Zen and mindfulness practice helped me get out from under my depression. It helped me see that I was depressed because of where my focus was. I wasn't present, but obsessively thinking about myself in the future and past, not to mention the self-talk was horrible.

Practicing mindfulness helped me understand this and it showed me I can be present with my depressed feelings, offer compassion to them, and watch them heal. It's an amazing thing.

I know this doesn't work for everyone, but it works for me. Now, I wouldn't say I'm cured of depression. I don't even know if that's possible. But it's certainly manageable and it doesn't influence my actions hardly at all anymore.

Thanks for the article and the insights!