Edgar Cayce responded to questions from over a hundred individuals regarding the causes of depression, and recommended relatively simple, natural therapies to address it.
Essentially, Cayce viewed depression as a literal “depressing” or inhibition of nerve impulse. In particular, he emphasized the visceral organs (i.e., stomach, liver, etc.) and sensory nervous system as playing key roles in some of the symptoms of depression, including disturbed sleep and appetite, sluggishness and listlessness, headaches, backaches, and more. Toxemia and glandular dysfunctions (most often the adrenal, thyroid and pineal) were also associated with depression.
Traumatic life events, loss of meaning in life and hopelessness are also cited in several cases as a cause of depression. Cayce typically referred to these factors as a failure to establish a spiritual ideal around which to center one’s life. This sense of spiritual malaise could lead to despair, negative mental patterns and eventually to the mild physical symptoms linked to depression.
To treat depression, the Cayce material recommends such therapies as osteopathic or chiropractic treatment, hydrotherapy, constructive mental attitudes, dietary suggestions, and exercise. A major strength of this treatment approach is that it tends to be relatively safe.
Basic Depression Treatment Plan according to Cayce
The following basic treatment plan is suitable for most cases of depression as well as an appropriate maintenance plan to reduce the likelihood of a relapse.
- Improving eliminations is a high priority since toxemia is as one of the most common factors associated with depression. Hydrotherapy (such as colonics and steam baths), osteopathy and chiropractic adjustments, massage, and a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and clean water are the main recommendations in this regard.
- Use of osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments and massage also assist in establishing better coordination between the central and peripheral nervous system. This is important since Cayce consistently portrayed the patho-physiology of depression as a “lapse in nerve impulse.”
- Moderate outdoor exercise for relaxation and improving eliminations.
- Setting ideals is an important intervention for establishing priorities. It is also an excellent means of recognizing and correcting dysfunctional attitudes and beliefs.
- Finally, the spiritual phase of the basic model encourages taking a broader perspective on the immediate situation. Altruistic service provides a sense of interpersonal connectedness which can be extremely therapeutic in the treatment of depression.
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By K. Lively
K. Lively works for the Association For Research and Enlightenment, founded by Edgar Cayce in 1931 for the research of transpersonal subjects such as holistic health, ancient mysteries, personal spirituality, dreams and dream interpretation, intuition, and philosophy and reincarnation.
Feature at https://therapeuticreiki.com.
I found your post very interesting – thank you. Edgar Cayce seemed to have a lot of success treating a wide range of different ailments including Depression which you have mentioned in your post. I recently stumbled across a book on his remedies and became really intrigued by the Castor Oil packs. I’m a holistic practitioner and recommend many different self-help techniques and remedies to clients and it would be great to include some of Edgar Cayce’s remedies.
I too am fascinated by Edgar Cayce’s work, and find his many simple healing ideas refreshing and encouraging. Actually, I find the whole Edgar Cayce phenomena empowering: a simple man becoming a doctor by mere state alteration. It is pretty incredible.