Depression and spiritual awakening -- two sides of one door | Lisa Miller | TEDxTeachersCollege

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Is depression, as most of us experience it, meaningless suffering? Dr. Lisa Miller presents research that lends meaning to the experience of depression and to our experience on planet Earth.

Dr. Lisa Miller is perhaps the world’s foremost expert in the relative study of psychology and spirituality. Dr. Miller is Professor and Director of Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she founded and currently directs the Spirituality and Mind-Body Institute, to innovate, disseminate, and train healers in foundationally spiritual treatments. Dr. Miller solo-edited the Oxford University Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality (2012) and has published over seventy articles and chapters on spirituality in mental health and wellness. She has acted as Principle Investigator on several million dollars-worth of grants from corporate and family foundations as well as the National Institutes of Mental Health. Dr. Miller is Co-Founder and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the new APA publication, Spirituality in Clinical Practice, and also serves as associate editor of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, the official journal of APA Division 36, Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, for which Dr. Miller has served as President and is now APA Council Representative. Dr. Miller has been elected to Fellow of the American Psychological Association and awarded the Virginia Sexton Mentoring Award. She is a graduate of Yale University, Columbia University, and University of Pennsylvania, where she studied under Martin Seligman, Ph. D.

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[yeshonestly]

Quote by Rumi: "The wound is the place where the light enters you".

[suzannah]

My depression has also been a portal to spiritual awakening!!! No suffering is wasted. I've come to realize that the presence was always there, waiting for me to come home.

[piscesqueen]

My depression awakened me to the presence of angels and ancestors. They were always there. We are never alone

[sherrimandel]

Psychedelics saved me from years of uncontrollable depression, anxiety and illicit pill addiction.imagine carrving heavy chains for over a decade and then all of a sudden that burden is gone.Believe it or not in a couple years they'll be all over for treatment of mental health related issues

[jonnyw]

My experience thus far in life tells me this is a universal truth. Suffering, I believe, is the primary mechanism of spiritual growth.

[leonardascorpius]

Essentially, when you stop trying so damn hard, think and work too much at it, and instead, just let it go, let it flow with NO ego or expectations, that's when the Universe steps in and helps you along your Path. Still may not be the exact outcome you wished for, but more than likely, even better.

[bcvc]

So glad a psychologist is saying this. Depression is a normal reaction to life and all it’s curve balls and challenges. Namaste 🙏

[meherbabaisgodinhumanform]

"Terrible suffering is a sign of happiness and peace to come". Meher Baba

[luckyleo]

Depression led me to the Dark Night of the Soul and now I'm here watching this video.

Everyone who is suffering, it will be okay. Just hang in there. I promise it will be better.

Good vibrations and blessings.

[bobeden]

My depression was a gift. Depression is not an illness but a wound of the soul.

[lindab]

That’s why many African Americans are so spiritual. They had to overcome the loss of being taken from the motherland of humanity and go through a lot of suffering until even today. Those people are so humanly evolved for that.

[LaneySweet]

My husband was shot and killed by a police officer almost five years ago. I’m a few weeks away from the 5 year anniversary and struggling pretty hard with depression over the last month. It comes in waves. Anyways— the loss of him absolutely lead to my spiritual awakening. I’ve been doing intense healing work for years with much progress. The immense suffering laid my soul bare and through that, I learned to recognize and heal my shadows and trauma. I’m obviously still learning and it’s that information that keeps me going on low days like today. I do know it’s all divine even when I don’t understand it.

[ammu]

I have been battling depression since last 7 years.. I literally gave up on everything.. lost relationships, friend career studies everything.. I thought it won't end ever.. now suddenly when I look back I realize that it all happened for a reason .. suddenly I'm looking for spiritual videos doing meditations .. and realise it was spiritual awakening process.. what I've been looking outside is inside me.. still in the process of spiritual awakening 🙏 don't give up guys .. ❤️

[bluewings]

Depression can be paralyzing. But powerful transformation happens when we begin to face difficult emotions and listen to what they have to teach us. They are messengers that let you know when you are out of alignment. Transcending them is the key.

[kyracurry]

A lifetime of trauma, tragedy, depression, hurt and pain led me to my awakening. Most of my life I thought God just didn’t like me and that’s why my life was so sad. It was just preparing me for the greatest gift of all, Spiritual Awakening. Hang in there my dear friends, it will happen. Sending love & light to you all. 💜

[nikstar]

Been a very high achieving and positive person all of my life however have been suffering from depression as long as I can remember. A break up 2 months ago coupled with a hellish level of trauma attachment and depression as a result of my life situation put me on the path to spiritual enlightenment.. I read the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle which changed everything...it took me to be 43 to start to awaken.. Sending everyone lots of positive vibes from Australia! 🇦🇺☀️🌈

[nicoledavis]

4 years ago I woke up on Mothers day and immediately thought of my beautiful children, who I miss terribly and began to cry. Just then I heard a duck right outside my window and when I looked I saw her and her 8 little ducklings following behind. I've always thought of them as my Mother's Day gift from the Universe. After hearing your story about a Mother Duck, I'm sure of that now.

[robsailor]

She made me cry. Depression is call to a spiritual path. Yes.

[katslondon]

when I was deeply depressed and desperately lonely, one night during my sleep a hand placed a sheet of paper right in front of my eyes written on it were the words 'you are not alone, I communicate with you' Another time just before major surgery I was dozing on my sofa full of anxiety and was woken by the distinct feeling of someone kissing my forehead. These signs are always so uplifting.

[erinbehr]

My jaw actually dropped at the end, what an amazing life this is!