How to Get Unstuck from Depression

HOW TO GET UNSTUCK
FROM DEPRESSION

Ask Maddisen

Courtesy of Maddisen K. Krown

Dear Maddisen:
I'm a healthy and productive person, and am happy with my life overall. But when I get into dark or unhappy moods, I sometimes feel paralyzed, stuck. Then I get mad at myself for getting stuck. And then it gets worse! Do you have any advice for how I can move through the natural dark times without feeling so stuck and self critical? With much appreciation, NS

Dear NS.
First, I've got to tell you how refreshing it is to hear you acknowledge the natural dark times. We live in a culture that tends to propagate the unnatural perception that we should be spouting in joyful exuberance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - so trust me, NS, when I say you've already taken a big step into the natural movement and mobility you seek merely by your acknowledgment. My intention is to share a theory about the natural cycle of our human nature and to provide a few tips for getting unstuck from the natural dark times.

What is the natural cycle of our human nature, our psyches? If we study ancient traditions including those of the Native American Indians and the East Indian Buddhists, and the more recent teachings of psychoanalyst C.G. Jung and Dr. Steven Foster & Meredith Little of the School of Lost Borders, we find a common theme related to a psychological paradigm referred to as the four shields, or four directions (south, west, north, and east), or four seasons (summer, fall, winter, spring). This is also related to the wheel of life.

For example, when our psyches are in the south, or what I call the "I Need" state, we are more like children, expressive, spontaneous, playful, reactive, with our attention on what satisfies our immediate needs and cravings. When we are in the west, what I call the "I Feel" state, we may feel more like an adolescent passing through the dark lands of self-consciousness, isolation, loneliness, boredom, and we want to go our own way, but feel exposed to the indifferent forces of nature. It can feel unbearable here, but this place is often where we unbury our greatest gifts. In the north, the "I Want" state, we are like the adult, focused on survival, self control, self reliance, hard work, sacrifice, and immersed in mental processes. And in the east, the "I Am" state, we experience the wisdom and reward of experience from our trip around the wheel of life, and the birth of new life, new hope, and a shift in perspective toward the Light, or what some call Spirit. And then we move naturally to the south again, and go around and around and...

Have you noticed this cycle in your own life? Can you see any examples of how you have moved in and out of these states throughout a day, a week, and hour, etc? Do you sense that you tend to exaggerate one or more of the directions? For example, a person who is a workaholic and who doesn't make time for fun or play might be described as exaggerated in the north and undernourished in the south. Just becoming aware of this could help this person take steps to create more balance and satisfaction in these areas. Even entire cultures, generations, or groups can appear to be exaggerated and undernourished in certain directions.

Please keep in mind; this is a simplified and somewhat generalized description of the psychological paradigm. However, I'm sharing it with you to demonstrate the dynamic nature of our psyches, and how very natural it is for us as humans to experience and move through a rich and wide array of emotions ranging from dark to light.

We tend to cycle naturally and unconsciously through these states. However, where many of us often get "stuck" is in the west, the place of depression or other forms of unhappiness, and there are a few simple methods I'll share to help you get unstuck, so that you can continue your natural journey on the wheel of life. Of course, the best way to move out of the west place is to move into the north and do - take action, walk the dog, go to work, engage in service work, etc. But if even that's not working and you still feel stuck or paralyzed, carry out one or both of the following simple processes to help get you moving again.

Article copyright 2009 Maddisen K Krown

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