Buddhism and the Twelve Steps

[digderidoo]

Kevin Griffin has produced a series of lectures that is mp3 downloadable on the following link

Buddhism and the Twelve Steps

I would recommend this to anyone that is having difficulty particularly with a higher power.

Paul

[ananda]

bill,Buddha and We is also good material.

When I was first in the program it helped me to go to the library and read up on many different kinds of spiritual paths that are out there.

The 12 steps are fairly compatable with most of the different spiritual paths that are followed. (oh that is IMO).

[bballdad]

I usually try and keep religion out of my 12 steps-seems to work better for me

[ananda]

Its interesting because that seems to be true for so many, yet I have only been able to stay sober by bringing the two together... Not critizising at all b, I really think its strange that it can be so different for different people.

[doorknob]

Isn't Buddhism more of a philosophy than a religion?

[ananda]

I understand that it can be considered either.

[bballdad]

not knocking any religion,but it is one of the worlds 5 biggest religions,and a friend of mine has benefited rather well by using some of it in addition to his step work

[sugErspun]

I have listened to Kevin's talks - I quite enjoyed them.

Noah Levine also has a great series on his website - dharmapunx.com - mp3 section of course.

[bballdad]

I have tried the Zen mediation some before and Shambala(sp?)

[Spiritual Seeker]

Read this book a few yrs. back and think it is great. Thanks for the link to his web page.
Glad I checked in today

[Tazman53]

Although I am far from being religous, as I have grown in the program I have become able to see the good far better in all religions, the top level of what one is to be like in most religions are all basically the same, love and tolerance of our fellows.

[Mala09]

Great link -- I think of Buddhism as a methodology of right living, but have a fairly eclectic practie. What I find helpful is the focus on the present and the mindfulness.

love & peace

Mala

[zendust]

Thanks for the link, dig.

Can't go wrong with what you practice Mala. I work at that kind of attention as well.

Gassho

[Zencat]

Originally Posted by doorknob

Isn't Buddhism more of a philosophy than a religion?

I have heard Buddhism described as religion of the mind.

[stone]

I am listening to one of them now, "God, the Buddha and the 12 steps", it is good.

[beingjenagain]

I am presently reading The Zen of Recovery. I just started so no great input yet but after reading A Million Little Pieces my interest was raised. I can't get enough of recovery biographies these days.

[sugErspun]

A million little pieces - yikes. That can be a dangerous piece of reading for an alcoholic.

I read it before the truth came out that it was ficticious- even then I wondered how in the world that guy stayed sober. Was in a residential rehab shortly after (I do not blame the book in any way), but I got to talking to a guy about books- this one came up. That led to the first time anyone pulled out the big book and explained to me the difference between the hard drinker and the alcoholic - by having me read that part of the book (Alcoholics Anonymous) aloud and discussing "What are they saying here?"

There is a difference between me and Mr Frey - maybe not on outside circumstance, but inside where I find my alcoholism alive and well no matter how bad I want to be rid of it.

[jimhere]

Thanks for sharing that link. Although I am not a Buddhist, I have been incorporating Buddhist practices into my prayer life.
Jim