II. Meditation: Guiding Principle
II. MEDITATION
THE FOUNDATION OF OUR PROGRAM
“We commit to the intention of developing a daily meditation practice. We use meditation as a tool to investigate our actions, intentions, and reactivity. Meditation is a personal practice, and we commit to finding a balanced effort toward this and other healthy practices that are appropriate to our own journey on the path.” – Recovery Dharma Workbook
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
Developing and sustaining a daily meditative practice is foundational to the Recovery Dharma path of recovery. Through meditation, we learn how to respond more wisely to life’s difficulties. We learn how to manage difficult thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Meditation helps us begin the process of investigating our addictive cravings and impulses.
EARLY ADVICE
A daily mediative practice is something that can only be experienced, it cannot be adequately described.
“If you want to understand your mind, sit down and observe it.” – Joseph Goldstein
With meditation, we are learning how to calm our mind and body. We learn the tools needed to investigate the root causes and conditions of our addictive nature. Those who simply abstain from their addictive behaviors without investigating the underlying causes and conditions inevitably see these behaviors manifest elsewhere in their lives in other behaviors. Meditation is the tool we develop to investigate these root causes and conditions.
DHARMA SAYING
‘All things impermanent.’
PRACTICAL PRATICE TIP
Commit To A Daily Meditation Practice
– If you are new to meditation and a Buddhist-inspired approach to recovery, focus first on what is called ‘Insight Meditation’, or sometimes called a ‘Vipassana’ practice. This will greatly strengthen your ability to meditate.
– In the Recovery Dharma workbook, read the section on ‘Wise Mindfulness’. Pay particular attention to the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Page 36 of the 2nd edition).
I. FIRST FOUNDATION – Breath and Body
II. SECOND FOUNDATION – Feeling Tones
III. THIRD FOUNDATION – Mindfulness of the Mind
IV. FOURTH FOUNDATION – Mental Objects
– See the Recovery Dharma YouTube page for free guided mediations on each.
– https://www.youtube.com/@RecoveryDharma
– Also see our Beyond Craving: 30 Sits In 30 Days course for additional information on how to establish a daily meditation practice as recommended by the Recovery Dharma workbook.