[BoattyGonm]

I think that what has helped with depression is just the acknowlegement that "it's just a thought". Do not invest emotions into thoughts. Don't get tangled in your own thinking. Don't try to control the future. And most of all, don't beat yourself up if you are depressed, and that depression is mostly a constant negative judgement thoughts of your other thoughts, including your depression thoughts!

hi Truelotus

To me, you are doing 'emptiness' training here, which is not clinging to thoughts, not identifying strongly with thoughts and, most of all, seeing thoughts as just thoughts. To see 'thoughts as thoughts', to see 'mind as mind', is emptiness training.

What am I doing wrong! I have been meditating at least 20 minutes, usually 40 for almost two years. OK, I don't get panic attacks anymore, but am often smitten by depression and negtive thinking.

To me, you have made alot of success. Your mind thru meditation has learned to trust in itself. This is very important. You and your mind have learned there is no need for panic; there is really nothing to fear. This comes from the mind being in touch with itself.

To find alot of joy in dhamma, one must trust alot, the mind must trust alot, and practise the path fully.

But still, to find all-pervasive joy is not the easiest thing to do. It requires alot of work, alot of trust, it requires endurance.

Kind regards

Element