Close Menu
Am Happy
  • Forums
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Addiction
  • Mindfulness
  • Habits
  • Relationships
  • Medication
  • Therapy

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated with the latest news and exclusive offers.

LATEST

6 Essential Tips for a Happy Healthy Marriage

RED FLAGS TO RECOGNIZE WHEN DATING A NEW PARTNER

When Mindfulness and Racism Intersect

National Truth and Reconciliation Day Resources · Centre for Mindfulness Studies

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
Am Happy
Login
  • Forums
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Addiction
  • Mindfulness
  • Habits
  • Relationships
  • Medication
  • Therapy
Am Happy
You are at:Home»Mindfulness»Embracing Release: Finding Freedom Amidst Depression
Mindfulness

Embracing Release: Finding Freedom Amidst Depression

October 10, 2025026 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Embracing Release: Finding Freedom Amidst Depression
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

“`html

Experiencing feelings of being overwhelmed is a frequent catalyst for my anxiety episodes. When a project doesn’t meet my expectations or I miss a deadline, waves of fear and insecurity flood my mind and body. “I’m going to be judged and found lacking,” I think to myself. “They won’t want to collaborate with me again. Who was I to take on such a role? I’m a fraud. I always stumble at the final hurdle.” My heart races, my stomach feels uneasy, and my muscles tighten. These sensations are distressing, prompting me to tense up even more in an unconscious effort to block them out, even as my awareness is drawn to them. Another thought chimes in: Oh no, why am I getting so anxious and stuck?

With so much internal energy spent, I’m left with less to deal with everyday tasks. Panic can start to arise. “Now I can’t accomplish anything else,” my mind complains. “Here comes that downward spiral once more. I’m doomed to be depressed.” The familiar pressure builds up in my nose and chest, blocking access to any other emotions, and negativity takes over: I won’t manage to cope, I’ll run out of money and energy, and I’ll never escape this pit. Pessimistic thoughts fuel even more anxiety. This cycle could continue endlessly—a self-fulfilling prophecy.

With so much energy expended internally, there’s less available to attend to daily matters.

But wait a moment. If these thoughts are merely thoughts—likely just projections shaded by the negative bias that often arises during stressful times—there’s no obligation to follow them. Anxiety is just a feeling, and I understand that feelings are transient. The thoughts and feelings I had yesterday were different; so who’s to say my internal state won’t change again? While there are certainly patterns in experiences, this moment is merely an energy vibration felt in consciousness, formed by a constellation of events in my mind and body, as well as the world around a so-called “me,” which doesn’t truly have a fixed existence. The ideas in my mind are fluid, bodily sensations are in flux, and the triggering events are fading into memory—merely remnants of energy that kick off mental and physical habits. Suddenly, with this shift in point of view, thoughts and feelings no longer do not constitute facts, and there’s no solid, single “me” to feel disturbed or hurt by them. There’s simply experience, unfolding continuously. Yes, it’s painful experience right now, but it’s still just energy in motion. I’m also changing from moment to moment—everything is in flow, as it always is. This won’t remain the same, nor will I.

“No Feeling is Final.”

Rainer Maria Rilke once said: “Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” We can make this even less personal. Just let everything happen (omit the “to you”)—observe and feel each part of the mind–body–world as it plays out on the stage of consciousness, experiencing it all with curiosity and compassion, knowing that this moment is already and inevitably transitioning into something else. If we allow the energy to unfold naturally, subsequent moments are less likely to be influenced by misguided attempts to solidify what is flowing, or to push away what is currently present. Neither trying to solidify nor separating from the moment can ever be effective, because the moment is always both present and in transition. But if there’s no depression to get stuck in, and no self to feel hurt, then everything in mind, body, and life can flow freely, like an unblocked river, allowing energy to flow without the defensive barriers that merely turn that energy inward.

By shifting perspective and approach—experiencing without grasping and resistance—this moment has already become different from how it might have been.

