Kevin Griffin Interview - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

recycle · 03-24-2011, 09:12 AM

Kevin Griffin, author of Buddhism and the 12 Steps interviewed on the Secular Buddhist Blog. I found the interview worth my time. If anyone has read his new book Burning Desire I would love to hear what you thought.

damselfly · 03-24-2011, 11:26 AM

Thank you! That was the perfect thing for me to listen to this morning. His book on Buddhism and the 12 steps has been helpful to me in trying to see the 12-step programs from a different perspective. I have not yet read the other book, but it does sound interesting.

Boleo · 03-26-2011, 01:43 PM

The Spirituality of Addiction and Recovery | Transcript [Speaking of Faith® from American Public Media]

"In his book One Breath at a Time, Kevin Griffin describes the first three of the Twelve Steps as the surrender steps -

Ms. Tippett: And what's really fascinating to me as I read your work is how you — you live with — if I can put it this way with these different sacred texts, which is the teachings of the Buddha and the Big Book.

Mr. Griffin: Mm-hmm.

Ms. Tippett: Something that I'm quite aware of is how there are some real problems with the language of the Twelve Steps in a modern Western imagination, right?

Mr. Griffin: You noticed that."

Listen to more...

http://www.publicradio.org/tools/med...80515_recovery

LexieCat · 03-27-2011, 05:15 PM

I got to meet Kevin in person when he spoke at the Philadelphia Shambhala Center a year or so ago. He's awesome.

I'm hoping to make one of his retreats one of these days--I can't take the vacation time right now, but he is doing something in New York in May.

WakeUp · 03-31-2011, 09:59 AM

Saw him in Seattle a year ago. I really hopes he comes back, I gotta drag my sponsor to go see him.
I got both of my books signed by him. A Burning Desire is a great book for those who don't believe in a deity and have trouble with Step 3.

CatWings · 04-02-2011, 10:07 PM

I am reading One Breath At A Time and want to attend the Buddhist focused 12 fold path meetings where I live. I am glad I found this area of SR. I have been having a hard time working my 3rd step lately. I am not really a God person though I often get messages that I consider from my higher self through writing and meditating. I just know that connecting with a power greater than myself is going to take a lot more work than what the 12-steps call for.

recycle · 04-04-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boleo

The Spirituality of Addiction and Recovery | Transcript [Speaking of Faith® from American Public Media]

"In his book One Breath at a Time, Kevin Griffin describes the first three of the Twelve Steps as the surrender steps -

Ms. Tippett: And what's really fascinating to me as I read your work is how you — you live with — if I can put it this way with these different sacred texts, which is the teachings of the Buddha and the Big Book.

Mr. Griffin: Mm-hmm.

Ms. Tippett: Something that I'm quite aware of is how there are some real problems with the language of the Twelve Steps in a modern Western imagination, right?

Mr. Griffin: You noticed that."

Listen to more...

http://www.publicradio.org/tools/med...80515_recovery

I finally got around to listening to this. The Griffin portion of the program is very good. The first part - meh. The Griffin portion begins at 25 minutes.
Thanks Boleo

ananda · 04-07-2011, 08:44 AM

I've never cared much for Kevin's book. I've found other books more helpful by buddist writeres, althoug I don't have the book with me right now

That said, I do believe that if we open our minds and hearts and listen to the truth behind the words, all these writings help us. Even the enlightened are still tangled in the web of karma...and when a teacher teaches, they teach to where you are at, not where the utlimate goal is.

sorry if I'm a bit wierd sounding...but I am realizing now that my buddism was absolutely key to my recovery and am trying to redevelop that connection. Kevin's work helped me with several key concepts in buddism and the steps, but also became a hinderance in some areas. The big book has been the same, careful reading allows me to grow...but it can sometimes hinder me.

Buddha stated very clearly that clinging to a philosopy or a particular way to do something becomes a hinderance at some point.

Just some thoughts.

damselfly · 06-14-2011, 01:09 PM

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I have been reading A Burning Desire for a little while now. I'm reading it in small sections because I want to take time to reflect on what he has to say. I really love this book, and his other book too. I have such an aversion to 12-step programs, yet I feel like I need AA (or at least some of the people in AA), and his story of how he aligned the program with his own beliefs to make it work for him is so helpful to me.

I'm still struggling with sobriety. Since I relapsed back in February, I've only been able to put together several days or several weeks here and there, but I am continuing to learn and hopeful to find what will finally work for me.

