God and Meditation Part Three

So far we have looked at building your own concept of a higher power, having a conscious contact with a higher power, and touched a little on meditation. Today were going to take a deeper look into the concept of meditation and what it can do for us. There is so much to be said about this subject. Meditation is such a personal thing and there are many different ways that people can and do meditate. For example Buddhists pursue meditation as part of the path toward enlightenment and nirvana. Some of their meditation practices include breath meditation, over fifty methods for developing mindfulness and forty for developing concentration as well as thousands of visualization meditations. Christian meditation is generally the process of deliberately focusing on specific thoughts (e.g. a biblical scene involving Jesus and the Virgin Mary) and reflecting on their meaning in the context of the love of God. Christian meditation contrasts with cosmic styles of eastern meditation as radically as the portrayal of God the father in the Bible contrasts with discussions of Krishna or Brahman in Indian teachings. Unlike eastern meditations, most styles of Christian meditations do not rely on the repeated use of mantras, but are intended to stimulate thought and deepen meaning. Christian meditation aims to heighten the personal relationship based on the love of God that marks Christian communion. Within Hinduism There are many schools and styles of meditation. Yoga is generally done to prepare one for meditation, and meditation is done to realize union of one’s self .The Jewish mystical tradition, kabbalah, is inherently a meditative field of study. Traditionally Kabbalah is only taught to orthodox Jews over the age of forty. Corresponding to the learning of Kabbalah are its traditional meditative practices, as for the Kabbalist, the ultimate purpose of its study is to understand and cleave to the Divine. While there is many forms of meditation out there (kriyas, deep thought, breath meditation, silence, prayer, visual meditaion, etc.) it all seems to boil down to one thing a source or power greater than ourselves. recovered alcoholics may choose one, or several of the above options along with other ones not listed but our purpose is not only a means to get closer to our higher power but for us it’s a part of how we stay alive after receiving alcohol addiction help not just spiritually but physically as well. It is our 11th step. When we go through AA, a Los Angeles rehab, or any drug rehab in California we get the opportunity to learn how to be comfortable with ourselves, be alone, and gain several other tools that will help us on our path toward finding a way to meditate that’s right for us. There have been some alcoholics who have tried all forms of meditation. There is no wrong way provided we keep at it and it brings us a sense of peace and grounds us.

God and Meditation Part Two

“In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for the inspiration, an intuitive thought or decision. We relax and take it easy. We don’t struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while.” pg 86 Into Action from the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Yesterday we talked about coming up with our own concept of our higher power and what that looked like. Today let’s take a look at meditation and the role your higher power plays in that. Many of us might have a hard time with meditation when we first got sober. This makes sense considering our need or reasoning behind seeking alcohol addiction help probably didn’t stem from our constant meditation practices or the constant state of peace we were in. Many of us were spiritually bankrupt when we got sober and couldn’t even believe in ourselves, let alone a higher power or some guy in the sky belief system. Eventually we learned /came to believe this through doing the work at 30 day rehab programs, on our own, AA, or other California rehab centers. Regardless of where we found our higher power the important thing is that we found a power as that’s an imperative part of working the steps as well as meditation. The incentive of meditation is different for man. Some of us just wants peace. Some of us want a conscious contact with their higher power, and many of us want both. Meditation has several benefits and is vital in our recovery. According to our 11th step it’s not just a time for us to sit silently and reflect but also a time set aside for reviewing our day, and sitting still waiting for answers on what Gods will is for us.

God and Meditation Part One

“Much has already been said about receiving strength, inspiration, and direction from him who has all knowledge and power. If we have carefully followed directions, we have begun to sense the flow of his spirit into us to some extent we have become God conscious. We have begun to develop this vital sixth sense, but we must go further and that means more action. Step 11 suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn’t be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men then we are using it constantly. It works if we have the proper attitude and work at it.” Pgs 85-86 Into Action from the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

We have come into AA and receive alcohol addiction help we may read or hear people talking about god and depending on our previous experiences we may have a negative reaction or thought around it. Just to hopefully clarify AA and other drug addiction detox are not religious based programs but rather spiritually based programs unless otherwise specified form the drug addiction facility in LA. Those of us who have been in recovery for a while encourage the people that are newly sober to create their own concept of a higher power. All that is suggested is that it’s not another person and that it is a source of love and something you believe can carry you through any rough spots, as well as something bigger than yourself. Ultimately we want you to find a higher power of your own understanding. Your concept of a higher power is something that can continue to grow as you do and becomes such a valuable and amazing gift.

