Overview & Format
When I first started taking my recovery seriously a couple months ago, I really wanted to find a way to keep my mind not only occupied, but genuinely interested in whatever I was doing. An idle mind can put an addict at a significantly increased risk of relapse.
From the start, I planned on trying to regularly attend N.A. & A.A., but my father actually was able to point me to something a little more unique: a Buddhist 12-Step Meeting held at the Buddhist Dharma Center of Cincinnati. I briefly mentioned this meeting in my January 25th post about meetings, but I thought that it could be helpful if I went into a little more detail about this supplemental twelve-step program for anyone who may be interested.
The format of the meeting is simple; We start with a 20-30 minute guided meditation (led by an experienced member of the group) before reading from the current literature that is being studied. Currently, the group is reading through The 12-Step Buddhist, written by Darren Littlejohn.
After about 20-30 minutes of taking turns reading aloud from the book, the group begins to discuss that nights’ reading and anything they took away from it and/or how it relates back to their recovery. It is my understanding that literature is read on a rotating basis and when the group finishes one book, they then move onto another.
I think it is important to note that this meeting is intended to be a supplement to a traditional 12-step program, and not necessarily meant to be the central focus of any persons’ personal program. What you choose to share at this meeting is intended to be related to the reading that is being discussed.
Thoughts on this program
Prior to attending this meeting, I had no real experience with Buddhist principles or teachings aside from what I have learned in school and picked up from various sources over the years. I do not strongly identify with any formal religious group and tend to be a little on the skeptical side when it comes to anything religious in nature.
However, I very quickly noticed that meeting-goers were open about their motivations for attending the meeting; Some people just wanted to see what, if anything, Buddhist teachings could be applied to their own personal recovery, others were merely curious about it, and others still (a category that I include myself in) were just trying out what they saw as unique meeting opportunities and wanted to see what it was all about. I guess what I am trying to get across is that you do not need to identify or intend to identify as a Buddhist to attend the meeting.
There is a very common saying in A.A. & N.A. That applies very well in this situation: “Take what you want and leave the rest”
This I have always took to mean that you should have the awareness and ability to listen to what is being taught at a meeting or gathering of any type and decide for yourself what you would like to take away from it. You don’t have to agree with everything, but if there is any concept at all that you think you can apply to your recovery and that will help you be successful, by all means, utilize it.
Meditation & Recovery
Attending the Buddhist 12-Step meeting had a much larger impact than I ever could have imagined on me. After the very first guided meditation that I completed at the Buddhist Dharma Center, I noticed a marked change in my mindset. I was calm. I was less stressed. I was relaxed. It had been years since I had felt that level of calm, and I absolutely loved it.
What this meeting actually did for me was awaken an interest in meditation as not only a tool to help me be successful in my recovery, but also a tool to help me be successful in life in general. I felt so good after this quiet meditation that I went home and began researching meditation and found a vast amount of information on the topic on the internet.
I subscribed to related podcasts, borrowed some meditation DVDs from my Dad, and was actually given a subscription to a fantastic guided meditation service called 10% Happier after emailing them and explaining my situation. They gave me a one year subscription to all of their guided meditations free of charge, due to the fact that I don’t have the financial means to purchase it. I cannot possibly thank them enough for this, and I will be writing a formal review of and words of thanks to the 10% Happier organization.
In the end, it was the Buddhist 12-Step meeting that started an interest in meditation for me and the many ways it can help someone in recovery remain clean and be successful. For that I am extremely thankful and I look forward to my continued attendance at this meeting.
If you live in the area, I have linked to the Buddhist Dharma Center of Cincinnati’s website so you can find more information about how you can attend.
G.M.C., 1.27.2020, Day 69
Be grateful today.
Picture at top of page: https://pin.it/nlfecflgqhohs6
Daily Recovery 