(1) I have no intention of criticising or contradicting either the respected Bhante, nor his teachings, posted in the thread. My intention is categorically not to cause dissent or argument.
(2) I have no psychiatric or psychological qualifications of any kind, and do not claim to be educated on the subject of mental afflictions at all.
In his thread "Dhamma Drops from Ceylon" , Our esteemed and respected contributor, Bhikku Samahita added his latest post, titled "The Higher Release" In which the following question is asked (accompanied by a link):
"How to cure depression?"
If one follows that link, one is led to a video, the title of which, is "Metta Meditation Cures depression."
My personal concern is as follows:
Should such a claim be made?
While I completely agree, and can attest to the fact that occasional and temporary stated of depression can certainly be dealt with in this way, is this a justifiable claim to make, for a person who has a chronic and prolonged condition, and is under medical supervision and care?
Certainly, Meditation is an amazing 'tool' and is extremely effective in assisting such an affliction, but can it actually CURE it?
I am genuinely asking, because it seems to me, that possibly, to the the impressionable and desperate sufferer of deep clinical depression, this lifeline may not be as immediately beneficial as they would hope...and if someone stops taking their medication, or alters and/or reduces the dosage (and it does happen, far more frequently than one might think!) would the Metta meditation be as effective, or be effective at all, in that circumstance?
A fellow member, (No_Mind) posted this interesting comment in this thread (I have only reproduced the pertinent point, here):
If living like a Monk within an urban environment, may actually CAUSE a mental affliction,could this be a contradiction?No_Mind wrote: ....So no it is not possible to be an urban monk except in short spells of a month. Maybe a rare person here and there can. But over long time such a reclusive life while living amidst few million people will cause mental problems unless the person had schizoid, loner tendencies to begin with and was in some way mentally abnormal.
If one is living like a Monk, that would involve prolonged periods of Meditation - which if one is to take The Bhante's comments as true, would not cause an affliction, but prevent it?
I would be very interested in any thoughts or comments.