While western science often attributes depression to chemical imbalances in the brain, genetic factors, hormonal disturbances, stressful life events, medications and other medical problems. or even perhaps a combination of all these factors, as of yet no clear, complete clinical conclusion has been made.  

What we do know and those that suffer depression know very well is that this disorder interferes with the ability to live, to work, to study or to enjoy any aspects of life. It takes away what every one of us strives so hard to achieve in life and that is happiness.   

The alarming increasing rates of depression especially in the Western world indicate that the scientific community is failing in its attempts to find lasting solutions to this mass epidemic. Depression, along with anxiety is now already the most common mental health disorder in modern society.   

Let’s take a look at what 2500 years of Buddhist science has to say about the cause of depression as it differs quite dramatically from the views of modern Western psychology. 

According to Buddhist science, depression has its roots in an underlying selfish and egotistical mind. First of all, let me be clear. This is not an attempt to insult or blame anyone here who does suffer from depression, as according to Buddhist philosophy, a selfish and egotistical mind is the root of not just depression but all problems and all the suffering that we experience stems from this cause.  

Buddhist science teaches that our true human nature is compassion and loving kindness. This is like our default mode that each one of us possesses as our inner core but accessing this is easier said than done. Our survival instinct has taught us that we have to look out for number one.  Our society encourages us that in order to be successful and happy, we need to be competitive, be better than others, possess more material wealth and achieve more than others.  

According to Buddhist science, this is only a delusion.  

When we veer off the road, or deviate from the mean or middle way in Buddhist terms, toward the extremes, we inevitably suffer.  When our ego drives selfish behaviour we deviate from our nature, which is based on compassion and kindness. It is no surprise that the more selfish and egotistical we become the more we lean towards extremes from our natural behaviour.  

Studies have shown that people who are more self-absorbed, and refer to themselves more (I, me, myself) have more health problems, and earlier deaths. This tends to support the Buddhist viewpoint that we are deluding ourselves when we focus only on self-interests and exclude others.  A common comparison used in Buddhist philosophy is that we are only waves in an ocean, we rise and fall but our underlying common link or essence is that we are connected and one like an ocean.  

According to Buddhist science, selfishness causes depression because it prevents us from doing the one thing that is guaranteed to bring happiness – helping others. Self-obsession lessens our ability to be considerate for the needs of others, lessens our ability to give love. We become blinded to the needs of our family and friends and do nothing to help them. The joy of self-indulgence is not pure and does not bring satisfaction, only suffering, while the joy of making others happy is pure and brings lasting happiness. If we cut ourselves off from this world, we veer off the road, into unhappiness, self-doubt, a world of unbalance and depression.  

The trap of depression is a mind state of self-centredness, a deluded focus on… my depression, my problems, my past, my ego.  It is a difficult trap to escape. Being in this state is like a dream, where we cannot wake up. Once we can see that it is possible and that there is a way out, then all that is needed is intention and some effort to begin.   

It is also not a surprise that the antidote to this behaviour is cultivating compassion and kindness.  We also need to respect, forgive and have compassion not only for others, but for ourselves as well.  Having a strong sense of dissatisfaction or worthlessness with ourselves or lack of self-esteem contributes to causes of depression. 

When we feel sorry for ourselves, probably the best cure is to try to help others. If we can genuinely wish ourselves happiness and radiate that wish to others, our state of mind can dramatically change.   

Helping others can start with just small acts of kindness and compassion.  A simple smile or doing something simple for someone without asking anything in return, is a positive beginning.  With specific meditation techniques and mind training we can gradually build up the courage and determination to confront our self-cherishing mind as we focus on others around us. It is important to train our minds to maintain mindfulness of ourselves and others, so that only healthy habits are cultivated.  

So if we can change our mind, we can change our mood. This of course requires some effort, but it is certainly achievable through mind training. 

It is important to realize that emotions can change. They arise and they pass away.  They are not permanent. If we choose to attach to them, we will only prolong the suffering. There is no one to blame outside for our unhappiness. There is no one to point a finger at who is at fault. If we can understand that the cause is in the mind, then we will understand that the cure is also in the mind.  

As the Buddha said: 

 “We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. 

  When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” 

In depression, there is a tendency for sustaining the problem by self-confirmation. Reinforcing self-obsessive and negative thoughts like “I feel depressed,”  “I hate myself,”  “Life is bad” or “I can’t do it” can, if repeated enough, become eventually a self-fulfilling prophecy.  

Training the mind through meditation, mindfulness, and ethical Buddhist science opens up this narrow view to realize the reality that we are not the only one in the world who is experiencing difficulties. It also awakens us to the realization that we all have a common link as humans, we all experience suffering in some ways and we all desire happiness.  Mind training transforms negative habitual patterns to more positive states that not only benefit us but also others around us. 

Modern psychology is just beginning to uncover the tip of the vast iceberg of Buddhist science, that ancient treasure of knowledge accessible to all of us to better understand and unravel the intricate workings of the human mind.