Negative thoughts and physical symptoms of fear may still be present. But they are no longer “mine.” They simply exist—remaining fragments of past events that don’t have to lead to unnecessary future suffering. By changing my perspective and approach—experiencing without clinging and resistance—this moment has already transformed from how it might have turned out.

A Mountain Meditation to Help You Shift Out of Panic Mode

This mindfulness technique, often known as “the mountain meditation,” can assist us in grounding ourselves, particularly amidst life’s unpredictable changes. By visualizing and embodying the steadiness of a mountain, we train ourselves to be present to both the external and internal elements of our experience: our thoughts and sensations.

1) Settle into a comfortable, upright sitting position. Be present and alert. Maintain a gentle and steady posture, feeling connected to the ground beneath you. Your body rises into the air.

2) Visualize a majestic mountain in your mind. It could be a mountain you’ve climbed, admired from a distance, seen in a movie, or one you just imagine. Regardless, picture a mountain that embodies beauty and grandeur, filled with natural wonder.

3) Observe the mountain’s remarkable qualities: Picture its base firmly anchored in the earth, ascending without apology into the sky, fully claiming its place within the landscape. Acknowledge its solidity, stillness, strength, and size. Through day or night, storms and sunlight, winter and summer, the mountain stands firmly in its space, remaining unyielding regardless of the weather. It doesn’t have to act. It simply exists—a stunning mountain. Remarkable just by being there. No matter if it’s sunny, snowing, windy, warm, or cold, the mountain is always present.

4) Recognize your own mountain-like qualities as you sit. Just like the mountain is rooted in the earth, your feet connect to the ground. Your body rises like the mountain itself. Your head rests on your shoulders like the mountain’s peak, allowing you to be fully present as the mountain resides in its space. Your body and essence are as marvelous as the mountain that inspires such awe simply through its existence. Like the mountain, you embody stillness, solidity, and beauty without needing to do anything else.

Naturally, life events, thoughts, and sensations will come and go like weather patterns. Whatever the circumstances, practice being a “breathing body mountain” for now. Naturally splendid, regardless of whether the environment feels favorable or unfavorable. Let life’s weather unfold—allowing rain, sunshine, or snow to fall—remaining as present as possible to whatever arises.

5) When your mind drifts, gently guide your focus back to the feeling of being a mountain, or take a moment to concentrate on the mountain in your mind before returning to bodily sensations. Discard the need to feel a specific way. If you don’t feel like a mountain, that’s perfectly fine.

This practice encourages you to nurture a quality instead of fabricating a feeling: simply embodying a “breathing body mountain.”

This post was adapted from Into The Heart of Mindfulness, by Ed Halliwell, published by Piatkus). You can download a collection of 14 guided audio meditation practices from Ed’s books here.


“`

Depressed Room youre
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleNational Truth and Reconciliation Day Resources · Centre for Mindfulness Studies
Next Article 18 Essential Wishes Women Have for Their Partners

Related Posts

When Mindfulness and Racism Intersect

October 11, 2025

National Truth and Reconciliation Day Resources · Centre for Mindfulness Studies

October 11, 2025

National Truth and Reconciliation Day Resources · Centre for Mindfulness Studies

October 10, 2025
Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

MUST READ

6 Essential Tips for a Happy Healthy Marriage

By tashkiukasOctober 12, 2025

Building a happy healthy marriage is one of life’s most rewarding journeys, yet it requires…

RED FLAGS TO RECOGNIZE WHEN DATING A NEW PARTNER

When Mindfulness and Racism Intersect

National Truth and Reconciliation Day Resources · Centre for Mindfulness Studies

About

Welcome to AM HAPPY, your one-stop shop for navigating the ups and downs of mental wellbeing! We’re a mental health blog dedicated to fostering a supportive community where everyone feels empowered to discuss their experiences – from the “A” of anxiety to the “Z” of zest for life.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
latest posts

6 Essential Tips for a Happy Healthy Marriage

RED FLAGS TO RECOGNIZE WHEN DATING A NEW PARTNER

When Mindfulness and Racism Intersect

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated with the latest news and exclusive offers.

© 2025Am Happy. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below.

Lost password?