Eight Step Recovery (new edition) by Mason-John, Valerie -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Contents About the authors Acknowledgements Accessing the guided meditations Also by Valerie Mason-John Authors’ note Dedication List of figures Preface to the second printing Foreword by Jon Kabat-Zinn Foreword by Gabor Maté Introduction

A definition of addiction and of recovery Our personal stories Who was the Buddha? The Buddha was in recovery The Buddha’s teaching Eight steps toward recovery Who is this book for? How to use this book

Step One: Accepting that this human life will bring suffering

Three types of suffering

Physical suffering Psychological suffering Existential suffering

Suffering and addiction Everyone has pain The four reminders What is meant by the truth of suffering? How we practice this step

Mindful attention to our suffering

Recap

Step Two: Seeing how we create extra suffering in our lives

The common ways we deal with suffering

Avoiding Blaming others Blaming ourselves Self-pity

Craving as the cause of suffering What makes craving such a problem? Types of craving

Craving for sensual pleasure Craving for existence Craving for non-existence

The hungry ghosts: an image of craving How we practice this step

Turning toward difficult experience Working with physical pain Staying with difficult experience – avoiding misunderstandings

Do we need to hit rock bottom to start our recovery? Slowing down Reflecting on why we create more suffering in our lives Recap

Step Three: Embracing impermanence to show us that our suffering can end

The significance of impermanence Difficulties are impermanent We can change Impermanence and addiction How we practice this step The power of mantra Recap

Step Four: Being willing to step onto the path of recovery and discover freedom

Vision and transformation Seeing things clearly Kindness to help us step onto the path of recovery How we practice this step

Approaching kindness Cultivating kindness Weighing the benefits and costs of addiction The time for courage and compassion Developing compassion Reflecting on the benefits of recovery Cultivating appreciation and gratitude

Recap

Step Five: Transforming our speech, actions, and livelihood

Our thoughts and emotions drive our actions Our actions have consequences Transforming speech Transforming actions Transforming livelihood How we practice this step

Training principles to guide our actions toward sobriety and abstinence Devising your own training principles Reciting the training principles Coming to terms with past and ongoing unhelpful actions

Acknowledgment and regret Making amends A promise and a plan

Ritual approaches to coming to terms with our past

Prayer Mantra

Making the most of opportunities to change our lives – GIFTS

Recap

Step Six: Placing positive values at the center of our lives

Exploring values Values as a direction and as a refuge

Values as a direction Values as a refuge

How we practice this step

Exemplars of values, teachings, and community Going for refuge to the Buddha Going for refuge to the Dharma Going for refuge to the sangha Taking refuge in the sangha is not all plain sailing Going for refuge moment by moment

Recap

Step Seven: Making every effort to stay on the path of recovery

Staying on the path of recovery How we practice this step

Preventing unhelpful states of mind arising Mental chatter Eradicating unhelpful states of mind

Sensual desire Ill will Restlessness and anxiety Sloth and torpor Doubt and indecision Swinging between different hindrances

Cultivating helpful states of mind Maintaining helpful states of mind

Recap

Step Eight: Helping others by sharing the benefits we have gained

The fourth sight Helping ourselves and others

Reminding ourselves of where we have come from Creating good karma A sense of purpose The wisdom perspective

How we practice this step

Ways to help others The challenge of helping others The dangers of being a helper

The journey of recovery

Faith Energy Mindfulness Concentration Wisdom

Recap

Tools for recovery

Recap of Dharma tools in the book Meditation

The Mindfulness of Breathing Loving-kindness meditation: the Metta Bhavana

What next?

Appendix 1 Mentorship: The tool of asking for help (We do not have to do it alone) Appendix 2 Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR) Course

Acknowledgments Introduction to MBAR Optional Session: Welcome Session 1: Becoming Aware Session 2: Triggers (Vicious Cycle) Session 3: Accepting Experience Session 4: Changing Our Relationship to Thoughts Session 5: Taking Care of Myself Session 6: Tools You Can Begin to Use in Your Daily Life Optional Session: Closing Option 1 Option 2

Notes and references

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