The symptoms of depression are similar in all people, but methods of dealing with the disease are different in Eastern and Western cultures. Psychologist,  Dr. Peter Lin, PhD. discussed the different approaches in a presentation at the New Canaan Library on Sat. Jan. 29.

Western medicine’s treatment for depression – psychotherapy and medication – contrast with the Eastern healing method of mindfulness and meditation, Lin told the audience. But there are similarities.

"Both Western psychotherapy and Eastern Buddhism are interested in solving human suffering,” Lin said.     

Up to 25 percent of women and 10 percent of men will suffer from depression at some point in their lives, unrelated to ethnicity, education, income or marital status, Lin said. While occasional sadness is normal, feeling sad every day for at least two weeks suggests a major depression.

"Feeling sad is like being short of breath," Lin explained, "Depression is like having severe asthma. Depression can kill you if you don't take care of it." 

Re-wiring the brain was the subject of Lin’s presentation, which was called "Facing Depression." Lin is a clinical psychologist in private practice, a professor at St. Joseph's College in New York and an experienced practitioner of meditation.

For the past twenty years, psychologists have been interested in deeper study of Buddhist practices, he said.

"Buddhism believes people suffer because they don't want things as they are," Lin said.  "People want things to be other than they are, because they don't see the true nature of the 'self.'"

Lin’s appearance was sponsored by the Fairfield County branch of Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA). Branch president Alice Chen, a long-time New Canaan resident and business owner, has invited many of DDMBA's meditation instructors to teach at the library.

"It really works." Chen said about meditation. "Our thoughts get clearer during meditation and it helps me be healthy and happier."  

Lin said most 21st century disease is mind-related, using heart disease and diabetes as examples of behavior being central to the affliction. 

The three approaches to relieve depression -- self-help, psychotherapy and medication -- are most effective when used in combination, Lin said. Medication is often necessary to stabilize a patient's mood and thinking before healing behaviors, such as a meditation practice, can be adapted.

“Both meditation and psychotherapy are ways of knowing the mind and training the mind” Lin said. “As my understanding of the mind progresses, I try to express this understanding through social service and encourage others to do the same."

Following Lin's presentation, Venerable Abbot Guo Xing, a master teacher from the Chan Meditation Center addressed the audience.

"People are fooled by their memories," Xing said. "Meditation helps one to ignore these thoughts like they are a series of images from a TV show."

"Smile the Buddha smile once a minute," he said. "The body influences the mind. When you smile, your facial expression causes you to change your mind, from the outside to the inside. Imitate the Buddha smile -- he is satisfied."