How to transform the genetic causes of depression | Thich Nhat Hanh Q&A

(Half bell)

(Bell)

In my blood family, there are
many generations of people

who have suffered
with depression and anxiety.

And this has been transmitted
to me and to my daughter.

And so my question is about
those who suffer

with elements of depression
and mental illness

that perhaps come not only from

how we consume and
rumination on difficult things

but also from biological seeds
that come to us from our ancestors

and how we practice to transform
the biological seeds as well.

I think the environment
plays a very important role.

We have all kinds of seeds in our cells,

all kinds of genes in our cells;

genes of depression, genes of joy.

And it is an environment that turns on

that element of depression
or turns it off.

Choosing an environment or creating
an environment is the answer.

When the country was divided
into North and South

and my mother passed away,
I had depression.

And the doctors couldn't help me.

I healed myself just thanks to...

the practice of mindful breathing,
mindful walking,

and I put myself into an environment
conducive to healing.

And when the seeds of joy and the seeds
of compassion have been watered enough,

you can restore the balance
and you keep the practice

so that the other kind of seeds will not
be watered again, it is very important.

And then you will transmit and continue
to transmit that kind of positive,

wholesome elements to the next generation.

That is what Thay practices also.

Because Thay's deepest wishes
are to transmit the best things

that he has been able to achieve,

and try to transform the things

that he is not happy with.

This is a permanent, long-term practice.

Always allowing the good seeds
to be watered by a good environment

and always trying to protect yourself
from the watering of negative seeds

because the negative seeds will always be
there even after you have become a buddha.

A buddha is not a person
who does not have negative seeds,

a buddha is someone
who knows how to protect himself

so that the negative seeds in him will not
be watered by himself or by others.

And a buddha is someone who knows how to
allow his good seeds to be watered everyday

so happiness and compassion
can grow everyday.

So I do have a seed of depression.

And all of us have a seed of depression.

But if you know the practice
of Right Diligence,

maybe we have a time to learn
about Right Diligence tomorrow,

and then maybe okay.

And the other kinds of seeds will have...

no chance to manifest
and take us somewhere.