is predicted that one in five people will go through a period of depression at some point in their lives.

There are many ways of treating depression and anxiety today. I am concerned with the spiritual approach, which is based on supporting the physical component to these conditions. The physical aspect of these disorders, ironically, is the foundation of the spiritual approach to the treatment of depression and anxiety. This is done not through the suppression of the symptoms, but through the work of getting to know them and the exploration of them – when we focus on them and breathe into them in a meditative way. To our surprise, I have found that we recognise that the shattered and disconnected world outside is a reflection of our own inner life and vice versa. In some instances, there may be a specific intelligence at play, and the treatment strategy must be altered accordingly.

Impundulu, which loosely translates from isiZulu to "lightning bird" is the name given to this intelligence. According to traditional African medicine, experiencing depression indicates that you have been struck by a lightning bird drawn to you by thoughts of superiority and otherness. Accordingly these beings adore eating contempt and will make their victims feel this way as a means to feed, comparable to kicking a grain bag to release the grain. These beings leave us with so many holes that our energy just drains away. In addition to losing vigour and filling ourselves with rage and judgement, we also become covered in a dark grey cloud that robs us of the light that shines down on us from above. The dread of having something taken from us, or having something we already have lost, then feeds the depression. The remedy is easy. Learn to be humble! I agree, it's easier said than done!

We must pursue an integrative strategy if we are to truly heal. Traditional and integrative medicine treatments are holistic in approach so they look at all the aspects of you and so patients tend to recover faster and enjoy better health than those who simply opt for a purely chemical or botanical approach! Thankfully, mindfulness meditation greatly reduces the influence of negative thoughts and feelings of helplessness while lowering stress levels, enhancing attention and concentration, raising energy levels, and promoting self-esteem. It fosters self-acceptance, enhances compassion for others and for oneself, and strengthens interpersonal connections while assisting people in efficiently coping with hardship. We become hardship resistant and begin to enjoy more of the benefits of life. There is a part of us that is actually more in control than we assumed!

Therefore I suggest a daily morning practice of mindfulness meditation along with some type of soothing herbal blend to help just take the claws out of life, so that we can all become more of who we want to be in this life and contribute to bringing about a better world. If you would like to find out more about mindfulness meditation or herbal preparations for well being, please contact me.

gentlerainhealing@gmail.com