Bodhi's Buddhist Non-Theistic 12 Steps

[digderidoo]

Thought i'd post this up that i've found.

BODHI'S BUDDHIST NON-THEISTIC 12 STEPS:

1. We admitted our addictive craving over alcohol/drugs/substance, and recognised 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 unskilful 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 unskilfuly promptly admitted it.
11. Engaged through the practise of meditation to improve our conscious contact with our true selves, and seeking that beyond self. Also used prayer as a means to cultivate postive attitudes and states of mind.
12. Having gained spiritual insight as a result of these steps, we practise these principles in all areas of our lives, and make this message available to others in need of recovery.

I sometimes have issues with other 12 step formula's. I feel that 12 step formula's are just an interpretation of the original AA steps, so therefore i tend to develop my own program. Of late though i have been having issues with the links of AA to the Oxford Group and the criticisms of Bill W.

I therefore wonder whether this type of 12 step formula would be more beneficial to me and my own philosophy and spiritual beliefs.

Paul

[tuffenuff]

Awesome! I love this, thanks for sharing!

[windysan]

I'd feel embarrassed mentioning my 2 Step program.

[sailorjohn]

No you wouldn't! Ya posted it in a thread the other day

[Boleo]

Let me see if I got this straight - Buddhist is "Non-Theistic"?

[Zencat]

It appears Bodhi the Buddhist is.

[Overman]

@ Boleo

My understanding on atheism vs non-theism...the former denies the existence of a theistic power, the latter simply considers it irrelevant.

One is affirming the absence of a deity, the other is ignoring the question altogether.

Zen Buddhism, for example, is commonly referred to as non-theistic in orientation.

[augustwest]

Excellent! I don't have a big problem with the 12 step language, but being buddhist your take is welcome. well done and thanks!

[ananda]

Missed this thread when in relapse...

The way it was explained to me....buddha didn't say there is a god and he didn't say there isn't....

He said it didn't matter

That always bothered me as an aithiest LMAO (i wish my smilies would work)

[SpeedyJason]

Well if it doesn't matter if there is a god or not, then why do some choose not to believe in one and some do? If it doesn't make a difference, I don't see the point either way. If it didn't matter we would ALL believe in not having a god or vice-versa.

[Zencat]

"The difference between theism and nontheism is not whether one does or does not believe in God. ... Theism is a deep-seated conviction that there's some hand to hold. ... Non-theism is relaxing with the ambiguity and uncertainty of the present moment without reaching for anything to protect ourselves. ... Nontheism is finally realizing there is no babysitter you can count on."
-Pema Chödrön

Personally I have yet to see some good cause to believe in G*d that made any sense to me. With that I turn to daily living in the 'now' and be at peace with that...all the wile distancing myself of any conceptions of G*d.