Sep 16, 2010 -- 2:35PM, Guessses wrote:

Today, in my "Mood Management" class at the VA, one Veteran postulated the theory that "If your Spiritual you can't be suicidal"

I disagree but did not have the opportunity to discuss it.

What are your thoughts?

Peace,

Have you ever heard of "The Dark Night of the Soul" by St. John of the Cross? Have you ever heard of the sufferings of many saints? 

Sep 16, 2010 -- 3:34PM, nillawafer wrote:

Sep 16, 2010 -- 2:35PM, Guessses wrote:

Today, in my "Mood Management" class at the VA, one Veteran postulated the theory that "If your Spiritual you can't be suicidal"

I disagree but did not have the opportunity to discuss it.

What are your thoughts?

Peace,

Have you ever heard of "The Dark Night of the Soul" by St. John of the Cross? Have you ever heard of the sufferings of many saints? 

No. 

It is my understanding that all the major religions of the world oppose suicide.

At the same time, my reading of the lives of the all the great saints is that many of them were driven to suicidal thoughts.

So, while all the religions oppose suicide, they certainly acknowledge the great sufferings that exist in life.

I think broad statements like "you can't be spiritual if you are suicidal" are blurbs that do not cover anything more than can be covered in a blurb.  Shakespeare was suicidal.  So was Abraham Lincoln.  Both were extremely spiritual people.

But I do think it is a spiritual duty to try and fight off suicidal thoughts.

My uncle killed himself in the 80's.  It was horrible.

When depression gets very bad, in order to repel it, I think of various things:

- I think how horrible my friends and relatives will feel...and for years, if I kill myself.

- I think of my religious duty not to do it

- I think that a negative state of mind is the worst state of mind in which to make any decision.  That moods are like waves, they come and go...and that all I have to do is wait and the mood will pass.

Thanks for your contributions!

Peace,