Q. How to overcome depression and stress?

A. Srila Prabhupada was once asked if we his disciples were hippies… he responded by saying, “No we are happys” Yes this Bhakti Yoga is the best process for reviving our original joyful nature. Ananda maya byasat, means our nature is full of bliss. The direct means of connecting to this nature is by chanting Hare Krishna. I personally find that chanting in the kirtan with as many devotees as possible is the best way of getting out of depression. Of course chanting on our beads is also blissful.

Serving the devotees and the Lord, remembering the devotees and the Lord, praying to them any of the nine processes of devotion can lift us out of our material consciousness or ignorance. Studying Srila Prabhupada’s books carefully and associating with his followers one will gradually become enlivened in one’s constitutional position of happiness.