Clinical depression or spiritual depression or both – from a spiritual perspective

Many people suffer from clinical depression. It is a disability, and no doubt, it requires medical attention and proper treatment. However, they do not realize that it might be spiritual depression (so-called the Dark Night of the Soul) or even both simultaneously. It can be tremendously challenging and demanding.

Indeed, this topic is highly complex, requiring an open heart and mind and thinking “out of the box.” Many authors have approached the phenomenon from different fields and perspectives. Many books, articles, blogs, and videos on social media have been published in this field. But unfortunately, it is still missing the answers to a few questions why is it happening, and to whom is it possibly happening?

Let’s explore this topic from Julia Cannon and her book “Soul speak the language of your body.” The 10^th edition of this book was published in 2020. It guides “how our higher selves deliver messages to us through our physical bodies to keep us on chosen paths of development.” (Julia Cannon, 2020). Specifically for depression, our soul tells us, “You are trying to withdraw or escape.”

Many authors from different niches approached spiritual depression, trying to explain the causes and potential ways to get out of spiritual depression. Eckhart Tolle defined the dark night of the soul as: “It [dark night of the soul] is a term used to describe what one could call a collapse of a perceived meaning in life…an eruption into your life of a deep sense of meaninglessness. The inner state in some cases is very close to what is conventionally called depression. Nothing makes sense anymore, there’s no purpose to anything.” (Eckhart Tolle)

Indeed, you will find very nicely written blogs dedicated to spiritual depression, so-called the Dark Night of the Soul. One of them nicely written is from Brianna Wiest (https://thoughtcatalog.com/brianna-wiest/2017/02/18-signs-youre-going-through-whats-known-as-a-dark-night-of-the-soul/ ). In addition, author Sarah Regan has a nicely written blog related to the Dark Night of the Soul. (Understanding The Dark Night Of The Soul (+ How To Get Through It) – https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/dark-night-of-soul )

Not only spiritualists but psychologists and psychotherapists approached this topic, such as Steve Taylor, Ph.D., the author of several best-selling books on psychology and spirituality, including his new book “Extraordinary Awakenings: When Trauma Leads to Transformation” (Steve Taylor). He stated: “This is when depression arises from an alienation from our own innate spirituality. In my research as a transpersonal psychologist, I have come across many people who had a powerful spiritual experience when they were younger but repressed it because they didn’t understand it. In some cases, this was a near-death experience, when they suddenly found themselves out of their bodies, immersed in light and filled with a sense of euphoria and liberation, and an awareness of an all-pervading love. In other cases, it was a sudden spiritual experience in a time of intense stress or while playing sports or walking in the countryside.”

Kevin Anderson, Ph.D., a psychologist, published a very interesting article, Spirituality and Depression, in the magazine Spirituality and Health. He stated: “I tell depressed people that I have given up on self-esteem and I hope they will too. Focusing on increasing self-esteem amounts to trying to prop up the small-i self.”

Even psychiatrists approach this topic. One of them is Dr. Anna Yusim, M.D., and her book “Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life” published in 2017. Dr. Yusim stated that the dark night of the soul will often involve suffering, setbacks, and obstacles. Nevertheless, she said: “Often, a dark night of the soul is necessary to people’s spiritual evolution” (Anna Yusim, 2017).

Spiritualist and teacher Shannon Kaiser published the book 2022 “Return to You: 11 Spiritual Lessons for Unshakable Inner Peace.” In the book, she stated: “It often happens to guide us to find our purpose in life, pay back or balance karma, and understand deep karmic and spiritual lessons. The dark night the soul is breaking away from the illusions of fear and ego to shift our alignment and values to what is real and true, the connection to the divine, and ultimately pave the way for your life purpose and mission here on Earth.” (Shannon Kaiser, 2022).

Indeed, this topic was approached from different perspectives, including religion, especially Christianity. Even Bible has; generally, Christianity has covered this problem. For example, the “Dark Night of the Soul” idea was coined by Saint John of the Cross, a sixteenth-century Spanish Carmelite monk (1542-1591). He wrote about the “Dark Night of the Soul” when he was imprisoned for eight months for his unconventional religious views. Likewise, St. Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, and St. Augustine were saints who passed the dark night of the soul. However, the idea of spiritual depression is a part of many different spiritual traditions and religions, including Buddhism.

Many spiritualists have approached the dark night of the soul – spiritual depression, even though they call it the 4^th initiation of the soul. One of them is Alice A. Bailey, who left many written data regarding this topic, but one particular is “The Rays and the Initiations.” The Dark Night of the Soul can be particularly dramatic.

Therefore, using cross-referenced literature to try and gain a better understanding, such as; the teachings of Tibetan channeled by Alice Bailey, William Meader’s “Shine Forth: The Soul’s Magical Destiny” (2004), William Meader’s new book “Supernal Light: A Compendium of Esoteric Thought” (2022), Michael Newton’s “Destiny of Souls” (2017), and various texts about Kundalini, would be an excellent approach.

But unfortunately, many sources could not define the causes of the spiritual depression (so-called the Dark Night of the Soul). Why is it happening? Are we missing something? Is there any explanation?

