Seeing beyond depression by Jean Vanier.
Available from The Record Bookshop $13.95 plus P/H.
Reviewed by Mark Reidy
Jean Vanier describes depression as a dark and painful force that invades the deepest part of one’s being and believes that it is an illness that cannot be sufficiently managed by the sufferer alone.
In this simple and concise book, he provides, as the title suggests, hope for those who feel “imprisoned in this world of darkness”.
In “Seeing Beyond Depression”, Vanier, the founder of L’arche International, combines spiritual wisdom with an insightful understanding of human nature, to address an illness that is incapacitating an increasing number of people from all walks of life.
Vanier begins by differentiating between the temporary grief that derives from losing something dear and the more encompassing darkness that can completely govern the life and attitudes of those afflicted.
Vanier explores the origins of such an overwhelming darkness and addresses the cyclic nature of depression, but emphasises the importance of recognising one’s own rhythm so that when they finds themselves in winter, they can trust that spring will eventually follow.
He stresses that one does not have to become a slave to their morbid sadness, but can learn to manage and then be liberated from it.
He offers suggestions on how to recognise one’s true self, acknowledge the battle raging within, identify root causes, as well as emphasising the need to carefully discern the people one associates with, the activities they choose and the food they eat.
Vanier tends to focus on sufferer’s surrounding themselves with a supportive network, but understands that professional help and medication can also assist with unlocking the prison door.
The key to this door, Vanier believes, is trust – trust that deeper than all the feelings of sadness and death, lies one’s hidden true self, which is unique and carries a promise of fullness of life.
“Behind the black clouds”, he proclaims, “the sun is shining”.