tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post8300607878598096071..comments2024-02-05T11:32:25.407-05:00Comments on I'm just F.I.N.E.-- Recovery in Al-Anon: Prayer and meditationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-84987042481920785612010-07-09T10:45:04.886-04:002010-07-09T10:45:04.886-04:00Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and the r...Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and the road to Him is narrow. Watch out for religions that teach that all streams empty into the same river. Doesn't anyone have a problem with (Buddha) a man who would claim to hear from god that he should leave his wife and days old son to follow the path of enlightenment?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07753413610144961799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-29909489718940054782010-07-09T10:37:37.469-04:002010-07-09T10:37:37.469-04:00I did study buddhism for a while. I found that th...I did study buddhism for a while. I found that the discipline helped me to center and meditate (very like the jesuit centering prayer traditions) but the principle of Karma left no room for grace and mercy which was clearly present in my life daily. It left no room for miracles, the truth of which I experience daily. It teaches discipline which I cannot achieve myself. I just couldn't be that self-disciplined and couldn't not participate in the world with it's people, couldn't stop desiring to be in contact with the world.<br /><br />It left me wanting more, where as the concepts I hold so dearly now, the ones I have grasped more fully as a result of the program of recovery found in the Big Book, well it brings joy and peace in connection with others flawed and fallible and all. It seemed (for me) that the buddhist traditions taught more of a peace in seperation from others and from worldly things, though I may have that completely wrong. I began my study of that long ago and I find that as in all things I don't know much.<br /><br />It just didn't bring me joy, but it did teach me some really great ideas and concepts. I understand there are those who do find a lot of peace and understanding there, and the concepts, the general concepts are quite good and fair.<br /><br />Good stuff to learn, some of the disciplines helped me considerably, I ultimately took another path.Jess Mistress of Mischiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766848582303523764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-82807453694347121062010-07-08T23:55:25.879-04:002010-07-08T23:55:25.879-04:00I have a good friend who goes to the Meditation in...I have a good friend who goes to the Meditation in Recovery group at the San Francisco Zen Center...<br /><br />http://news.sfzc.org/content/view/860/52/<br /><br />Also have another friend in recovery who sits zazen in New Jersey. And another friend in recovery who is a Buddhist monk at Green Gulch. ... Buddhism is harmonious with the 12 steps. <br /><br />http://www.dharmapunx.com/<br /><br />My way of approaching prayer and meditation is Quaker. Which is harmonious with Buddhism (and the 12 steps)... <br /><br />My general inclination is, if it resonates with my heart, I check it out.Guineverehttp://guineveregetssober.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-57539332133309664292010-07-08T19:27:16.687-04:002010-07-08T19:27:16.687-04:00When I talk to my husband about alanon, he can usu...When I talk to my husband about alanon, he can usually relate through the principals of budhism. He studied this in college and still meditates daily. There are a lot of similarities. I think you will learn a lot and really like it.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04382717273926292379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-47782611873937149782010-07-08T18:14:33.203-04:002010-07-08T18:14:33.203-04:00I don't have much experience with Buddism myse...I don't have much experience with Buddism myself, though I have a sponsee who is a Buddist. She even went to India and stayed at an Ashram there. We haven't talked about it much more than that. Would you like me to ask her to contact you? I'm sure she'd be glad to. If so, you can e-mail me at kathymgracecalling@gmail.com.<br /><br />As far as meditation goes, I found Elizabeth Gilbert's India section in "Eat, Pray, Love" to be very instructive. It helped me, though I am sure there are probably more authoritative texts.<br /><br />I hope you blog about your experiences.Kathy M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17266701533758183054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-3995559236839878372010-07-08T18:08:20.362-04:002010-07-08T18:08:20.362-04:00My deceased friend Douglas studied meditation tech...My deceased friend Douglas studied meditation techniques with a Buddhist and it was very helpful to him wih his AA journey.<br />When we traveled to Italy for a month he would often (during the day) take a few minutes to himself and he seemed to gain strength and peacefulness in that short time. <br />It was especially therapeutic to him during his bout with cancer and his final days.Ginniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12749133391349265563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-42286224007515175442010-07-08T15:05:22.146-04:002010-07-08T15:05:22.146-04:00I practice Centering Prayer as a meditation...but ...I practice Centering Prayer as a meditation...but have also done some reading w/r/t Buddhism and spent a weekend with Thich Naht Hahn in October (living Buddha, Living Christ is a wonderful book)...I think most spiritual teachings work very well with the 12 steps. That's the beauty of our program..we are not allied with any sect, denomination, etc. What's inside of you and what resonates with you is what's important.Kathy Lynnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12808513070742589781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-35655718675171149622010-07-08T15:01:39.992-04:002010-07-08T15:01:39.992-04:00I have studied many religions, and it is my belief...I have studied many religions, and it is my belief that the more we study and explore things that interest us the more our mind absorbs and the more we grow as human beings. The one thing I do not want to have is a closed mind. Good for you to venture out to something you have not done yet.CiCihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08615265608675467505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-73311287733562962112010-07-08T12:59:38.321-04:002010-07-08T12:59:38.321-04:00Along with the daily recovery-based meditation boo...Along with the daily recovery-based meditation book that I read each morning, I also read a story from the book, The Song of the Bird by