The TAO and NO DEPRESSION

 

The TAO and NO DEPRESSION

Depression is not a new human disease or disorder; it is as ancient as history.

So, how do you get rid of your depression?

The TAO can help you with your depression.

Well, what is the TAO?

The TAO, also known as The Way or the TAO wisdom, is the ancient human wisdom more than 2,600 years ago from the ancient Chinese classic Tao Te Ching, the only book written by the Chinese sage Lao Tzu, who was born with white hair--a sign of old age and wisdom.

What are the essentials of the TAO?

1. An empty mind: You must have no-preconditioned mindset that you must do this and do that in order to become happy and not depressed.

2. Simplicity in living: Life is complex, and contemporary living is complicated with its many emotional and material clutters and attachments. Simplicity in living makes you see your "needs" and not your "wants."

3. Mindfulness: Your clarity of thinking comes from your mindfulness, which is your total awareness of what is happening to your mind and to your body, as well as to the people around you.

 

4. Living in the present: Only the present is real--the past was gone, and the future is yet to come. That awakens you to the "realities" of all things happening in your life. 

5. The natural cycle: All things follow a natural cycle--what goes up must also come down. Spontaneity is the natural cycle of all things, and so there is no reason to become depressed because nothing, whether it is good or bad, is permanent.

6. Balance and harmony: The TAO maintains your internal balance and harmony to have no depression.

The TAO Actions to Heal Depression

1. NO NEGATIVE and NO POSITIVE EMOTIONS

All negative or even positive emotions, in excess, may lead to depression. For example, if people over-praise you, your ego may become inflated; and you may then subconsciously develop fear—fear of not getting more praise, or fear of not living up to the praise. Conversely, if people criticize you, you may also develop distress to overcome the disgrace from the criticism.

2. NO JUDGMENT and NO SEPARATION

According to the TAO, do not judge others, and do not separate yourself from others. You are connected to others because, like others,  you are a part of the universe, originating from the same source, which is nothingness, and into that nothingness you will return.

An illustration

Jenifer Bricker was an infant born without legs. Her parents abandoned her at the hospital.

But Sharon and Gerald Bricker adopted her into their family with their three sons. Despite her physical disability, Jennifer's childhood was absolutely wonderful. Her adoptive parents were the best parents she could have asked for. 

 

At the age of 10 Jennifer Bricker took part in the Junior Olympics and began her acrobat and aerialist career. Interestingly and surprisingly, Jennifer Bricker always focused her attention on the Olympian gymnast Dominique Moceanu, who won her gold medal as a minor in 1996. 

Dominique Moceanu then became Jennifer Bricker’s idol. They began to know each other and became good friends. Dominique Moceanu once said: "I never imagined she would do all of these sports without having legs.

"

Surprisingly, Jennifer Bricker found out that Dominique Moceanu was actually her sister, and that her own biological parents were Dumitru and Camilia Moceanu. Finally, they became reunited, but Jennifer Bricker was unable to see Dumitru who passed away before the family reunion.

3. No CHOOSING and NO PICKING

  

Following the natural cycle of all things, you do not need to choose and to pick. Choosing and picking is only a sickness of the mind: the futility in striving to control what is essentially uncontrollable. 

Choosing and picking is synonymous with control of self, of others, and of everything around, which is against the basic laws of nature.

No picking and no choosing essentially means accepting and embracing anything and everything happening in life.

An illustration

On Nov 12, 2017, Rob Jones, a marine who lost both his legs, was running 31 marathons in 31 days to raise money for wounded veterans. 

Rob Jones, who lost his legs in 2010 in an explosion while serving overseas in Afghanistan, was traveling the country to raise money for wounded veteran charities. Despite the traumatic adversity that he had gone through, he hoped his new life journey would be an inspiration to other veterans. “Being a person that has successfully gone to Afghanistan and Iraq, had a traumatic experience, and now reintegrated into society, I am an example and want to show I've succeeded being a wounded but not a broken veteran.” Not being “broken” is a rite of passage to a new meaning of life for Jones.

4. NO EXPECTATION and NO OVER-DOING

The TAO emphasizes “wu-wei” (無為): “Wu” (無) literally means “no” and “wei” (為) means “doing.” Due to the literal translation of the original text, “wuwei” is sometimes misinterpreted as “non-doing,” and even regarded as a “passive” way of looking at life by Lao Tzu. “No over-doing” is a more appropriate translation of “wu-wei.” 

An illustration

Lance Armstrong, the once-celebrated-but-now-disgraced cyclist, had won seven consecutive "Tour de France" titles and the Olympic bronze medal. Armstrong’s initial success in his cycling career led to his craving for more success in the future, and resulted in his overdoing and wrongdoing—using performance-enhancement drugs to win all his subsequent races. Unfortunately, that led to his ultimate downfall—he was stripped of all his previously winning titles. 

Lance Armstrong illustrates the TAO’s “more for less.”

5. NO PRIDE and NO EGO

If TAO wisdom could be summarized in one word, it is the word "humility." 

   

Humility is the enemy of the ego, while pride is its best friend. With humility, you see who you really are, and not who you think or wish you were. With humility, you become harmonious with the Creator, who provides you with the profound wisdom to live in this material world. Harmony is an achievement, not a free gift from the Creator. 

 

Stephen Lau

Author of DEPRESSION NO DEPRESSION

Author of THE COMPLETE "TAO TE CHING" IN PLAIN ENGLISH