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Refuge Recovery - A Buddhist Path To Recovery From Addiction

Refuge Recovery – A Buddhist Path To Recovery From Addiction

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NWBR BOOK REVIEW – By Rebekah R.

Noah Levine is a world renowned counterculture author and Buddhist meditation instructor who has taken a different approach to recovery than that of just the 12 Steps, combining it with that of Buddhism and its Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path. That is what Refuge Recovery is all about. It is a way of life that relinquishes the suffering we inflict on ourselves as addicts and alcoholics. He begins the book by asking the reader to do an in depth inventory, itemizing all the ways they have caused themselves and others suffering over the course of their addiction. Refuge Recovery, the communities Noah hopes to create with his book, follows the traditional Buddhist system of the Four Noble Truths with a small twist. They are: 1. We take stock of all of the suffering we have experienced and caused as addicts. 2. We investigate the causes and conditions that lead to addiction and begin the process of letting go. 3. We come to understand that recovery is possible and take refuge in the path that leads to the end of addiction. 4. We engage in the process of the Eightfold Path that leads to recovery, namely, understanding, intention, communication/community, action/engagement, livelihood/service, effort/energy, mindfulness/meditations, and concentration/meditations. Next, he states how recovery is possible by taking refuge in your awakening/recovery (Buddha), the Four Truths (Dharma), and the Refuge Recovery community (Sangha). Noah goes into vast detail as to each of these Truths and as to the Eightfold Path and explains how we can use these as our tools for awakening. Refuge Recovery “is a practice, a process, a set of tools, a treatment, and a path to healing addiction and the suffering caused by addiction.” Noah speaks in a kind, compassionate way, as someone who has experienced these dramatic changes himself. He tells us how to not only break the addiction to the substance, but to the mind. The book is laid out in a similar format to that of the Big Book, as Noah mentioned at his recent book signing, the second section being testimonials from members of the Refuge Recovery community who have experienced the profound effects the Dharma and Noah’s community have had on their lives. At the end of the book are guided meditations and a format for a Refuge Recovery group, should you decide to have one in your own community. Noah has done a dear service to the world with his introduction of this book by bringing Buddhist recovery to forefront of the Buddhist community. Sincere followers of Refuge Recovery are rewarded with a “lifelong sense of wellbeing and happiness.” This book and program are true gems for anyone truly interested in recovery and mindfulness.

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