Thanks for sharing your own insight into this and for the material on meditation, yes... I will check it out although I'm pretty sure I've listened to some of those lectures already. I guess it never hurts to go over it again with a fresh set of eyes wide open.
I'm unsure if being born under the sign of Cancer contributes, however I'm quite aware of my emotional states, usually strongly which has led me to finally seek medical treatment in the form of anti-anxiety/anti-depression medication (SNRI to be specific) which has certainly helped to stabilize my mood swings and has provided distance from these emotions, giving me space to feel some relief when the stronger ones do arise.
I've "experimented" by stopping the medication, going through the withdrawals and then back to "baseline" and I can say for certain that for the time being this medication is necessary for my well-being, otherwise I'm overwhelmed.
Not quite sure how this will affect the practice, although I've found it much easier to sit with myself, by myself now without having to struggle so much.
Personally I'm not drawn towards any of the major religions, however spirituality in a more occult form has, it's what drew me into the Gnostic studies in the first place. Gnosis has assisted in helping me to develop an understanding and respectful attitude towards the core meaning of religion and its various forms, I just don't feel affinity to any of those systems if we could call them that.