Making Changes for a Better Life Through Sobriety

Sometimes we have to give up everything we know for the hope of something better. That’s exactly what sobriety is about. When we first get sober either through AA, or a drug rehab facility in LA most of us are afraid of the unknown and what our lives will look like. Most of us live in fear that it won’t work and we will never be able to stay sober and if we are able to then what? What if our lives are boring because were sober and what if we can’t have any more fun in life? After receiving alcohol addiction help, taking the first step, and going to an addiction program in Los Angeles we come to find that the opposite is true. There is tons of fun to be had in sobriety. We have also seen time and time again several success stories. We’ve seen homeless people become doctors, thieves become honest bankers, addicts become therapists, and helpless drunks turn their lives around and make something of themselves. In other words we’ve seen nothing short of miracles happen on a constant basis. We’ve seen people that should be dead recover and live amazing lives. Through seeing this and through having our own experience we begin to see that not only are we going to be ok but we are going to be able to have fun and stay sober. When we make the decision to start living this lifestyle we begin to see that the skies the limit. Our dreams are no longer just dreams they are reality waiting to happen. Dreams without action = fantasy but through getting sober we can finally find enough courage and strength to take that action and make the most out of our lives.

Alcoholism, Agnosticism, and the Question of Faith

“Arrived at this point, we were squarely confronted with the question of faith.  We couldn’t duck the issue; some of us had already walked far over the bridge of reason toward the desired shore of faith.  The outlines and the promise of the new land had brought luster to tired eyes and fresh courage to flagging spirits.  Friendly hands had stretched out in welcome.  We were grateful that reason had brought us so far but somehow we couldn’t quite step ashore. Perhaps we had been leaning too heavily on reason that last mile and we did not like to lose our support.  That was natural but let us thinks a little more closely.  Without knowing it, had we not been brought to where we stood by a certain kind of faith?” –pg 53 We Agnostics from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

There are times in sobriety that require a great deal of courage and faith.  For example when we first seek alcohol addiction help and make the decision to get sober or other life changes such as going to a drug rehab in California, getting a new job, moving or starting a family.  Whatever it is, change usually requires a great amount of courage and faith.  Faith that everything will be okay and that there is something better for us on the other side if we just walk through the fear.  Through AA and measures we take after drug addiction detox, we learn how to practice faith and courage. We learn that through the use of the steps and a higher power we can walk through almost any situation with grace and dignity if we choose.  We also learn to live life on life’s terms knowing that everything is exactly how it should be in that moment.  Once we have the experience with a situation we never have to be fearful of it or the unknown again.  For issues relating to our sobriety this is a great way to build up a defense against the first drink, kind of like insurance.  For example, we build experience with staying sober one day at a time.  We now know how to stay sober and it is no longer a scary foreign concept for us anymore but rather a part of our everyday life.

Uncovering the Alcoholic Ego

“Our eyes begin to open to the immense values which have come straight out of painful ego puncturing.” –Step 7  pg. 74 from the Twelve and Twelve

When we first receive alcohol addiction help and get sober many of us have a huge ego that we might not even be aware of. We are some of the most entitled people. We are either feeling less than or greater than others because as ourselves we are not enough but When we go to a 30 day rehab or AA a shift happens. After drug addiction detox we learn how to live life sober. When we work the steps we become “right sized”. We no longer have to act on fear and ego. We cease fighting everything and everyone because we don’t need to .We are able to see beyond our wants and needs, we are able to see the bigger picture, and what is best for us and our fellows as opposed to just us. We can start looking at how everyone can win instead of just being out to get ours. As a result of this we gain a beautiful and fulfilling life full of amazing friends. Our broken friendships are repaired, and we are finally right with ourselves and our higher power. Things come together in ways unimaginable, and we lose interest in ourselves and gain interest in our fellows. This is beneficial at every stage of our sobriety because when I’m worried or concerned with you and your life then I’m not wrapped up with me and my problems and can finally experience peace.

