"That opportunity to make your own meaning is an incredible one if you choose to accept it. If you don't, it's not, and depression/nihilism results."

This is not true. There are meditative practices where you end up passing through depression and nihilism, but those are still forms of the ego trying make itself known, clinging to it's existence. This is similar to the Five Stages of Grief, where you are not yet at acceptance and equanimity.