A Reply

[Zencat]

Originally Posted by Starryknight

I'm curious what your "treatments" or treatment path consists of?

CBT, SMART Recovery and Zen philosophy have all acted as a addiction treatment program. Also each one has been very useful for offering guidance in life. Along with SR, F2F groups, meetings and peer support help me to grow in life as well.

Originally Posted by Starryknight

You mention secular spirituality. I don't see the BB as incompatible with that at all.

I don't think secular spirituality or even atheism is really incompatible with the program of AA. I see some SR members that have found a way to fit in with the AA program as atheist, agnostics and secular.

Originally Posted by Starryknight

What is difference between faith-based and secular spirituality paths?

To me faith-based recovery is 'relying'...maybe that not the right word but, seeking assistance from the supernatural. Secular spirituality or one key part is for me, gleaning insight from the experience of others. Alto these other people are extraordinary and offer much in the way of finding peace within as with extending it through the world around them.

Originally Posted by Starryknight

Do you see BB as faith based? I am sincerely interested iin anything that will help me recover.
Thanks!

IMO I do. There is plenty of emphasis on finding then relying on God to solve the problem of drink. The HP concept seems more like a after thought to appease the less Godly types.

I think taking a look at all the different post throughout SR can help with your recovery or treatment plan...however you like to phrase it Starry. I hope I could help and I'm willing to assist you further the best I can.

Be well.

[Starryknight]

Zencat,
You give me plenty to start with. I'm somewhat familiar with CBT and Zen Philosophy, but first Ive heard of Smart Recovery. I see how gleaning experience of others is in keeping with Buddhist thought. Religious science and Unity churches seem secular to me in this regard. I heard today that all paths lead to God. It seems we both see that "god" as internal...for me though, I sense being part of something much bigger than I. I don't know what it is other than power (love) but I think I can rely on it's power within me rather than outside (supernatural) of me.
I truly don't know what, or if, this power is right now. I only hope I can access it. I think there are levels, or dimensions. In one dimension I am in the hell of powerlessness and addiction. It seems a perceptual thing. Projecting that power onto a Santa Claus God is sort of an evolutionary stage some of us are in, a dimension also. Jesus said the kingdom is within and is here and now - we just can't see it. (once again another dimension)
Don't know where I'm going with this. All I know right now is the evidence that addiction/alcoholism is a disease that has me. I am powerless in the face of it. Just not using and drinking helps, but it isn't enough to stop the part of the disease that lies within my mind - my very thought process. I see that it requires vigorous vigilance (rigorous honesty?) to remain ahead of the disease. Letting up on constant awareness and action, which I did only under the extreme duress of multiple traumas and loss, means the disease took over once again and long before I picked up the first drink. My thinking became distorted and I resorted to primal survival instincts and behavior.
Seeing this in hindsight now, I feel a little hopeless.
Everything I thought I knew and learned in 20 + years recovery, my concept of God is of little or no use to me today.

[Zencat]

Here's the link to SMART Tools. They can help with the cognitive problems that keep addiction active.

Originally Posted by Starry

It seems we both see that "god" as internal...for me though, I sense being part of something much bigger than I

I feel connected with something bigger than me. That's the job of dissolving the ego that Buddhism speaks to me about. To know that I'm not just some isolated person cut off from everything.

I think the program of AA works to change ones reaction to life. Or at least that's my take on it. The transformation process works on the psychical level. I see that CBT and Zen dose the same for me. It changes my perspective on life, thus changing my reaction to life. Altering not only thought but behavior too.

Keep up your activity here at SR and look to find some F2F support in the outside world if you can. Also please do as much as you can to further develop an attitude of hope. I see hope as one of the most powerful energies one can tap into.

[ananda]

Everything I thought I knew and learned in 20 + years recovery, my concept of God is of little or no use to me today.

I've been "in recovery" (that is truley seeking to stay sober and clean) for 25 years. Sometimes the path seems clear, sometimes it seems like all the legs fall off.

Seeing this in hindsight now, I feel a little hopeless.

I wish I could claim 25 years sober, but I can't. But I do refuse to believe that I am hopeless. Please...each of us has a different path in life. Sorta that walk a mile in my shoes sorta thing...Just because you hit something and droped the ball so to speak, that doesn't mean you can't recover.

I once heard a speaker say..."a winner is a looser who never stops trying, I may never be a "winner" in AA but I will NEVER stop trying".

I hope you stick around SR and use this support to help you on your path (hug)

[Starryknight]

Ananda,

Thanks for your encouraging words.