Anyhow, I just wanted to say thanks for making me aware of this book. It is definitely helping to soften my aversion to AA and to give me hope for staying sober.

03-24-2011, 09:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
recycle Ethanol Intolerant Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cascadia Posts: 664 Blog Entries: 3	Kevin Griffin Interview Kevin Griffin, author of Buddhism and the 12 Steps interviewed on the Secular Buddhist Blog. I found the interview worth my time. If anyone has read his new book Burning Desire I would love to hear what you thought. __________________ "My life has been filled with terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened." Mark Twain

03-26-2011, 01:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Boleo boleon Join Date: May 2008 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 3,964	The Spirituality of Addiction and Recovery \| Transcript [Speaking of Faith® from American Public Media] "In his book One Breath at a Time, Kevin Griffin describes the first three of the Twelve Steps as the surrender steps - Ms. Tippett: And what's really fascinating to me as I read your work is how you — you live with — if I can put it this way with these different sacred texts, which is the teachings of the Buddha and the Big Book. Mr. Griffin: Mm-hmm. Ms. Tippett: Something that I'm quite aware of is how there are some real problems with the language of the Twelve Steps in a modern Western imagination, right? Mr. Griffin: You noticed that." Listen to more... http://www.publicradio.org/tools/med...80515_recovery __________________ >>> If it makes sense - It ain't spiritual! - All Big Book quotes are from first Edition -

03-27-2011, 05:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
LexieCat A work in progress Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Jersey Posts: 6,425	I got to meet Kevin in person when he spoke at the Philadelphia Shambhala Center a year or so ago. He's awesome. I'm hoping to make one of his retreats one of these days--I can't take the vacation time right now, but he is doing something in New York in May. __________________ Lexie *~ one breath at a time*

03-31-2011, 09:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
WakeUp Awakening... Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: in the present Posts: 1,119	Saw him in Seattle a year ago. I really hopes he comes back, I gotta drag my sponsor to go see him. I got both of my books signed by him. A Burning Desire is a great book for those who don't believe in a deity and have trouble with Step 3. __________________ I am not who I think I am. All quotes from the 1st Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous (aka The Big Book)

04-07-2011, 08:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
ananda Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 12,048 Blog Entries: 1	I've never cared much for Kevin's book. I've found other books more helpful by buddist writeres, althoug I don't have the book with me right now That said, I do believe that if we open our minds and hearts and listen to the truth behind the words, all these writings help us. Even the enlightened are still tangled in the web of karma...and when a teacher teaches, they teach to where you are at, not where the utlimate goal is. sorry if I'm a bit wierd sounding...but I am realizing now that my buddism was absolutely key to my recovery and am trying to redevelop that connection. Kevin's work helped me with several key concepts in buddism and the steps, but also became a hinderance in some areas. The big book has been the same, careful reading allows me to grow...but it can sometimes hinder me. Buddha stated very clearly that clinging to a philosopy or a particular way to do something becomes a hinderance at some point. Just some thoughts. __________________ Copyright © 2010 - 2010 Ananda You can't stop living just because it hurts a little - Ananda's Mom

03-24-2011, 11:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
damselfly Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 59	Thank you! That was the perfect thing for me to listen to this morning. His book on Buddhism and the 12 steps has been helpful to me in trying to see the 12-step programs from a different perspective. I have not yet read the other book, but it does sound interesting.

04-02-2011, 10:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
CatWings Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Mountains Posts: 158	I am reading One Breath At A Time and want to attend the Buddhist focused 12 fold path meetings where I live. I am glad I found this area of SR. I have been having a hard time working my 3rd step lately. I am not really a God person though I often get messages that I consider from my higher self through writing and meditating. I just know that connecting with a power greater than myself is going to take a lot more work than what the 12-steps call for.

06-14-2011, 01:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
damselfly Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 59	Just wanted to check in and let you know that I have been reading A Burning Desire for a little while now. I'm reading it in small sections because I want to take time to reflect on what he has to say. I really love this book, and his other book too. I have such an aversion to 12-step programs, yet I feel like I need AA (or at least some of the people in AA), and his story of how he aligned the program with his own beliefs to make it work for him is so helpful to me. I'm still struggling with sobriety. Since I relapsed back in February, I've only been able to put together several days or several weeks here and there, but I am continuing to learn and hopeful to find what will finally work for me. Anyhow, I just wanted to say thanks for making me aware of this book. It is definitely helping to soften my aversion to AA and to give me hope for staying sober.

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