Depression, Peck, and the Unconscious

I learned a lot from Peck's book "The Road Less Traveled". You know, things happen in their own time, when they're ready, and there is a reason for things to happen. This book appeared in my house by divine intervention just when I needed it. And I needed it. (And maybe I needed it just to tell you about it because you needed it)

Peck on Depression

 Anyway, about depression: someone said there is a reason - and that's right. Peck's perspective fits so well. He says that we all have a private unconscious, and a common (to all man) unconscious. And the unconscious is the final arbiter of what is right or wrong. When we are emotionally and spiritually healthy, we are in contact with our unconscious, and understand and follow its guidance.

But sometimes our conscious mind rejects the guidance of our unconscious. For example, I am sticking out this relationship with my wife. I don't have to meditate for more than about 2 nanoseconds to get my unconscious guidance on this issue. My unconscious wants me to get away from her. Surprise: she's abusive, hurtful, and what's more, she hates my unconscious and the directions that it leads me. So my conscious mind, controlling my behavior, is in direct opposition to my unconscious guidance.

  This leads to a very important result: depression. And Peck's writing finally got me clear that my tears are like a flashing red light - saying, "You're not listening to me!" And now that I'm listening, I realize that whenever I cry, it's because of this tension - this refusal of the guidance of my unconscious. And usually there's a really specific message in what I feel at these moments.

 Making use of this understanding

Now, why would you care about this? Well, basically, you'll have to learn to listen to your unconscious (maybe even for longer than a nanosecond - or not) to discover what the tension is in your life. OK, you probably know what it is. I'm rambling. But your depression might not go away by anti-depressing yourself.  It might take more. It might take figuring out how you'll get your conscious mind on the same wavelength with your unconscious.

I'm finding it really helpful to have this framework to think about. Because you can put a few other pieces of Peck's puzzle in to get more clarity. For example, he says that love (not romantic love, but the REAL stuff) consists of nurturing the spiritual growth of another person. That it takes effort and/or courage. And that it reflects back and helps the giver grow too.

I analyzed my marriage in light of that, and it came up short. So how am I gonna grow, and how am I gonna get rid of my depression (which isn't nearly as bad as yours, but what hurts hurts)? I need some change in my life. And having a clearer picture is helping me. You see, you can't adjust your unconscious. So you have to work with your conscious. So I'm finding ways to reorder my conscious thinking, and getting into better harmony with my unconscious truths. So that I can get rid of this depression, grow myself, and stop hurting all the time.

© 2004-6 Richard, 21CP and Dalkeith Press