Dhamma and addiction

[ben1980]

Hi Samsara. I'm an addict. The 12 step programs led me to Buddhism, specifically step 11. I don't know if you have even been through those types of programs, but everyday in NA meetings I heard "Just for today." It made no sense to me until I put step 11 and Buddhism together. I was clean 2 years and decided to study Buddhism. Now I'm clean 2 years 3 months and 2 days of any mind altering substance. I gave up my fellowship with NA and have found a greater bond with my own Buddha nature. In my own experience and opinion, any mind altering substance takes me farther away from and makes it more difficult to return to my Buddha nature. I wish for you the best.



Ben

[Nibbida]

Here's a 5-part lecture series on Buddhism and the 12 Steps:

http://www.audiodharma.org/teacher/67/

[bodom]

I gave up my fellowship with NA and have found a greater bond with my own Buddha nature.

Hi Ben

Curious as to why you left NA? To stop going to meetings is the first step to relapse. This can be extremely dangerous for addicts. Remember you are NEVER cured from the disease of addiction! It can only be managed through abstinence and group support. NA or AA is not to be used as a raft the way the Buddha's teachings are. I hope you reconsider the fellowship and I wish you all the best.

[ben1980]

I gave up my fellowship with NA and have found a greater bond with my own Buddha nature.

Hi Ben

Curious as to why you left NA? To stop going to meetings is the first step to relapse. This can be extremely dangerous for addicts. Remember you are NEVER cured from the disease of addiction! It can only be managed through abstinence and group support. NA or AA is not to be used as a raft the way the Buddha's teachings are. I hope you reconsider the fellowship and I wish you all the best.

You are right. Those words were chosen poorly. I was not endorsing leaving NA or AA. It may be my local chapter, but I never felt comfortable in meetings. I won't go into detail here. Thanks for your concern.

[TimM]

In addition to the talks linked above, there are some lectures I liked from Spirit Rock,

http://dharmaseed.org/talks/?q=recovery

At least one of these has what I thought was some very nice material on how a Buddhist might deal with the theistic language of the Steps and the Big Book and the program in general.

Tim M.

[Guy]

Remember you are NEVER cured from the disease of addiction! It can only be managed through abstinence and group support.

Maybe what you say is true for many people, but it doesn't apply to everyone. I used to be addicted to a harmful substance and I got clean by my own effort, never went to a group or anything. My interest in and practice of Buddhism surely helped me on the path to sobriety though. Now I am addicted to Dhamma.

[atulo]

Ven. Nanavira about addiction:
http://nanavira.xtreemhost.com/index.ph ... &Itemid=49

[Guy]

Ven. Nanavira about addiction:
http://nanavira.xtreemhost.com/index.ph ... &Itemid=49

Excellent article! Thanks for sharing it!