Another term for 'The Beast'?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 186
Another term for 'The Beast'?
I have been doing some preliminary reading into RR and AVRT and have ordered a book due to arrive tomorrow. One sticking point so far is the term 'The Beast'. I relate to the concept but not the term. Does anyone else follow this approach but use a different term? Suggestions welcome.
Carly
Carly
(or whatever you want, ya know?)
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Washington, MO
Posts: 2,306
Mine is more feminine and starts with a B. Seriously, the seductive nature of my AV makes it more of a bad romance for me. Stinkin Thinkin would be an archaic AA corollary maybe but AVRT is unique in compartmentalizing " the voice ". just my take
Self recovered Self discovered
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 5,148
I didn't go for the GRRRRRR BAD DOGGIE DOWN BOY approach, either. I think I understood the intention of the Beast identification though, and that was to identify the urges and thoughts of drinking now or in the future as a comfort or pleasure seeking aspect of my self, the lower aspects of myself. This was a part of me that was about to separated and rejected as being dangerous to my physical, emotional, and psychological health. I had decided it was dangerous to my future as it contravened and contradicted a new plan I had made for myself, a plan to never drink again.
Like anattaboy, I complared these urges to the feelings I had once about an old girlfriend. Our relationship had become toxic. She lied to me, she cheated on me, she stole from me, she made me feel miserable and depressed and hopeless. Hey Bingo! Just like vodka! Like my relationship with vodka, I cut it off hard and deep and clean. I would never go back to her, even for one night, no matter what. Thoughts of doing that were the understandable response of my comfort and pleasure seeking brain.
But those days were done and over. If she had come to me again, I would have opened the door, smiled to myself, and simply shut it again.
And that is the approach I took, and still take, when I get an urge to drink. I recognize it for what it is, I try to look at it clearly, and then shut the door.
Like anattaboy, I complared these urges to the feelings I had once about an old girlfriend. Our relationship had become toxic. She lied to me, she cheated on me, she stole from me, she made me feel miserable and depressed and hopeless. Hey Bingo! Just like vodka! Like my relationship with vodka, I cut it off hard and deep and clean. I would never go back to her, even for one night, no matter what. Thoughts of doing that were the understandable response of my comfort and pleasure seeking brain.
But those days were done and over. If she had come to me again, I would have opened the door, smiled to myself, and simply shut it again.
And that is the approach I took, and still take, when I get an urge to drink. I recognize it for what it is, I try to look at it clearly, and then shut the door.
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Washington, MO
Posts: 2,306
On a related note..Buddhists would call it simply the Mind. Anyone who has even attempted to meditate and just observe one's own mind for even a few minutes will find it unreliable sober, drunk or otherwise. The Beast indeed can take the form of "the evil one" for those steeped in that tradition (laying in wait, wanting only bad for me). I like AVRT and know the AV is really me if I take a drink and even some without. The constant grasping is the problem. Everything is just fine. Chop wood, carry water and let thoughts come and go (they always have anyway), it's when I attach that the problem begins .... Best Wishes.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 49
Service dog works well for me. I'm not into over thinking all this stuff. The beast is my highly trained service dog and I its handler. This way I have a metaphor to work with: I don't let it up on the sofa. Period. To do so would be at my own peril.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PA
Posts: 12,000
I never gave it much thought. When the occasional thought of having a drink pops into my head, I just acknowledge it and remind myself that I will never drink again.
I sometimes refer to it as that nonsense in my head.
I sometimes refer to it as that nonsense in my head.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
