Empty Cauldrons
Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Terence P Ward, author of the new Empty Cauldrons.
I set out to write a book about depression, and what surprised me most is how easy it was to find people with firsthand experience to interview. Knowing from personal experience how difficult it can be to discuss what it’s like to live through depression, I dreaded trying to find anyone willing to talk about what it’s like. Writing only from my own perspective felt unnatural to me as a journalist, and I wanted to test my understanding by talking with others—those who know depression personally, and professionals trained in addressing it. What I found was a pool of generous souls, each willing to share something of their private journeys in the hopes that it would help bring healing to others. Respected leaders including Ivo Dominguez, Jr., Orion Foxwood, Courtney Weber, Siobhan Johnson, and Nimue Brown opened their hearts about their own depression journeys. They and others also shared deep wisdom around the spiritual impacts of having a relationship with depression, and steps that we might take to shift that relationship. Their words bring an authenticity to this book that would not have been possible with my voice alone.
Depression is still often a secret, but it is a common secret. It may be shocking to realize how common it is, because when we endure a period of depression it can feel shameful to admit what’s happening. The stigma around mental health issues is real, and that makes it easier for the voice of depression to whisper discouraging words in our ears, convincing us that it’s better to suffer alone. Your friends don’t really care, it says. Don’t show weakness, it warns. You’re better off just staying home because you’d just be lousy company anyway, it confides. Those words are compelling in part because they seem to be in your own voice, thoughts rising inside your mind. Interviewing wise ones in our communities affirmed for me that no, this is not a unique experience. It’s my belief that readers of Empty Cauldrons may also come away recognizing that depression is not a flaw in one’s character, but a condition that should be treated not only medically and therapeutically, but spiritually, as well.
Our thanks to Terence for his guest post! For more from Terence P Ward, read his article, “9 Pagan Ways to Manage Depression.”
