Depression & Mindfulness
The pain of depression is emotional, mental, and physical, all-consuming in its demand for our attention and energy. It’s hard to live life fully when bent under its crushing weight.
Henri Nouwen, a Catholic priest, spoke openly about his experience of chronic depression, and how he worked painstakingly toward joy through his life. He knew that the key to happiness was found in small moments and little shifts, rather than in a miracle cure. Much of his insight falls into what we call mindfulness.
Mindfulness is defined as the practice of intentional and nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment, having our experience directly rather than through the filter of thought, interpretation, or analysis.
Mindfulness is a psychological concept that has been found to be helpful in recovering from depression, and is incorporated into depression therapy by many counselors.
While it can be attached to any religious framework or to none, Nouwen’s application of mindfulness principles was grounded in his understanding of being loved by God.
As an example of Nouwen’s use of mindfulness principles, here is an excerpt from his book, Creative Ministry, showing his incorporation of present-moment awareness into the experience of “celebration” (emphasis added):
“Celebrating is first of all the full affirmation of our present condition. We say with full consciousness: we are, we are here, we are now, and let it be that way. We can only really celebrate when we are present in the present. If anything has become clear, it is that we have to a large extent lost the capability to live in the present. Many so-called celebrations are not much more than a painful moment between bothersome preparations and boring after-talks. We can only celebrate if there is something present that can be celebrated. We cannot elebrate Christmas when there is nothing born here and now; we cannot celebrate Easter when no new life becomes visible; we cannot celebrate Pentecost when there is no Spirit whatsoever to celebrate. Celebration is the recognition that something is there and needs to be made visible so that we can all say yes to it.” - Henri Nouwen, Creative Ministry (1971)
If we take “celebrating” as a case study for depression and mindfulness, we can see how often we become lost in our heads during celebrations (whether holidays, birthdays, or vacations) without slowing down to truly experience what is happening or what we are celebrating. Maybe you’ve found yourself lost in painful thoughts like these during a celebration:
This isn’t going well.
They’re judging me.
I can’t wait until this is over.
I’m supposed to be happy - why can’t I enjoy this more?
In the midst of a celebration, we can easily forget to bring our full attention to the what is happening in the moment:
the expressions on others’ faces
the particular sounds reaching our ears
the colors and shapes available through our sense of vision
the sensations in our bodies
the nuances of our own emotion from moment to moment
God in the space
This disconnection between our attention and our physical experience can become deeply uncomfortable, and it fuels depressed feelings. At its more intense end, the disconnection can become derealization or even dissociation, both very uncomfortable mental states of disconnection from reality.
If you’re seeking relief from depression, here are some specific steps that can help, reflective of the mindfulness-based wisdom that Henri Nouwen cultivated through his own experience of mental anguish:
Notice any internal pressure to skip through and past a moment, to get it over with. Take a breath and settle in instead. Be curious about what is happening right now.
Practice being nonjudgmental toward yourself and others, whatever is happening. Gently smile at the reality of the moment, whether pleasant or unpleasant. See if you can playfully reduce your internal intensity a few notches.
Cry when you need to, without apology. There’s no shame in tears or grief, and no need for explanation.
Look up and around to take in the fullness of the moment. Be extra open to anything in the natural world, as God has woven healing through the fabric of the universe.
Practice formal mindfulness meditation, using free mindfulness guides such as those available through www.themindfulchristian.com.
Practicing the present-moment awareness of mindfulness is one effective way to soften painful emotions, but pairing that with Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) or other evidence-based approaches to depression therapy can also be important when the pain is unrelenting or intense. If you’re looking for effective support on your own emotional journey, check out therapy for depression through Dwell Psychological Services. With options both in-person (in Grand Rapids, MI) and online (in 43 PsyPact states), there is a path forward to healing and wholeness.
Therapy for Depression
At Dwell Psychological Services, I provide mindfulness-based depression therapy for teens and adults (in-person in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and online across all PsyPact states), with the option to integrate Christian faith as desired.
You can feel better.
If you’re ready to take the next step, you can schedule directly through the secure Client Portal or reach out with any questions using the button below. I’d be honored to walk with you.
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