Meditation heals
Re: "Shortage of psychiatrists", (BP, March 6).
More than 10 years ago, I experienced some mental depression and went to see a psychiatrist. On the second visit, the psychiatrist realised that I am Buddhist and advised me to go and get help at the Buddhist temple. I followed the advice and attended a meditation course led by the famous Luangphor Viriyang Sirintharo at the Willpower Institute. I have overcome my depression and continue to meditate regularly to this day.
At almost the same time, my brother in Europe had a serious burnout that resulted in a 4-month treatment in a closed clinic without contact with the outside world. I was very concerned about what was going on inside that clinic. On the first occasion I could talk to my brother, I asked what they did to him. His most surprising answer was that he learnt meditation.
With the help of meditation as a main part of the Buddhist teachings, we have both overcome our mental illnesses.
Living in a Buddhist country, the first line of defence against mental illness might as well be meditation. It is widely available throughout the country in meditation temples, and, as part of Buddhist philosophy, the courses are generally free of charge.
Using Sadhguru's words, many humans are suffering from their own faculties, mainly because they have never read their own user manual. Meditation is an essential part of that manual, and if done correctly, many cases will not need treatment by a psychiatrist. Maybe that is one of the reasons why Thailand has fewer psychiatrists than non-Buddhist countries.
