BAD DAY. Remind me what to do please?

[James the Giant]

I'm having a very shitty day. Emotionally blue - tending to black. Feeling horribly down, wishing for cessation, but I know that this is impermanent, I'll be okay tomorrow or the next day.
On the upside, I'm aware of it. A couple of years ago I wouldn't have been aware, so the dhamma has given me that so far. Awareness at least.

But in the meantime, can someone remind me of what I'm supposed to do/focus on/be aware of/approach/etc, to make good use of this suffering.
I guess be aware of it... try to be aware of anicca, duhkka, anatta, in the experiences, in the negative thoughts, sad/angry emotions, aching, tired sensations, etc, a la the Satipatthana Sutta.

I'm sure I know or knew the answer to this one, but in the middle of this emotional turmoil I can't quite remember.

Thanks.

[Mr. G]

metta meditation, and watching this:

[lojong1]

This has been going around for about a week. Forgive my first thought: walking medication through a cemetery, then an emergency ward, then a psych ward.
Psych patients are usually really friendly and helpful.
And FUNNY!

[Vepacitta]

If you need relief and comfort - remember "this too shall pass". Same as all sabbe sankhara anicca -all fabrications - mental formations- are impermanent - they eventually cease.

If you can - and maybe you just can't - things might be too 'heavy' - I understand - try watching your thoughts - your mental formations - look at their beginning - watch the thought - see how long you can hold it until it just goes - it's not 'you' - it can't be held onto forever - watch the mind grasp it - notice when you 'forget' - there will be 'bubbles' of space between the obsessive thoughts.

Hoping tomorrow or the next day is a whole lot better,

V.

[Goofaholix]

I'm having a very shitty day.

I'm having a very shitty day is a story, it's a story the mind has created about it's experience.

The truth is that shittiness happens... it doesn't happen to me because there is no me for it to happen to.

Relax, enjoy it, and learn from it, life would be boring if it were always bliss.

[Ben]

I'm having a very shitty day.

Mate, what can I say? Dukkha sucks!

The instructions you have been given should see you through.
While our practice involves the observation of all sensations with equanimity, as you progress, you will be able to turn the same objective awareness towards all phenomena. You will also note that emotions that arise in the mind are actually compound-phenomena consisting of cittas, thoughts, vedanas and kaya (heart-rate and breathing fluctuations as an example). When you see them like this, it is easier to disengage from them and observe them equanimously. If you can't, don't worry about it. Vedanas co-arise with the vast majority of cittas, so observing vedanas - one is also indirectly observing mind.

Just accept the present reality "as it is"
-- SN Goenka

If you find yourself so upset that you can't get it together to practice vedananupassana, go back to anapana. If its really bad and anapana isn't possible, try recollecting the qualities of the triple gem.
One last thing...
Don't forget your dhamma-friends. They're here to help and support you!
Metta

Ben

[alan]

Have a glass of wine and go to bed early. You'll feel better in the morning.

[bodom]

Have a glass of wine and go to bed early. You'll feel better in the morning.

Well hopefully he's not an active or recovering alcoholic, otherwise tomorrow may not be much better!

Hope you feel better James!

[samadhi_seeker]

Hey you are not alone!! I seem to be having a bad day too. Unsure what brings it on but a dissatisfaction with my current life usually does it. I can recognise that I am in this mood but struggle to work out how to get out of it. Hard to live in the present when the present isnt presenting itself well.

Good luck - peace!!

[James the Giant]

Thanks for the suggestions and reminders of what I already knew, folks. It's good to have other people who can remind me of what the path is, when I've temporarily been blinded to it.
Went and meditated an hour. Even in the midst of the inner turmoil I could still concentrate well, and so spent a good hour doing vipassana.

[Ben]

Well done, James!

[Annapurna]

I know when I feel really shitty, I am suddenly thinking of the Black Dahlia or of Sharon Tate. .

Both women were murdered in especially horrible, heartbreaking ways.

Visiting their websites makes me feel humble.

If I get my shit back together this way, then I begin to think of loved ones who have a greater plight than me these days.

Those thoughts usually shame me.

And then...I begin to thank for what I can thank for.

I then usually arrive at what I am taking for granted:

Legs to walk with, eyes to see with, a mouth to eat with....this is not self-understood....some people are without...and -

I hope that helps, James.

It works for me. To increase my acceptance.

And I know all those states I am thanking for are impermanent too.

Good wishes for you.

A

[PeterB]

I'm having a very shitty day. Emotionally blue - tending to black. Feeling horribly down, wishing for cessation, but I know that this is impermanent, I'll be okay tomorrow or the next day.
On the upside, I'm aware of it. A couple of years ago I wouldn't have been aware, so the dhamma has given me that so far. Awareness at least.

But in the meantime, can someone remind me of what I'm supposed to do/focus on/be aware of/approach/etc, to make good use of this suffering.
I guess be aware of it... try to be aware of anicca, duhkka, anatta, in the experiences, in the negative thoughts, sad/angry emotions, aching, tired sensations, etc, a la the Satipatthana Sutta.

I'm sure I know or knew the answer to this one, but in the middle of this emotional turmoil I can't quite remember.

Thanks.

My advice is clear counter to the prevailing wisdom of the day but is not said with anything with good will in mind.
If you need help get it. But if it is just a difficult time it will pass. In the meantime keep it to yourself. There is nothing to be gained from sharing it. Just keep on keeping on with a stiff upper lip.

[Annapurna]

Thanks for the suggestions and reminders of what I already knew, folks. It's good to have other people who can remind me of what the path is, when I've temporarily been blinded to it.
Went and meditated an hour. Even in the midst of the inner turmoil I could still concentrate well, and so spent a good hour doing vipassana.

I once read a sentence that i found to be true:

A friend is someone who knows the melody of your heart and sings it to you (mean) when you've forgotten it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBDF04fQKtQ

hope all is well soon.

I marked red what I edited.

[m0rl0ck]

[Annapurna]

Poor kitty!

[Digger]

Nothing specific set off this down feeling? For example, no upsetting event, etc? How often does this happen to you?

Anyone have experience with Buddhism vs clinical depression? If this is some type of clinical depression, is it still possible (althought even more difficult) to control your mind /thoughts?