Both 12-Step Recovery programs and Buddhist practice promote the idea of having a spiritual awakening. How they go about it is different. The basic concept of 12-Step Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous are A) finding and developing our understanding of a “Higher Power”; B) cleaning house; and C) being of service to others. This involves working the steps with a sponsor, attending meetings, mutual sharing of our stories, and building community.
In Buddhist practice, the emphasis is on the threefold training (or “three baskets”). A practice that utilizes virtue & ethical conduct, developing inner peace, and, being of clear mind, realizing the true nature of the human condition, which is common to all living things.
So both sobriety/recovery and Buddhist mediation have the same goal, to be free of suffering.
In AA it is suggested that One practices the steps in order. We like the idea of getting sober (getting the problems to go away) but most of us avoid the actual work to get us there and maintains it. That is why this process usually starts off by one “hitting a bottom”, for, in doing so, our motivation is clear. We then awaken to the path that unfolds before us. We begin to hear the message, start taking the steps.
With Buddhism, this is the same. The principal teaching of the Buddha is of the Four Noble Truths; 1) that there is suffering in life, 2) that there is a cause to this suffering, 3) that there is an end to suffering and 4) the path to ending suffering, which is the path that leads us to a full awakening. If we stick with it.
This path is multifaceted and leaves no stone unturned. It involves looking at how we view our world as this is how we set our intentions, which leads to how we act, how we interact, what we do, the effort we put into our practices, learning to observe our inner workings, and developing this practice to its fruition. That is the carrot.
The stick is meditation. Not just any old type of meditation but one that develops both calm and insight. On the most basic level this means being mindful and holding ones experience with compassion. Without mindfulness we would no know where we are going or what we were doing. We would be pulled around by life’s ups and down without any ground to stand on.
And, given our judgmental driven society that promotes instant gratification and constant busyness in order to sooth our difficulties, we need to hold ourselves in the gentle arm of compassion. Truly caring for our own wellbeing, and not in a selfish way. Caring for how we hold ourselves and how we treat others. Learning to be kind to ourselves for the path is not an easy one. These are only two aspects of a deeper practice
Marin Mindful Recovery is designed to assist anyone who feels they want to recover, be it from substance abuse, a traumatic history, or living with pain either physical or mental. We are working to empower you to augment and deepen the recovery process, just as one might do by going to church or getting therapy, or reading self-help books. Through this practice of mindfulness and meditation, and coming into contact with the teachings we learn to become our own teachers.
In the pages that follow we will hope to clarify this process, to shine the light on various connected spiritual principals, and to provide an avenue for discussion on related topics as they arise.
In the near future we will offer a drop-in meditation class which will offer anyone interested in being part of a sangha the chance to practice with others, to hear teachings, and to ask questions.