Blessings in Sobriety, Part Two

When we get sober most of us have resentments we have held on to our whole lives. Many of us are not too happy about being an alcoholic and feel like we were dealt a bad hand. While others may have a hard time seeing past the difficulties of staying sober after receiving alcohol addiction help. Shortly after getting sober either by ourselves or through some sort of California alcohol rehab we are able to clean up our wreckage and the fog begins to lift. Either through AA or an addiction program in Los Angeles we are shown how to work the steps, and begin to feel relief. After working the steps we can then go on to live happy, joyous, and free lives. As it says in the big book we are rocketed into the fourth dimension of existence. As a result of our freedom we are finally able to know what happiness is in the truest sense of the word and are able to see how blessed we are. Often times we look at our glass as half empty only being able to see what we don’t have or the opportunities we have missed out on but what we don’t understand is that those things we don’t have, those missed opportunities , or those moments we don’t get what we want are actually blessings. They are blessings because it just means that our higher power is making room for something far greater than any little plans we might have made for ourselves. As its said in AA “if you want to make God laugh make plans.”

Learning About Alcoholism and Struggles in Sobriety at Rehab Programs in California

“These men were not drinking to escape; they were drinking to overcome a craving beyond their mental control. There are many situations which arise out of the phenomenon of craving which cause men to make the supreme sacrifice rather than continue to fight.” – pg xxx of the Doctors Opinion from the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

While it is nothing compared to what we endured while we were drinking and using we can still experience struggles after seeking alcohol addiction help and getting sober. Some of these are life struggles but many times in the beginning of our recovery our main struggle is staying sober. It might seem impossible to stay sober but through taking contrary action like reading drug rehab blogs or looking into rehab programs in California we find we do not have to go through it alone. We are not here to suffer. It is often said in AA meetings that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. This is so true. As alcoholics we have a tendency to turn struggles into suffering especially when we aren’t given the tools. We have an inability to cope with life on life’s terms and things don’t look the way we want them too. We have a hard time with reality, and staying in the moment. We are constantly either seeking elevated moods or wallowing in morbid reflection. Alcoholics are either desperately trying to kill themselves or desperately trying to survive. Not just physically but mentally also. Through the recovery process we become right sized. Our problems become right sized. We learn to be happy with what we have and ok or even grateful for what we don’t have.

Fear and Sobriety (Part 2)

Many of us experience fear around many different things. It can either be healthy or unhealthy. Healthy fear is when it’s used as a defense mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus such as pain or the threat of danger. There are also common fears such as fear of death, the unknown, and fears in cultures. Alcoholics can also add fear of failure and fear of success to this list. Unhealthy fear is when it is not based in reality and keeps you from living life. For us alcoholics especially in the grips of our disease we can find the fear paralyzing. Not knowing what is going to happen, or fear of not being able to get sober often times stops us from getting alcohol addiction help. When we overcome those fears and decide to get sober we are faced with new fears such as can I do this on my own? Is there an affordable rehab I can go to? or would a 30 day rehab and drug addiction detox program be best for me? Once we make that choice then the life fears along with reality start to set in. How do we live life? Will we ever be happy again? What do I do with myself? Who am I? Etc. The great fact for us is that through getting sober and working the steps we find a higher power of our own understanding and while there is fear from time to time it’s never paralyzing like it was when we were using because we have faith and are taken care of.

Fear and Sobriety (Part 1)

“Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self seeking, and self-pity”-pg 62 How it works from the big book of alcoholics anonymous

“The greatest enemies of us alcoholics are resentments, jealousy, envy, frustration, and fear.” -pg 145 to employers

It is natural to have fear around the unknown as well as seeking out alcohol addiction help and getting sober. It is a huge life change and we are asked to give up the only life we know and have faith in something we have very little or no experience with. Sometimes we have to give up the things we have that are no longer working for us just for the hope of something better. If we are having trouble with overcoming our fear a 30 day rehab can help. Though the recovery process might still seem difficult through the help of a drug addiction detox your goal of getting/staying sober will feel more attainable. Once we are sober and see these new tools working for us we can begin to have more faith and a new found ability to walk through fear, regardless of what our fear is based off of. Many alcoholics live in constant fear when we get sober. It s an emotion that is familiar to us. While fear is something that will inevitably pop up at one point or another in our lives, regardless of being sober or not it no longer has to be debilitating and run our lives/actions. The more we walk through fear the less fear we will have. We can then begin to decide what we do with it. Do we let it hold us back from living life and miss out on amazing opportunities, or do we power through and prove to ourselves that we are taken care of no matter what and see what we are capable of? The choice is ours!