Why are so many people depressed and lonely

[sparklekaz]

It is a undisputed fact that more people suffer from anxiety and depression today then they have ever done. And those figures are still rising. Suicide rates higher than ever before, particularly in man between the ages of 18 to 35. Since the end of the Second World War when everything was rationed and times were hard. Today, for many, their standard of living has never been better. Health care and advice about diet and disease is available to everyone, and is free in here in the United Kingdom. And yet, people are still becoming ill, physically and mentally. And in spite of the various different forms of communications we have, many people have never felt so alone and isolated. So what is really happening? I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

[mojomojo]

It is the natural way, for a child to play with other children, to graze his knee, to laugh and cry, to begin interacting.
It is not natural for a child to be engrossed in a phone or Ipad, where by age four or five it has already become a problem, to the extent they have to be weaned off the devices.
It is natural for children to converse by word of mouth and not by texting, it is natural to experience difficult situations and learn to deal with them, not to use a phone as escapism.
In this new world of instant gratification, something pure and innocent has been lost, it is not natural for thirteen year olds to kill.
Developing minds, through video games and such devices are been desensitized, the art of communication is been killed by texting and such like.
This material world has only one value, money, connection with spirit has been long forgotten, the need to succeed is greater and more difficult then ever before.
Bullies now enter your home via texting, where before they were confined to the school playground.
We are paying for our technological advances, and will continue to do so.

[donq]

Hi Karen,

About health, the similar questions were asked some thousands years ago (around 240 B.C.):

Huang Di (The Yellow Emperor) asked the Qi Bo (heavenly teacher),

“I’ve heard that in the days of old everyone lived one hundred years without showing the usual signs of aging. In our time, however, people age prematurely, living only fifty years. Is this due to a change in the environment, or is it because people have lost the correct way of life?”

Qi Bo replied, “In the past, people practiced the Tao, the Way of Life. They understood the principle of balance as represented by the transformations of the energies of the universe. They formulated exercises to promote energy flow to harmonize themselves with the universe. They ate a balanced diet at regular times, arose and retired at regular hours, avoided overstressing their bodies and minds, and refrained from overindulgence of all kinds. They maintained well-being of body and mind; thus, it is not surprising that they lived over one hundred years.”

“These days, people have changed their way of life. They drink wine as though it were water, indulge excessively in destructive activities, drain their jing - the body’s essence that is stored in the Kidneys - and deplete their qi. They do not know the secret of conserving their energy and vitality. Seeking emotional excitement and momentary pleasures, people disregard the natural rhythm of the universe. They fail to regulate their lifestyle and diet, and sleep improperly. So it is not surprising that they look old at fifty and die soon after.”

“The accomplished ones, of ancient times, advised people how to guard themselves against disease-causing factors. On the mental level, one should remain calm and avoid excessive desires and fantasies, recognizing and maintaining the natural purity and clarity of the mind. When internal energies are able to circulate smoothly and freely, and the energy of the mind is not scattered, but is focused and concentrated, illness and disease can be avoided.”

“Previously, people led a calm and honest existence, detached from undue desire and ambition; they lived with an untainted conscience and without fear. They were active, but never depleted themselves. Because they lived simply, they knew contentment, as reflected in their diet of basic but nourishing foods, and clothing that was appropriate to the season but never luxurious. Since they were happy in their position in life, they did not feel jealousy or greed. They had compassion for others and were helpful and honest, free from destructive habits. They remained unshakable and unswayed by temptations, and they were able to stay centered even when adversity arose. They treated others justly, regardless of their level of intelligence or position.”

-from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine (the Neijing Suwen)

About communications and loneliness , I read somewhere that the very reason that social media and the internet are boomed because everyone wants their voices to be heard. And the paradox is here: if they don't feel so lonely, why they bother to access to the internet. Just go out and meet with the real friends. Hmm...and then, why the heck am I here? Maybe because I have no friends out there to meet? hahaha

P.S. Please don't hate me. I quoted a lot not becuase i'm boastful but just because English is not my first language. It's a lot easy and save my effort this way. Besides, you don't have to bear with my bad speelings/grammar and erratics.  

[gruntal]

I'm not sure how much of this is autobiographical. After all everything I know is filtered by my own senses and interpreted by my own experiences. But I still stubbornly think I see countless examples all around me that point out one of my pet peeves throughout all of my adult life. Which is:

The world or at least human civilization doesn't work like it is supposed to. So many of us do not have the things or opportunities we were promised. Lowered expectations are becoming the norm. To add insult to injury we live in the information age but instead of ferreting out facts we all too often are presented hype. Between pie-in-the-sky and paranoia the real world confusing and not very friendly. Who knows what is really going on?

At one level it was pretty obvious when things were bad and you could complain with impunity. At another level when it hurts you are told to shut up and pretend it was all right. Don't be an embarrassment. There is of course a solution and that is to change the very way we look at thinks and change direction when it doesn't work. It would seem religion and politics both had their day and neither proved to be life savers. But we tend to go on and do the same things or ask the same questions.

By all odds much of the world is almost inimical to human health and prosperity or is too complex and difficult to navigate. Or is predicated to sustaining itself by growth and pyramid schemes. How many people - even in the wonderful world of spirituality - have learned how to live better without consuming more and more resources?

And you wonder why in my old age I spend more and more time alone in my Sanctuary just meditating or contemplating. The answers I seek are so elusive or "otherworldly" they won't be found in print. That can make it a lonely existence but I feel less hostility and life isn't so threatening.

Because I am learning to see and do on my own.