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Depression and Spiritual Progress · Sri Aurobindo Studies

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  We are all subject to the action of the three gunas or qualities
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  of nature. They are always shifting as they
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  shift. Our outlook, mood, physical
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  responsiveness, vital energy and mental framework all undergo
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  corresponding changes. None of the three gunas remains
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  constantly in the forefront. So there will be times when we
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  are ruled by sattva and other times by rajas or tamas.
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  When Thomas comes to the front, we can experience various forms
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  of dullness, fatigue, tiredness of body, vital force and mind.
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  Naturally, in such a status, it is easy to experience the state
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  of depression. Inner work needs to continue,
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  particularly the aspiration, patience and perseverance that
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  reminds us that there are brighter times ahead once the
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  Thomas lifts. During this time, the Sadhna
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  continues, even though on the surface we are not focused on
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  this or attending to it due to the influence of Thomas.
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  Once the Temasek energy shifts, we can observe the progress that
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  has taken place in the interim. As long as we remain under the
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  control of the Gunas, we remain fixed in the actions of the
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  nature procrity. If we shift to the standpoint of
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  the witness consciousness, we can create a space of separation
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  for ourselves whereby we can observe the play of the gunas
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  and the changing moods and energies that they bring to the
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  nature while remaining free and unaffected in our inner being.
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  The more we identify with this external being, the more we tend
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  to suffer as we undergo these constant changes and their
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  impact, the mother observes. Quote Depression is a sign of
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  weakness of a bad will somewhere, and bad will in the
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  sense of a refusal to receive help and a kind of weakness
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  that's content to be weak. One becomes slack.
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  The bad will is obvious because there's a part of your being
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  which tells you at that moment depression is bad.
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  You know that you shouldn't get depressed.
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  Well, the reply of that part which is depressed is almost
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  shut up. I want my depression.
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  Try, you will see. You can try.
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  It is always like that. And then later one says again
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  afterwards, afterwards. I shall see.
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  For the moment I want it. And besides, I have my reasons.
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  There you are. It is a kind of revolt, a weak
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  revolt, the revolt of something weak in the being when one comes
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  out of the depression in one's bad will.
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  Well, then one realizes that there was an attack and that
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  some progress had to be made, and that in spite of everything,
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  something within has made progress, that one has taken a
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  step forward, usually hardly consciously.
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  It is something which needs to progress but doesn't want to,
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  and so takes this way like a child who sulks, becomes low
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  spirited, sad, unhappy, misunderstood, abandoned,
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  helpless and then refusing to collaborate and as I just said,
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  indulging in his depression to show that he is not happy.
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  It is specially in order to show that one is not satisfied that
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  one becomes depressed. One can show it to nature, one
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  can show it. That depends on the case you
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  see. One can show it to the Divine,
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  one can show it to the people around 1:00, but it is always a
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  kind of way of expressing one's dissatisfaction.
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  I am not happy about what you demand that this means I am not
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  happy, and I shall make you see to it that I am not happy.
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  But when it is over, and when for some reason or other one has
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  made the necessary effort to come out of it and has come out,
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  when usually realized that something in the being has
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  changed. Because in spite of all bedwill,
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  most often the progress was accomplished not very swiftly,
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  not very brilliantly, not for one's greater glory, surely, but
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  still the progress was made. Something has changed.
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  End Quote. Reference Srioro Bindu and the
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  Mother, Looking from Within, Chapter 4, Ordeals and
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  Difficulties, pages 94 to 95.