My late father used to say that he was "never depressed."

Frankly, this was quite a challenge to the rest of the family since we all had to admit to times when we faced feelings of inner sadness which didn't seem to have any specific explanations.  Dad seemed to suggest that avoiding depression was a simple conscious act.  "You just had to have enough presence of mind to not to feel that way."

It was only towards the end of his life when he suffered from a minor stroke that he finally could join the rest of us and realize that it takes more than a simple act of will to stop feeling blue.

One thing for sure, there are studies which show the incredible high percentage of Americans who suffer from depression.  One of my nieces, who is an internist, readily talked about how more than half of her patients combine depression with any of a host of other symptoms.

Allow me then, to share some thoughts on the subject from the "spiritual" perspective.

On a little reflection, the observation "Depression is anger turned inward," seems to be quite true.  As adults we realize that society can't tolerate our expressions of frustration whenever we're frustrated by the complexities of life.  Imagine the total chaos if everyone felt free to display all their feelings whenever and wherever they chose.  To this effect we have special places for those unable to control their emotions.  Most of us simply "control" ourselves and keep our true inner feelings secret.

At the same time every one one of us has these feelings and they have to express themselves in some way.  Get enough of them and a person may well find themselves depressed.

So what might make us angry in this general sort of way?

Actually there are a few fundamental causes that come to mind!

Just to give some examples

• Loneliness -  How many us long to be able to know that we have the attention -whenever we need it - of someone else who cares deeply about us?  Someone who shares our interests and concerns and has the time to be sincerely interested in us.

• Control - better yet, "Lack of Control!" - We all have our dreams and desires.  As we look back at our lives, how many of those dreams had to be shelved? - many on the altar of Responsibility.  Or how many times did we have to "give in" or "compromise" in the interests of Peace - and even in the face of dearly held convictions?  How painful it is "not to get our way!"

• Mortality - As we get older we inevitably begin to see our physical and mental (Eg. short-term memory) powers wane.  Friends and relatives die and we cannot deny the ultimate future we, ourselves, face... and - though sensible diet and exercise may help put off the inevitable - it's ultimately not under our control!

We're fascinated with celebrities.  In some way or another they appear to actually live out our dreams.  Perhaps one reason for this is that they appear to escape these very issues.  Of course a quick examination of the facts about their lives would show us the extreme opposite in so many cases.  But on the surface their lives appear so glamorous.

If there is anything that connects the items listed (and I suspect a bunch of others which we might add), they all point to a personal feeling of the individual's lack of significance.  "If I fell off the edge of a cliff, would anyone even notice - let alone care?" ("Father MacKenzie, writing the words of a sermon that no-one will hear - no-one comes near..." Eleanor Rigby; The Beatles )

And this, my dear friend, is exactly what a person's religion is supposed to deal with.  Any religion worth its salt has to attempt to answer the fundamental question: "Why  (i.e. to what purpose) was I born?"

Believing in a God of the Universe is making the assumption that this world was "created" by an intelligent Being; since the Universe is created with intelligence there is a reason for everything that is, was and will be in it.  Ironically enough, one important reason for humans being created in the first place is that they they have the intelligence to discover what that purpose is. (Something that can change from religion to religion). 

Discovering purpose doesn't "just happen," any more than losing weight or becoming proficient at anything - it takes a conscious effort over the course of a lifetime.  ("The unexamined life isn't worth living." Socrates)  Given the fundamental importance of the subject it's a good idea to benefit from the thoughts and experiences of previous generations.

It also takes a "concerted" effort... in other words one which is ongoing; on a daily basis.  And one little secret to success in this effort is... (Can you guess?) 

                                                                              שׁלום