Depression and meditation.

• Prevalence of Meditation by James Spira, 3/30/98
  
  

Four years ago I started practicing yoga, and meditating. For about two years, I practiced everyday. Then I slowed down and eventually stopped practicing do to lack of time. This year has been a hard year for me, both physically and mentally. I have lost four friends to either suicide, or murder. Along with these four, another has been diagnosed with cancer, and isn't expected to live another month. I have been to two different institutions for mental therapy, neither of with worked. After which, I started to practice yoga again, and started to meditate. Since I reintroduced yoga and meditation into my daily routine, I have once again become social, not as depressed, less stressed, and now have a brighter outlook on life. This I have mainly contributed to yoga and meditation. I am currently looking into Tai Chi, and Aikido class for the summer. Due to this experience of mine, I have come to the conclusion that those persons with menatal and or physical disorders, should not be necessarily issued perscriptions of drugs, but rather perscriptions of meditation for so long each day, and for certain classes of certain arts. As a result of this finding, I have been looking into the use of herbs for medicinal use. This has brought me into the realms the Ancient Chinese Culture, and their psycological views, and medicinal views. Which I believe, to be what the medical field should be looking to for more of their answers.

• Depression and meditation by Gary Van Arman,LCSW, 5/17/98