On the “lighter” side

The counseling department of the University of Maha Maya announces a special weekend course in Creative Suffering

(Twelve Proven Techniques to Help you Become Depressed)

1. Dwell on past mistakes and failures. This is most effective when you focus on things which cannot be changed.

2. Set unrealistic expectations for yourself and others. Expect perfection now! This way you can guarantee failure.

3. Constantly compare yourself with others. To get the most out of this technique compare your worst traits with their best.

4. Avoid all involvement and responsibility. It will be unwise to try something new and risk success and satisfaction.

5. Remain negative and problem oriented. Spend all energy and effort you can criticizing and judging yourself and others. There are always faults to be found if you look long enough.

6. Allow yourself to be controlled by people and circumstances. This way you can dislike yourself for being weak and others for controlling you.

7. Internalize and personalize the problems of others. Believe that you are somehow to blame and you should have the responsibility to make it right.

8. Don’t forgive yourself for anything. You deserve to be unhappy. To really suffer, hold long and deep grudges against yourself as a further proof of your unworthiness.

9. Seek isolation and avoid contact with those who care about you. Be cautious and reject any help offer.

10. Do everything you can to please others. Believe that your personal value depends on their acceptance of you. You might find that compromising your standards and values for someone else will help you feel even worse.

11. Base your worth as a person on external things. View such things as “how you look” (appearance), “what you can do” (performance), and “what you have” (possessions), as a measure of your personal value.

12. Forget serving the servant of the servant as often as you can.

Refreshments will be provided. Please wear uncomfortable clothes.