Interesting article on addiction from a Buddhism perspective
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Interesting article on addiction from a Buddhism perspective
Laozi Old Man
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
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"From a Buddhist perspective, addiction might be considered the archetype of attachment. Addiction is, in fact, a collection of attachments."
HaHa! Just I thought. The real goal of recovery is Spiritual Detachment. "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)"
When I detach from the outcome and all expectations, nothing disturbs me enough that I feel like I need to drink or use drugs.
HaHa! Just I thought. The real goal of recovery is Spiritual Detachment. "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)"
When I detach from the outcome and all expectations, nothing disturbs me enough that I feel like I need to drink or use drugs.
...not falling down them
Join Date: Mar 2012
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In letting go of our attachments we also let go of the things that influence us and draw us into a state of mind where we feel less than we are, where we feel that something is missing, where we need to fill the space, or dampen the pain, or simply make it go away.
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Within the context of addiction, people often feel that they do not have a choice. Nothing could be further from the truth. We always have a choice.
Good article. I like a lot of it. It's important to note that this is one author's interpretation.
It is within the attachment that we invite suffering. I think it's interesting to see that across time and religions you see the practice of "giving up" things or sacrificing over and over again.
A friend of mine and I were talking about his love life and he said, "I've decided I'm not going to be in a relationship with just one person. It's not good for me to be attached"
I told him it appears he has an attachment to non-attachment....
...not falling down them
Join Date: Mar 2012
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Originally Posted by soberlicious 
A friend of mine and I were talking about his love life and he said, "I've decided I'm not going to be in a relationship with just one person. It's not good for me to be attached"
I told him it appears he has an attachment to non-attachment....
I told him it appears he has an attachment to non-attachment....
Laozi Old Man
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
Originally Posted by soberlicious
Within the context of addiction, people often feel that they do not have a choice. Nothing could be further from the truth. We always have a choice.
"We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality - safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. "
In order for me to choose, I would have to think about drinking and not-drinking and choose between the two. I don't think about either. Therefor I can "choose neither".
Buddha spoke of the Middle Way. Within the context of choice that suggests that if we are present in the moment, our choices are constant. We do not, then, go right or left, say yes or no, think good or bad, or see black or white; rather, we are aware that both opportunities are presenting themselves, we recognize this and acknowledge it, then choose neither.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: "I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost ..."
Posts: 5,273
That quote wasn't mine, it was from the article.
In choosing neither, we are still making a choice. As the author said, addiction robs us of that. When in active addiction, we are not able to "choose neither".
In choosing neither, we are still making a choice. As the author said, addiction robs us of that. When in active addiction, we are not able to "choose neither".
Laozi Old Man
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
Originally Posted by soberlicious
In choosing neither, we are still making a choice. As the author said, addiction robs us of that. When in active addiction, we are not able to "choose neither".
I don't think about using
I don't think about choosing
I don't think about winning
I don't think about loosing.
"Ah-Ah, we don't go there"
Mad TV Bob Newhart Skit - Mo Collins - Stop it - YouTube
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