These questions are bringing us to a higher level of spirituality. Firstly, each soul passes through the levels of development (so-called initiations). According to many spiritualists, the 4^th initiation (the dark night of the soul) of the soul is predominantly presented to old souls. Being the old soul represents the final stage in the reincarnation (if you believe in this particular term) journey of five soul ages. There is nothing wrong or good with being the old soul. Therefore, “the old soul often conveys a feeling of looking back at what has been accomplished and embracing the whole of life. The old soul has expanded its self-awareness to a level where the drama and materialistic pursuits in the world may no longer interest you, not at all. The 9-5 grind (as a working time) is a “prison sentence.” The old soul instead creates employment, a job, and a career that reflects personal values and the freedom to explore life with less abeyance to punching in a time clock. Old souls do not possess a burning desire to impact the world significantly; all old souls did that long ago. They are tired of playing the material game. For that reason alone, old souls are often deemed eccentrics by the rest of society, the community, and in some cases, even their families.” (https://www.michaelteachings.com/old_soul.html)

Philosophical and prone to teach by examples and their experiences, the old soul provides wise advice to younger souls needing wisdom and guidance. Although generally, they are relaxed and unruffled by the drama of life, old souls demonstrate how to be free of society’s programming and live more squarely in the present time, now, today.

The old souls both embrace and reject life simultaneously

Although they pull away from the trappings and problems of the world and life on the planet Earth, they may experience abandonment that can leave them feeling utterly alone. Of course, such choices are not always intentional. Still, their strong desire for self-reflection and solitude can remove them from the daily doings of the world, and the old soul is more interested in being rather than doing.

The fourth initiation of the soul is called the Arhat. It is to be one who does not need to be incarnated again to develop a high level of spirituality. In the fourth initiation, the level of consciousness has risen to the atmic plane. The fourth initiation is complete surrender to the will of God, the Divine, and the monad. Arhat is a master of wisdom and compassion. An individual reaching the fourth initiation is the perfected one, an Arhat (in Pali) or a Paramahamsa (in Sanskrit). At this level, in Buddhism, it is believed that one can remember all of past lives. One also has various minor siddhis such as fulfilments or accomplishments, paranormal, supernatural, some magical abilities, etc., which can affect the immediate environment. The fourth initiation could be designated as the “crucifixion initiation.” An Arhat does not need to be incarnated to develop spiritually. According to Benjamin Creme, there are 450 people at this level of initiation (as of 1986)(Crème B., 1986). In the Buddhist tradition, Fourth Initiation is referred to as Arhat.

Importantly, having reached the fifth initiation, a soul does not necessarily have to appropriately enter Earth’s spiritual hierarchy as one of the “Masters of the Ancient Wisdom.” Instead, one has seven paths forward to higher levels that one can choose to go on, only one of which is to become a “Master of the Ancient Wisdom” (Gardner E.L., 1936).

I know; it is a painful, dreadful, terrible experience. There are many people who, in this life, pass the fourth initiation of the soul. It requires letting go of all attachments to the material world. This means letting go of one’s attachments to fame, fortune, money, power, selfishness, people, family, ego, and reputation. Everything is stripped away to “the bones.” As I mentioned, it is a painful, dreadful, and challenging experience. The form of deep, severe depression prevails.

Many people passed the fourth initiation of the soul in their past lives, such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Edith Piaf, Mileva Maric Einstein, Frank Zappa, and many others. But unfortunately, their souls incarnated into the body with severe disabilities, having challenging lives, and suffering from severe depression, spiritual depression, or both. They passed the fourth initiation of the soul.

If you feel depressed, ask for help from your family and friends, and finding an integrative psychiatrist would be the first step. Additionally, spiritual consultation would be an excellent adjunct and addition to the process of healing. Both sides can help you tremendously.

In the next blog, we will explain the phases of spiritual depression, the dark night of the soul, and the possibilities of how clinical depression could interact with spiritual depression. Many factors need to be clearly explained with some case studies or case series. Finally, we will provide you with some practical spiritual “tools” how detect spiritual depression, the dark night of the soul, and the fourth initiation of the soul.

Respectfully,

Holistic Healthful

References:

Julia Cannon. Soul speak the language of your body. Ozark Mountain Publishing, Huntsville, AR, ISBN: 978-1-886940-35-2.

Eckhart on the Dark Night of the Soul

18 Signs You’re Experiencing A Dark Night Of The Soul, Otherwise Known As an Existential Crisis

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/dark-night-of-soul

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-the-darkness/202008/spiritual-depression

https://www.spiritualityhealth.com/articles/2019/07/03/spirituality-and-depression

Anna Yusim, 2017. Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life, Grand Central Life and Style, New York, NY, ISBN: 978-1-4555-9679-9.

Shannon Kaiser, 2022. Return to You: 11 Spiritual Lessons for Unshakable Inner Peace, Sounds True, Boulder, CO

Dark Night of the Soul

Alice A. Bailey,1960. The rays and the initiations, volume V, The treatise of the seven rays. Lucis Publishing Company, New York

Creme, Benjamin Maitreya’s Mission Amsterdam:1986 Share International Foundation Page 195

https://www.michaelteachings.com/old_soul.html

Gardner, E.L. The Web of the Universe London:1936 Theosophical Publishing House “The Seven Choices Before the Perfect Man” Page 97