By: Corine Brooks
Questioning your existence
Dealing with the sadness, emptiness, tiredness, not wanting to get out of the bed, even when the kids need you. Finding no meaning in anything you do, even waking up in the morning.
We all go through it.
At some point in our lives we start questioning our existence.
Why am I here? Why do I need to be here?
What am I doing to change the world for the better?
What would happen without me?
This is a normal thought, some of us fight these thoughts because the depression that comes with it gets so bad. We’re afraid of possibly taking action and maybe removing ourselves from this world.
Many of us, who suffer from depression, know what is like. We often don’t know what the trigger is, but we notice the change. We can feel it becoming harder and harder to smile, to laugh, to cry, we become numb to the world and the world becomes numb to us.
Sometimes we can fake it. Getting up from bed, throwing our hair into a messy bun and taking the kids to school. Putting on a fake smile for the family and friends that pass us by.
Deep down there is nothing, and we don’t know why. We ask the Big universal question;
WHY am I HERE?
Without the experience of true happiness, life can feel empty.
We need meaning, we need to follow our Dharma.
Have you heard of the term Dharma?
Do you know what it means?
Dharma can be described as your purpose, natural, right, it falls in accordance with natural law.
Your individual reason for being here on Earth.
When you’re following your Dharma, you are bringing into existence what should be here.
You are doing what needs done, by you.
You contribute to the world, by performing the jobs which you were meant to do.
Sometimes these jobs can be calling you in the form of a passion, it just feels right, so you do it.
Sometimes these jobs can come to you out of nowhere, and you are supposed to act on the spot.
Either way, you must act in a specific way to follow your Dharma, if we pull away from those jobs that we are supposed to do, it’s called Adharma.
Adharma can be described as unnatural, wrong or individual disharmony with the nature of things.
Adharma can cause destruction, pain and suffering, something we have all felt.
Regardless of what you believe, there are many teachings and text, from all over the world, which cover Dharma or “Living out your purpose” and the different paths for doing so.
Following these “paths” lead to a higher state of consciousness and overall well being.
You are no longer attached to your ego self, but instead are intuned with your higher Self.
The Self, in its truest form, meant to know and follow its Dharma.
If you would like an example, here are some teachings from the Buddha below;
The EightFold Path
He describes these 8 “paths” as needing to be done together for a having a peaceful, fulfilled life. Basically a way to follow your Dharma.
- Right View or Right Understanding – Understanding Truth
- Right Intention – Letting go of our selfishness and Ego
- Right Action – Only partaking in acts of love and kindness
- Right Speech – “It is spoken at the right time. It is spoken in truth. It is spoken affectionately. It is spoken beneficially. It is spoken with a mind of goodwill.” — AN 5.198.
- Right Livelihood – How does your job help you and others alleviate suffering? Are you able to live a balanced life despite of your work?
- Right Effort – practicing mindfulness when it is most difficult to do so.
- Right Mindfulness – Mindfulness teaches us to live in the present. Being aware of the exact moment you are living in, not dwelling in the past or the future.
- Right Meditation – When we meditate, we find peace. If the mind is at peace, you will be able to live a life of goodness and virtue.
If you’re interested in finding your Dharma and need some help,
Call Ardent Center, Counseling For Meaningful Change:
(888) 870-1775, between 9am and 5pm.
Ardent offers a wide range of counseling services with professionals in all areas.
If you have insurance, most of the cost of your session may be covered by your insurance. If you don’t have insurance, we provide a sliding scale of fees depending on which therapist you see and your financial situation. We provide face to face counseling if you live in Chicagoland and Iowa and counseling anywhere via online counseling.