Sacred Sorrows: Embracing and Transforming Depression (New Consciousness Reader)
Drs. Nelson and Nelson have gathered together a highly readable collection of essays, some previously published and some original, to help the sufferer of depression and the healer to better understand themselves, each other and the condition itself. Through compelling case histories and scientific research, contributors such as Thomas Moore and Steven Levine show how depression can ultimately give those affected more than it takes away because transformation comes with extreme suffering, arguing that humanity may be able to see as much from the bottom as from the top. These 25 articulate experts make an impassioned plea to change our view of depression solely as an illness to be cured, because pathologizing depression inhibits any transcendent powers. All emotions are valuable and necessary, they say, not just the ones that feel good. Three sections comprise the anthology: Part I relates personal stories, including those of William Styron, Bruno Bettelheim and Martha Manning, to illustrate the devastating effects of depression. Part II explores varying theories about the origins of depression and sheds light on therapeutic techniques-psychotherapy, Prozac, body work, behaviorism and others. Part III introduces techniques involving chaos theory, LSD and Buddhism and uses them to show how depression can be a pathway to spiritual growth. The thread that binds this anthology together is one of hope, because it says that because depression provokes hard questions, it is also the instrument of spiritual transformation.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.