Being Present in the Darkness: Using Depression As a Tool for Self-Discovery

by Cheri Huber

Suggests that resisting depression actually maintains it, and offers exercises and meditations that help lead to acceptance of one's emotions

Genres: Psychology, Buddhism, Self Help, Spirituality, Nonfiction

123 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

Cheri Huber, author of 20 books, has been a student and teacher of Zen for over 35 years. In 1983, Cheri founded the Mountain View Zen Center, and in 1987 she founded the Zen Monastery Peace Center near Murphys, California. She and the monks at the Monastery conduct workshops and retreats at these centers, other places around the U.S., and internationally.

In 1997, Cheri founded Living Compassion, a nonprofit organization dedicated to peace and service. Living Compassion’s primary work is the Africa Vulnerable Children Project, based in Zambia, where for over a decade they have been working with the people of Kantolomba, beginning the process of turning a slum of 11,000 people into a self-sustaining community.

Cheri also has a weekly Internet based radio show.

Reviews

[Coyora Dokusho · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Extremely* helpful

Very grateful I was reading this today during my epic sojourn across the country. If you ever buy tickets from Jefferson lines buses, be careful, because the phone people suck... SUCK! And this book helped me to deal with it in a rational and peaceful way without investing a lot of emotional energy into it.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A now “classic” on a Buddhist approach to depression.
It was very helpful to me a few decades back, and I still recommend it to those who experience depression and have no experience with or exposure to “the Dharma” (Buddhist teachings).

East to read, very approachable content.

[Norabear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short handwritten book on an Eastern acceptance of depression. Rather than fighting it, let go and go into it (i.e. the best way out is through.)

[Hoyadaisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really helpful. Really, really simple and clear.