|
I recently read this interesting statistic, "While both men and women whose marriages have ended have a higher risk of being depressed than married couples, the Statistics Canada study found that men who had divorced or separated were six times more likely to report an episode of depression compared with the men who remained married." Reading this made me wonder, do these men who are experiencing depression, grief and loss know it's a signal that it's time to pay attention to their spirit? Are they seeking a holistic approach to their pain?
I've done a lot of work with women - approximately 85% of my clients are women who are learning to become empowered. They are triumphing over adversities by turning pain and victimization into blessings, strength, and courage of self and spirit. I feel this is due to the fact that women naturally seek help and support - especially of a spiritual kind. They don't generally have a problem or issue with asking for help and seem to enjoy soul-searching. However, I feel that is not the case for a large majority of men. While I know this trend is changing for the better, it's happening way too slowly.
I see this struggle with pain and grief in some men and it's been difficult for me to wait until they approach me for help. Because of the nature of my empathic gifts, I can actually feel their pain. There are some, such as those in the statistic above, whose depression just lingers there because, in my opinion, they really don't have effective means of dealing with it. I hear of men who seek counseling and even medication for their depression, but without any spiritual soul-searching, I feel they will come up empty. This just feeds the cycle of depression.
My belief in treating depression, grief, loss, and all kinds of pain is that we must approach it holistically. That means treating the whole person - body, mind, and especially spirit. Treating the symptoms with medication is only a temporary fix. The same holds true for the mind. I believe addressing the spirit is even more important. My belief is that our souls are here for a purpose, which is to discover who we really are on a spiritual level and then commit to becoming one with that. I believe this is the reason for our existence. Acknowledging, discovering, and revealing your spirit is an ongoing process, not something you do once and be done with it. Your spirit - authentic self - who you really are is always evolving, always changing into something greater. By ignoring your spirit, you actually create more pain within yourself - physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Conversely, by acknowledging, committing to and following through on this spiritual process, you begin to alleviate much pain while experiencing greater joy, love, grace, and ease in life. I know this is so because I live it.
How many men do you know who invest time in their spiritual needs through practice and daily meditation? My experience is that there are very few. And yet, the issues they are struggling with such as pain, grief, and depression are huge signs that the time has come for them to begin addressing their spirituality. After all, pain is an opportunity to discover who they really are. As has been said, "The truth shall set you free" and so this opportunity will reveal the awesome truth of who they really are. I pray for these men and hope they will begin their process soon.
|
