This is for mindlight, and anybody else who wants to discuss recovery. Once again, I really enjoyed the discussion on this thread.
http://exmormon.org/phorum/read.php?2,533177,533893#msg-533893
While I was doing a Google search for info on recovery from cults for a different thread, I ran in to this web site:
http://realisticrecovery.wordpress.com/2009/05/29/a-buddhists-non-theist-12-steps/

A Buddhist’s Non-Theist 12 Steps:
1. We admitted our addictive craving over alcohol, and recognized its consequences in our lives.
2. Came to believe that a power other than self could restore us to wholeness.
3. Made a decision to go for refuge to this other power as we understood it.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to ourselves and another human being the exact moral nature of our past.
6. Became entirely ready to work at transforming ourselves.
7. With the assistance of others and our own firm resolve, we transformed unskillful aspects of ourselves and cultivated positive ones.
8, Made a list of all persons we had harmed.
9. Made direct amends to such people where possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. In addition, made a conscientious effort to forgive all those who harmed us.
10. Continue to maintain awareness of our actions and motives, and when we acted unskillfully promptly admitted it.
11. Engaged through the practice of meditation to improve our conscious contact with our true selves, and seeking that beyond self. Also used prayer as a means to cultivate positive attitudes and states of mind.
12. Having gained spiritual insight as a result of these steps, we practice these principles in all areas of our lives, and make this message available to others in need of recovery.

I am for whatever works. So if this works, more power to you! Good luck in your journey.

T-Bone

Oh, TY! I have just read it twice... but I love it!

A power other than self <<<<< That's a keeper!

I am excited... so I am going to really look at this... I appreciate the way you are steering me to say it. You condensed it well. Kudos

I already will substitute "detrimental substances" for the word alcohol.... Oh but I like your simple format better.

It does help me to go over this stuff, I am going to give this more thought as soon as I quit obsessing on Gay Ex's post... lol

A project I embrace, again... thank you

Wait, a power other than self.... hmmm I need to think about that ...

all good.... must have coffee now

Oh I see now that I went to that link.... I had never googled it

still ty for that link, very good. I often speak too quickly... but I eventually "get it"

LOL @ self



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/10/2012 06:01PM by mindlight.

You need 1 step. Stop drinking.

It is a much simpler program.

Sometimes that is easier said than done..

fidget Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sometimes that is easier said than done..


As is the myth that the AA faith is effective in helping people stop the negative behavior of abusing alcohol. It is considered more difficult because of the promotion of the faulty 'disease' model of alcoholism by the AA faith and it profitable business arm, the recovery industry cartel.

AA helped my dad. He's been sober for about 26 years now. No, it's not for everyon, but I do know a few people it's helped.

The Mayo Clinic says it is a disease.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/

Others say it isn't.
Pick your expert.

Actually, I don't know and it wouldn't affect my treatment if I was told it was not a disease.

One of the best answers to the "disease theory of alcoholicm" I have heard is, "If it's a disease, why is there no cure?" In other words, why can't we make a pill that helps problem drinkers drink normally?

That is why I am (at this moment) inclined to think it is an allergy. The best treatment for an allergy that I can think of is abstinence. If I were allergic to nuts, I would not be looking for a way to eat them without an allergic reaction. I would just avoid them.

Of course, the anaology falls apart becauseeople who are allergic to nuts do nott have an obsession with learning how to have them without having the allergic reaction. And they are not plagued by immature behaviors or thought patterns that go with alcoholism.

T-bone

edited



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/10/2012 08:11PM by mindlight.

Thank you, T-Bone. Good stuff. I really like "unskillful aspects of ourselves." Honest yet compassionate.

edited



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/10/2012 08:08PM by mindlight.

Mindlight don't mind deco..

ok
ya... I need a break... time to eat

This is difficult for some of us as exmos. I will be the first one to say that I did not want any magical influences or invisible friends helping me for a long time.

If a person only needs one step, i.e. stop drinking, and goes on to live a useful, productive life, then that person is probably not an alcoholic. There is so much more to it, if there are consequences to drinking (marital, children, professional, legal) then there is a LOT more that needs to be done. For me, alcohol was just a symptom of a much bigger "living" problem.

If all my problems can be fixed by not drinking, I would not need AA. It takes up a few hours of my week, so I would definitely not go if I didn't think it helped.

Anyway, sincere best wishes to those recovering with Buddhist concepts. I think the steps from that web site are great, and they are internally consistent.

But I am definitely not an expert. In fact, the only reason I "broke" my anonimity here is that nobody knows my real name.

Thanks to the admins for allowing us to go O/T. I will try to stay on exmo topics now.

T-bone

((HUGS)) T-Bone