Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Can philosophers help resolve the real problems that people have in their lives?

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Bill Wiltrack
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Bill Wiltrack »

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I totally relate to what you said.


I've had a rough road ever since I retired & because of the economy I have never vigorously looked for work since my retirement.


What activities to you engage in to add meaning to your life?






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Arising_uk
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Arising_uk »

Bill Wiltrack wrote:I've had a rough road ever since I retired & because of the economy I have never vigorously looked for work since my retirement.
What a load of old bollocks as I'm positive that there is more than enough voluntary work to go around.
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Bill Wiltrack
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Bill Wiltrack »

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Recently I have been becoming involved with some volunteer activities at the church I attend.

It's not easy for I am not keen on modern organized religion. But, for me, the activities at times keep me distracted.

Distracted from the shear utter terror of the emptiness.

Do you volunteer?





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Arising_uk
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Arising_uk »

Bill Wiltrack wrote:.Distracted from the shear utter terror of the emptiness.
Should have had kids.
Do you volunteer? [/size].
Nope, as over here I'll have to be working until I drop.
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Bill Wiltrack
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Bill Wiltrack »

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Do you enjoy your work?


What do you do?




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What part of the United Kingdom do you live in?




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I thought European countries had excellent retirement programs for the most part...




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What god do you believe in?


Do you worship that god?

Do you consider yourself religious?



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Arising_uk
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Arising_uk »

Bill Wiltrack wrote:.Do you enjoy your work?
It's a job.
What do you do?
Currently I drive a bus.
What part of the United Kingdom do you live in?
London.
I thought European countries had excellent retirement programs for the most part...
Sure, back in the 70's when there were jobs for life but then we had a female Prime Minister who destroyed the unions.

What god do you believe in?
None.
Do you worship that god?
What 'god'?
Do you consider yourself religious?.
Take a guess.
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Bill Wiltrack
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Bill Wiltrack »

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Good on you.


Good luck.


I love you.




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tbieter
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by tbieter »

tbieter wrote:
Bill Wiltrack wrote:.


Yeah. I don't know what learning is. Don't know how to learn.

Perhaps we evolve a bit during a normal lifetime. Perhaps not.

Perhaps nothing means anything.


In a way, I hope this crushing emptiness, this relentless depression that I am experiencing is a down-payment of sorts.

Hope I'm paying some sort of dues ahead of time...but that is completely speculation.

...there is a fear that is creeping-in. Don't know how to characterize it. I shouldn't try.








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Above, Bill has written the following:
"Although what I have been experiencing has pushed me to my very limits, that heaviness of my soul...this, Dark Night of the Soul
is something that I, at least so far, have been able to bear.
I think, if this isn't a preclusion my immediate demise, I will survive. And possibly be larger for it.
This emptiness, this sadness has expanded me to emotions I have not been able to experience before." (Emphasis added)
One of my mentors, James V. Schall, S.J., repeatedly writes that the philosopher, in his investigations, must be open to the totality of reality. Upon that counsel, I dare to sugget an answer from the world of Christian religous thought. Your condition may be from the vice of sloth. Perhaps you should do some reading on sloth, or consult a trustworthy learned priest.

If this suggestion offends you, Bill, disregard it and accept my sincere apology.

In the past I read quite a lot about monks and sloth. It is a special danger to them. As I read this thread, I thought of those readings and also what I know about sloth.


Sloth
'When many of us think of sloth, we probably conjure up images of an ugly South American animal that eats shoots and actually hangs around. Or maybe we think of unshaven Joe Sixpack lying on the sofa all weekend, not lifting a finger except to open another cold one.

The latter is a fairly apt image of the vice of sloth or its synonyms such as boredom, acedia, and laziness. Boredom refers to a certain emptiness of soul or lack of passion; acedia refers to the sadness that comes from our unwillingness to tackle the difficulties involved in attaining something good; laziness more generally refers to the torpor and idleness of one who is not inclined to exert himself.

Sloth encompasses all these ideas and more.
http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articl ... n-of-sloth
This book arrived today and I started to read it:
http://www.amazon.com/Noonday-Devil-Ace ... nday+devil

I put this question regarding Bill's symptoms:

If one concedes that human nature incldes a spiritual dimension, then, relative to Bill, shouldn't acedia be considered as a possible cause of his discontent?
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Bill Wiltrack
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Bill Wiltrack »

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Acedia (also accidie or accedie, from Latin acedĭa, and this from Greek ἀκηδία, "negligence") describes a state of listlessness or torpor, of not caring or not being concerned with one's position or condition in the world.

It can lead to a state of being unable to perform one's duties in life. Its spiritual overtones make it related to but arguably distinct from depression.

Acedia was originally noted as a problem among monks and other ascetics who maintained a solitary life. St Martha is the spiritual conqueror against acedia.






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Arising_uk
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Arising_uk »

So that you Bill?
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Bill Wiltrack
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Bill Wiltrack »

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I like the word acedia much better than sloth.

I don't know where I'm at. In a way I have no right to complain at all...on the other hand I find I don't have much motivation.


I don't even know if that is an actual problem or possibly an awesome state of being...like a Sufi monk.





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Arising_uk
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Arising_uk »

Bill Wiltrack wrote:...
I don't even know if that is an actual problem or possibly an awesome state of being...like a Sufi monk.[/size].
Go for awesome and stop whinging about it.
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Bill Wiltrack
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Bill Wiltrack »

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I go for awesome every moment I am able to.

As far as whinging? Perhaps. On the other hand this is a forum, and I attempt to post controversial, reflective, and universal topics.

Perhaps other members have felt the way I have about this state of being...


Literal thought could be considered whinging. If that is the framework, we may all be guilty.






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tbieter
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by tbieter »

Bill Wiltrack wrote:.




I totally relate to what you said.


I've had a rough road ever since I retired & because of the economy I have never vigorously looked for work since my retirement.


What activities to you engage in to add meaning to your life?

Each morning I make coffee and either just watch and listen attentively or read to Classic Arts Showcase for a couple hours. I get the program on Dish satellite TV, but its now available online 24 hours a day. It is the best program available.
http://www.classicartsshowcase.org/

After breakfast, I get Charlie, my son's dog, and take him to the dog park. I know a lot of people there so I enjoy many conversations.

I'm grateful. For my 73 years and counting, for when and where I grew up, for my family, (and for my white privilege),for the schools I attended, etc., and, finally, for the incredible beauty and mystery of the world.



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Bill Wiltrack
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Re: Is Emptiness Actually Depression?

Post by Bill Wiltrack »

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I love your philosophy and your approach to this part of your life.

Good luck to you & thank you for responding.





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