On Compassion and Depression

The Dalai Lama was asked in a live interactive interview. Here is one Q:

“How do you help young people address issues of poor self-esteem, managing eating disorders, addiction, self-harm and suicide?”

He responded:

“These problems are a lack of ability [to have] compassionate feelings. Too much self-centered,” the Dalai Lama replied, explaining today’s culture is “too materialistic.”

He continued to discuss on having compassion:

“When you show more sense of concern for others’ well being, then you also get the feeling ‘I am something useful to others.’ That brings more self-confidence and meaningful life. Otherwise, you become lonely … feel helpless, discouraged.”

So basically one therapy for the depressed, anxious and the problematic people is to focus doing something bigger than himself. Do something for others. It gets your focus out from selfishness to selflessness. Purpose is drawn from having compassion to help others. Make the world a better place.

Want to be happier? Start thinking about others.

#compassion #depression #dalailama #happiness