Two books on Addiction Recovery
Two books on Addiction Recovery
I read these books because someone dear to me is dealing with addiction issues, but in reading them I discovered that we are ALL addicts to self, thoughts, emotions, and to the conditioned behavior of grasping and aversion; and that facing our addictions is the beginning of recovery. The CSS library contains these and other books in its “Recovery” section. -- Mora Fields
Having come to the 12-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous after 20 years of alcohol and drug addiction, the author was stunned by the magnitude and import of Step One, admitting to powerlessness.
Liquorman says that initially this admission pertains only to the addictive behavior, but offers the opportunity to discover our powerlessness in everything, and that “The next eleven Steps comprise a magnificent blueprint for turning this initial opening into an enduring reality.” He devotes a chapter to each of the Twelve Steps.
The admission of powerlessness brought him to teacher Ramesh Balsekar and Advaita teachings. This book honors both teachings, Advaita and the Twelve Steps, and shows them to be offering very much the same teachings. “For me, today, the ordinary and extraordinary are the same thing, as are the spiritual and material, as are me and the other. I consider this spiritual recognition of the ‘One in the many’ to be the spiritual awakening spoken of both in the Twelve Steps and in Advaita.”
Scott Kiloby was an addict for 20 years. Among his addictions were drugs, alcohol, money, food, success, and the quest for enlightenment. The key to his recovery was his discovery that “Freedom from addiction is already contained in the one place an addict refuses to look — the present moment.” This discovery inspired several books, videos, and his Natural Rest for Addiction Center in California.
The practice of Natural Rest is central to Kiloby’s recovery program. This practice is a very short, very simple way of resting in presence, and should be undertaken often during the day. I find it very similar to Joel’s 3-breath meditation*. It’s a simple letting go of doing anything, making any effort, for a few seconds at a time, and resting in the present moment.
Kiloby also offers practices called “Living Inquiries,” which can be done alone or with a facilitator. Inquiries are made into emotions (bodily sensations), images, and words that arise around a particular issue. The inquiries can undo the “Velcro effect” that binds sensations, words and pictures together. There are Natural Rest/Living Inquiry groups and facilitators available locally.
I read this book to try to understand someone else’s addiction problem, and was amazed to see how it addressed my own addiction to beliefs and emotions. I’ve found the practices extremely helpful.
The only criticism I have is that this book could have been better organized and needs an index.
*World's shortest meditation, designed by Joel: With the first breath, relax the body; with the second breath, relax the mind; with the third breath, relinquish all effort.
-- reviewed by Mora Fields
NOTE: Two additional recovery books will be reviewed in an upcoming post: Refuge Recovery by Noah Levine and Beyond Recovery by Fred Davis
I read these books because someone dear to me is dealing with addiction issues, but in reading them I discovered that we are ALL addicts to self, thoughts, emotions, and to the conditioned behavior of grasping and aversion; and that facing our addictions is the beginning of recovery. The CSS library contains these and other books in its “Recovery” section. -- Mora Fields
The Way of Powerlessness: Advaita and the 12 Steps to Recovery
by Wayne Liquorman
Advaita Press, Redondo Beach, California, 2012. 137 pp.Having come to the 12-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous after 20 years of alcohol and drug addiction, the author was stunned by the magnitude and import of Step One, admitting to powerlessness.Liquorman says that initially this admission pertains only to the addictive behavior, but offers the opportunity to discover our powerlessness in everything, and that “The next eleven Steps comprise a magnificent blueprint for turning this initial opening into an enduring reality.” He devotes a chapter to each of the Twelve Steps.
The admission of powerlessness brought him to teacher Ramesh Balsekar and Advaita teachings. This book honors both teachings, Advaita and the Twelve Steps, and shows them to be offering very much the same teachings. “For me, today, the ordinary and extraordinary are the same thing, as are the spiritual and material, as are me and the other. I consider this spiritual recognition of the ‘One in the many’ to be the spiritual awakening spoken of both in the Twelve Steps and in Advaita.”
Natural Rest for Addiction
by Scott Kiloby
Scott Kiloby was an addict for 20 years. Among his addictions were drugs, alcohol, money, food, success, and the quest for enlightenment. The key to his recovery was his discovery that “Freedom from addiction is already contained in the one place an addict refuses to look — the present moment.” This discovery inspired several books, videos, and his Natural Rest for Addiction Center in California.The practice of Natural Rest is central to Kiloby’s recovery program. This practice is a very short, very simple way of resting in presence, and should be undertaken often during the day. I find it very similar to Joel’s 3-breath meditation*. It’s a simple letting go of doing anything, making any effort, for a few seconds at a time, and resting in the present moment.
Kiloby also offers practices called “Living Inquiries,” which can be done alone or with a facilitator. Inquiries are made into emotions (bodily sensations), images, and words that arise around a particular issue. The inquiries can undo the “Velcro effect” that binds sensations, words and pictures together. There are Natural Rest/Living Inquiry groups and facilitators available locally.
I read this book to try to understand someone else’s addiction problem, and was amazed to see how it addressed my own addiction to beliefs and emotions. I’ve found the practices extremely helpful.
The only criticism I have is that this book could have been better organized and needs an index.
*World's shortest meditation, designed by Joel: With the first breath, relax the body; with the second breath, relax the mind; with the third breath, relinquish all effort.
-- reviewed by Mora Fields
NOTE: Two additional recovery books will be reviewed in an upcoming post: Refuge Recovery by Noah Levine and Beyond Recovery by Fred Davis