Transforming Depression

Transforming Depression

Date Posted:
October 2005

A young nun was overcome with heavy depression for several months. Rinpoche gave her this advice over the phone.

Think, “This is purification.” When we experience depression and suffering, it is the result of negative karma. You can think that the negative karma is being purified in this life, instead of being experienced as many eons of suffering in the hell realms. So, the suffering now is very short, compared to being born in the hell realms.

There are different levels of purification. Because of the power of their bodhicitta, the negative karma of bodhisattvas is purified through being criticized by others, through bad dreams, and so forth. Their heavy negative karma – karma that would cause one to be born in the lower realms – is purified in this way. The arising of anger and heresy toward the guru might cause this depression. I can’t really say exactly whether it is karma from a past life or from this life.

Think that the purification you are experiencing comes from offering service to the guru or to other sentient beings with a sincere heart. Very powerful purification comes from this. Please remember this and think about it. You can write it down and put it in your room. Even negative karma can be purified by offering service with devotion, and through confession.

Then think, “I am experiencing this depression on behalf of so many sentient beings, who have depression now and who will be depressed in the future. I experience it myself, so that they may have all happiness up to enlightenment. How happy I am!”

Also, think that your depression is not only yours, but all other sentient beings’ depression. From time to time, take on depression from all living beings and absorb this depression into your self-cherishing thought. That thought then becomes completely non-existent.

One thing to think about is that your negative karma may be purified in the form of depression. Your past negative karma may come from the ten non-virtues. It may also come from when you made someone unhappy or the guru unhappy. This can be the cause of depression.

Because of Tilopa’s skill, Naropa experienced all sorts of hardships, then afterward he became pure. When your mind goes into depression, remember Buddha nature. Anybody can be purified. One’s karma can be purified, and one can be enlightened. Even if they have committed the heaviest negative karma, all sentient beings can be enlightened.

The ultimate nature of the mind is pure. There are only temporary obscurations. These occur due to causes and conditions. That is why one can be enlightened by causes and conditions. Everything can be fixed; one can be enlightened. Why? Because of Buddha nature. There is no choice – when the causes and conditions come together, one can be enlightened. Remember Milarepa.

Keep your mind on what I have said. You are young. There is so much you can do. These are the benefits of the philosophy of using depression to eliminate the self-cherishing thought. Make prayers to have bodhicitta and achieve enlightenment for all sentient beings. You can think, “By experiencing this depression, may it become the cause of happiness for many sentient beings.”