TV Channel

Depression is indeed a very significant problem, and its state is profoundly terrible. It is a form of pain—a feeling of loss, loneliness, and a sudden absence of body consciousness. Many people commit suicide because of it. Depression arises from various reasons, not just one. Primarily, it affects women more than men. The emotion or psyche of women is very changeable, or rather, very effective and quickly influenced by nature. There is a very strong influence on the female nature with the changing moon, the changing seasons, and life cycles. Some women experience depression after childbirth, some after the age of 40 or 50 due to changing cycles, and many have depression monthly, before or after their period. There are many different reasons. There is also a particular depression that follows from family to family through generations. Furthermore, more depressions are emerging now due to two main reasons. First, diet and food influence both men and women. Second, there is widespread disappointment in this world. We face disappointment in every aspect of life: business, education, professions, family, friends, and colleagues. One tries their best and invests confidence, only for it to suddenly come to nothing. Slowly, these disappointments and impressions from the outer world sink into the subconscious mind, which cannot master or contain them all. What happens then is that a cloud, a steam, or smoke emerges from the subconscious. The conscious mind, the intellect, lacks clarity about these feelings. When the intellect cannot provide an answer or judgment—whether about a book or a microphone—those unformed desires from the subconscious rise to the conscious mind, still unformed, and one suddenly loses touch with reality. The best approach in such a state is to let time pass. One should relax and allow time to pass; the state will change on its own. A second technique is physical activity: swimming, walking, cycling, yoga exercises, and meditation, as we are practicing today. Meditation should aim to bring clarity, such as by concentrating on a candle flame to focus thoughts and feelings and emerge from unclarity. It is like an airplane rising above the clouds, where everything becomes clear, or like driving through fog and suddenly reaching a clear stretch of road. Practicing mantra also helps, as it functions within our body and mind. This is a major problem in many parts of the world. It has been notably observed among people living on riverbanks. For instance, in Europe, cities along the Danube River have high rates of depression and suicide, such as in Hungary. Depression is also significantly influenced by light and darkness. In Australia, you do not have as much darkness as in Europe, where from September or October through April, it is dark, foggy, and cold, with no green leaves in sight. This makes many people sad. The best therapy for them is to use bright lights at home or take holidays to sunny places like Australia. There are many different kinds of depression, and if you have it, you must identify which kind. When experiencing depression, try to pass the time and avoid acting on inner feelings, as this is crucial. In a state of depression, one can become desperate, and accidents can happen. Therefore, one must strive for clarity. It is akin to having drunk a few glasses of whiskey and needing to carefully walk to open the door for a friend or husband without falling. It is easy for those without depression to speak of it, but very difficult for those who have it. This is where prāṇāyāma helps. Bhastrika Prāṇāyāma is particularly beneficial. Do you know what Bhastrika Prāṇāyāma is? With whom do you practice? Not with Gāyatrī? You can ask that lady; she definitely knows. The book Yoga in Daily Life contains many therapeutic advices, including clear techniques for practices like Bhastrika Prāṇāyāma: how to do it, how to breathe, its benefits, and cautions for who should not do it. You will find it in the book; I will not search for it now, but you should have this book.