Can Monks Suffer from Depression? How They Navigate Through It

Introduction to the Monastic Life and Their Emotional Challenges

Until full enlightenment, which is said to take countless lifetimes, we all remain at least partially ignorant. This includes being susceptible to negative emotions, as they can sway our minds. Monks, like everyone else, can experience negative emotions, and in particular, depression. However, their spiritual practices and unique coping mechanisms might help them recover more quickly.

Depression is a pervasive issue in the human experience, but within the monastic community, it is often discussed in the context of the ongoing journey towards wisdom and enlightenment. While monks undergo rigorous spiritual training, they still face challenges that are common to all people, including the pressures and emotional struggles that come with daily life.

Understanding Depression and Monks

Emotional Well-being and Negative Emotions
Monks are trained to heighten their awareness and to remain present in the moment. When faced with unpleasant emotions, specifically negative emotions, they do not fight them, but instead accept them as part of the natural experience. They are taught to not resist their emotions, but to remain rooted in the present and to allow the emotions to pass. This practice, often referred to as mindfulness, involves acknowledging the emotion without attaching a narrative to it, allowing it to naturally move through them.

Alice in Wonderland
Imagine the difference between a child who reacts with wailing and sobs after an inoculation and an adult who doesn't even blink an eye. The adult remains relaxed about the situation because they have learned to not resist or make a big deal out of what initially seems like a significant negative experience. Similarly, monks are trained to perceive and handle negative emotions with a calm and accepting mindset.

Stages of Monastic Life and Depression Levels

Monks' depression levels can vary depending on their stage of monastic life. A study has found that monks in their first year tend to report higher levels of depression compared to their fourth, fifth, and sixth years. The significance of this finding, as indicated by the Games-Howell tests, is that monks in their first year were 1,000 times more likely to experience higher levels of depression when compared to monks in later stages of their monastic life.

It is important to note that depression in monks is not a sign of a failing in their spiritual or mental training. Instead, it is a normal part of the journey. The monks who have been in the community for four or more years have developed more effective coping mechanisms, which help them navigate through difficult periods more successfully.

Challenges and Coping Mechanisms

The Hard Work of Mindfulness
Buddhism emphasizes how we relate and respond to the challenges we face. However, integrating these spiritual practices into daily life is not an easy task. It is a slow and deliberate process, and it requires constant effort and self-reflection. Until full enlightenment, all beings, including monks, remain ignorant

Rational Distancing
Monks and laypeople alike can benefit from the principle that it is the reactions to events rather than the events themselves that cause suffering. This concept, articulated by the Buddhist teacher Pema Ch?dr?n, underscores the importance of rational distancing. By accepting and acknowledging emotions without getting caught up in their intensity, one can achieve a state of calm and clarity.

Blending in with Laypeople
Some people might assume that monks, being part of a monastic community, are more enlightened and thus less susceptible to depression. However, monks are human beings, and while their training and lifestyle can provide valuable coping mechanisms, it does not make them immune to emotional struggles. Monks are working harder than many of us to address and overcome their challenges, and as such, while they may have some advantages, they are also vulnerable to the same emotional issues as laypeople.

Conclusion

Monks, like everyone else, can experience depression as part of their emotional journey towards enlightenment. However, their spiritual practices and training in mindfulness provide them with effective coping mechanisms that can help them navigate through these challenges more effectively. The emotional struggles they face are not a sign of failure but a natural part of the journey. Understanding this can help us appreciate and respect the resilience and adaptability of both monks and other individuals facing similar struggles.

Keywords: monks, depression, Buddhism, coping mechanisms, spiritual practices