Zone 3 – Note D – Left Brain: Depression vs. Inner Peace
Head Region: Thinking /Thoughts
A depressed individual’s thoughts tend to focus on past events with the intention of “sorting out” or “making sense” of them in order to “solve” problems or negative experiences or emotions. Such analysis may be conscious or subconscious, and may be manifested by dreaming symbolically about facing and/or overcoming challenges. Energy levels drop as energy is routed toward ineffective problem solving efforts and the pituitary gland may be affected. Physical and sexual appetite may be suppressed though the individual may turn to indulgence as one of a diminished number of remaining pleasures.
Depression may include a propensity to entertain and accept irrational thoughts and may hamper access to left brain skills such as analysis, math, logic, memorization and verbal abilities.
Depression is often triggered by genetic propensities or traumatic life experiences such as abuse, disappointments and failures that created doubts, fear, and intimidation in areas of self-value and/or thinking and learning abilities. It may also arise when individuals are pressured to perform such skills before they had adequately developed or grown confident with them.
Depression is heavily influenced by lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and social life; though these may be as much the effect as the cause of the problem.
Inner Peace is the condition of self-acceptance and inner-harmony that exists when one lives in the present, unencumbered by chronic worry or thoughts and pressures from the past. It is a state of being content with oneself and what one has accomplished. It comes from resolving personal issues, whether they are internal or external to the individual. It can also come from having a clear purpose in life and living in alignment with that purpose.
Inner peace is not the absence of challenges, but the ability to face them with calm and confidence. The key to inner peace is learning how to control one’s thoughts and emotions so that they do not control you. This can be done through mindfulness, meditation, and other practices that promote self-awareness and self-mastery.
It is also important to surround yourself with positive influences and people who support your quest for inner peace. Inner peace is a state of mind that can be cultivated through practice and effort. It is not something that happens overnight, but it is something that you can strive for each day. The choice to pursue inner peace is a personal one, but it is one that can have profound effects on your life and the lives of those around you.
Depression and inner peace are two very different states of mind. Depression is characterized by negative thinking, low energy levels, and a lack of interest in life. Inner peace, on the other hand, is a state of contentment and self-acceptance. It is possible to have moments of inner peace even when you are experiencing depression, but it is not possible to be in a state of inner peace if you are depressed. Depression is treatable, and there are many resources available to help you cope with and overcome depression. The most common methods of treatment are therapy, medication, and self-care. If you are struggling with depression, please seek help from a mental health professional.
Inner peace is something that you can cultivate through effort and practice. The choice to pursue inner peace is a personal one, but it is one that can have profound effects on your life and the lives of those around you.
To learn more about increasing your state of inner peace, see the content below.
Related content:
Inner Peace for Busy People: 52 Simple Strategies for Transforming Life by Joan Z. Borysenko
To walk your life’s path with grace and pleasure, you don’t need to be a monk committed to hours of special practice. You can infuse your days with joy and well-being, even in the busiest moments. All you need are a few life-changing insights and some simple techniques that will help you let go of stress and worry and find your inner peace.
How To Be Compassionate: A Handbook for Creating Inner Peace and a Happier World by Dalai Lama XIV
Inner peace and happiness starts with compassion—for others and for ourselves. But what exactly is compassion? And how do we cultivate it in our daily lives? In this essential handbook, the Dalai Lama shows us that compassion is not a religious matter, but rather an expression of our basic human nature.
Overcoming Depression: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques by Paul Gilbert
Depression can be all-consuming, making it difficult to function in everyday life. This self-help guide uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help you understand and overcome depression. The book includes exercises and activities to help you change your thinking patterns and develop new, more positive ways of coping with life.
*This is one of twelve zones which are identifiable through a process of neurofeedback called Vocal Mapping (aka ZYTO EVOX). During a session you can speak about any topic while the software analyzes your voice for changes in emotional intensity. The changes are then used to generate a feedback loop and a report which identifies which of the twelve zones are most imbalanced. A typical session can last 20-45 minutes.