Anthony de Mello. The book is a compilation of short stories from many sources both religious and nonreligious -Buddhist, Christian, Zen, Hasidic, Russian, Chinese, Hindu, Sufi. I just commented to my sponsor this week that while lovely to read, the stories that tell of how spiritual and serene monks and others that live in isolation from the world are, these stories are somewhat discouraging to me. If I lived alone without any ties or responsibilities to anyone and could spend 24/7 in prayer and meditation with God, I would be a little more serene, too - like you said you are on your boat. It is when we get back to the 'real world' that we have problems. I totally understand that. Regardless, it is a book I recommend. Good luck with your search.mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700941649031924777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-60743805976154065882010-07-08T12:56:32.833-04:002010-07-08T12:56:32.833-04:00I like Kevin Griffins book One Breath At A Time to...I like Kevin Griffins book One Breath At A Time to explain his view of the compatibility of Buddhism and the 12 steps. Through meditation and mindfulness I am better able to watch my mind go through it's craziness and then not act on all my old patterns. Learning I have choices of what actions I take in any given moment is freeing. <br />Without the program I wouldn't have the where with all to sit in a room with a large group of people...ugh<br />One day at a time...sometimes one secondDi-Githttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10770400058372063740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-38348745873779403122010-07-08T12:36:54.167-04:002010-07-08T12:36:54.167-04:00i have actually read several books by budistd...ki...i have actually read several books by budistd...kind of along the same lines of thought, to further explore my relationship with God..i have ound some of the meditative practices and explorations of peace to be very meaningful...Brian Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722940075884718007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-39907980753394109372010-07-08T12:07:12.130-04:002010-07-08T12:07:12.130-04:00Oh, there is definitely a connection. My husband i...Oh, there is definitely a connection. My husband is resistant to Al-Anon but has been taking these classes for a month or so and we're finding all kinds of commonalities. Enjoy mulling it!Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10037395066873175835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-8970225125820298032010-07-08T10:47:41.968-04:002010-07-08T10:47:41.968-04:00I took a meditation 'class' at a Buddhist ...I took a meditation 'class' at a Buddhist center the last time I worked on step 11 and it was very rewarding. I think there are a lot of different Buddhist traditions and approaches to meditation, but the one I was introduced to was the basic 'sitting still, breathing, clearing you mind and being present' kind. What really benefited me, I think, was that by committing to the class and going regularly I got in the habit of meditating and was able to keep that up after the class was over.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-28231739458700020412010-07-08T08:59:01.049-04:002010-07-08T08:59:01.049-04:00The Buddha found the teachings while meditating, s...The Buddha found the teachings while meditating, showing us that God dwelling within us will show us all the answers. How can you go wrong with that?Scott Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06361224878660334532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-38277638379609523002010-07-08T08:38:47.301-04:002010-07-08T08:38:47.301-04:00It's funny but just last night it came to me t...It's funny but just last night it came to me that the very idea of being powerless is a very Buddhist concept. I have no idea why the thought struck me.Ms. Moonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09776404747858099919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-15305957281772570712010-07-08T08:30:37.005-04:002010-07-08T08:30:37.005-04:00Wow, thank you for that reading. I haven't do...Wow, thank you for that reading. I haven't done any Buddism work but I want to. Now you have me interested in seeing what I can find in Houston. I love to pray and meditate and is what has helped me in my recovery like I never thought it would.Garykfchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13279286383370540009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-50183399415884234222010-07-08T06:44:21.915-04:002010-07-08T06:44:21.915-04:00Hi, by coincidence ( :) )a Buddhist friend sent me...Hi, by coincidence ( :) )a Buddhist friend sent me this recently. <br /><br />http://www.cambridgebuddhistcentre.com/resources/files/Spring_2010.pdf<br /><br />Scroll to page 4. My friend knows the author and has heard her story.<br /><br />I am Christian and I meditate in the Christian tradition using a mantra or breathing focus. Christianity has an ancient and living traditon of meditation (contemplative prayer) and healing. Unfortunately it is not well known. <br /><br />If anyone is interested here is a Christian Meditation site for 11th steppers.<br /><br />http://www.christianmeditation11step.org/DaisyAnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12680034482022415405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-23337691479337142052010-07-08T03:08:56.361-04:002010-07-08T03:08:56.361-04:00No Buddhist lessons from me, just good wishes for ...No Buddhist lessons from me, just good wishes for you.Enchanted Oakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14815997287116818456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-58398024398357660712010-07-08T01:37:09.903-04:002010-07-08T01:37:09.903-04:00Actually, I am exploring Mormonism to become a bet...Actually, I am exploring Mormonism to become a better being. I have a fairly good understanding of Buddhism. To me, in essence all religions speak of the same. If one chooses to follow them with utmost sincerity you can reach the most cleansed stage.Opaquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01673267899145564334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904990175885851041.post-34092233836304126352010-07-08T01:33:40.592-04:002010-07-08T01:33:40.592-04:00Syd this is very interesting -- I worked in therap...Syd this is very interesting -- I worked in therapy with someone who had studied the Theravada tradition for decades and through her I read Stephen Batchelor's Buddism without Beliefs, a more secular understanding of Buddism as a right-thinking methodology without believing in reincarnation etc.Mary LAhttp://louisey.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com