If someone told me that I could live my life again free of depression provided I was willing to give up the gifts depression has given me--the depth of awareness, the expanded consciousness, the increased sensitivity, the awareness of limitation, the tenderness of love, the meaning of friendship, the apreciation of life, the joy of a passionate heart-- I would say, 'This is a Faustian bargain! Give me my depressions. Let the darkness descend. But do not take away the gifts that depression, with the help of some unseen hand, has dredged up from the deep ocean of my soul and strewn along the shores of my life. I can endure darkness if I must; but I cannot lie without these gifts. I cannot live without my soul.' (p. 188) . David Elkins
About This Quote

Despite what you may have heard, depression is not a disease. And, if it were, it would not be curable. It is an internal state of mind that can be managed with medication, but it does not disappear. And, if it were ordinary depression, the condition would no longer exist because the toll of taking antidepressants would become unbearable.

But, there are spiritual benefits to depression—benefits that are too important to ignore. What you're about to read here is true: Depression can be a very powerful spiritual teacher. It's not easy to admit this to yourself, but if you're facing depression, you might want to consider it.

Source: Beyond Religion: A Personal Program For Building A Spiritual Life Outside The Walls Of Traditional Religion

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