Depression: Adjusting our Expectations
Series: Open Mind
From: The Tibet Connection
Length: 00:07:59
From the point of view of Buddhist psychology, depression stems from unrealistic expectations in life. By adjusting our expectations we can better avert depression, says Venerable Rita Riniker, a Buddhist nun from Switzerland who's had lots of experience with depression.
"Life is a little bit like the dentist," says Rita Riniker, a Buddhist nun. If we expect it to be a pleasant experience all the time, we're in for a shock. On the other hand, by accepting that there are going to be tough times, we can be ready and won't be quite so disappointed.
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Piece Description
From the point of view of Buddhist psychology, depression stems from unrealistic expectations in life. By adjusting our expectations we can better avert depression, says Venerable Rita Riniker, a Buddhist nun from Switzerland who's had lots of experience with depression.
"Life is a little bit like the dentist," says Rita Riniker, a Buddhist nun. If we expect it to be a pleasant experience all the time, we're in for a shock. On the other hand, by accepting that there are going to be tough times, we can be ready and won't be quite so disappointed.
Broadcast History
The Tibet Connection, broadcast on "Sprouts" (Pacifica) Feb 2010. http://www.pacificanetwork.org/radio/content/blogcategory/49/76/
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Now for a Buddhist approach to depression, we go to Dharamsala (dah-rahm-SAH-luh), India, where producer Peter Aronson (AA-ron-son) spoke with Venerable Rita Riniker, a Buddhist nun from Switzerland who has lots of experience dealing with depression.
OUTRO:That was Venerable Rita Riniker, a Buddhist nun from Switzerland, talking with producer Peter Aronson (AA-ron-son) at a meditation center in India. This interview was originally recorded for The Tibet Connection, more info at TheTibetConnection dot org.
(SUGGESTED MUSIC FOR OUTRO: Bonnie Tyler, "Total Eclipse of the Heart")
More info on the interviewee: http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/resident/rita.php
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