A Buddhist Path to Recovery? (video)

Buddhist Recovery at Against the Stream, Los Angeles; Wisdom Quarterly (Part 1 of 3)

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The Four Truths of Recovery

These four truths come from a Buddhist perspective that says:
  
“All beings have the power and potential to free themselves from suffering.”
  
We [at Dharma Punx/Against the Stream] feel confident in the Buddha’s teachings to relieve suffering of all kinds, including the suffering of addiction.

1. Addiction creates suffering.

We come to understand, acknowledge, admit, and accept all of the ways our addictions and addictive behaviors have caused suffering in our lives.

• ACTION: Write an in-depth and detailed inventory of the suffering you have experienced in association with your addictions.

2. Addiction is not all your fault.

We come to understand that all forms of addiction have their roots in the natural human tendency to crave for life to be more pleasurable and less painful than it actually is. The addict is not at fault for the root causes and conditions that lead to addiction, only for the habitual reactive patterns that perpetuate it.

• ACTION: Investigate, analyze, and share this inventory with your mentor or teacher and come to understand the nature of your addiction/suffering.

3. Recovery is possible.

Freedom from the suffering caused by addiction is attainable -- if we are ready and willing to take responsibility for our actions and follow the Eightfold Path.

• ACTION: Take refuge in the community, practice, and potential of your own recovery. Study and apply the principles of the path, and eventually you will become confident with a verified faith in the path of recovery/enlightenment through the actions you take on the path.

4. The Eightfold Path to recovery

After the ecstasy, the laundry: Recovery is work.

This is an abstinence-based path and philosophy. We believe that the recovery process begins when abstinence (from all substances and related behaviors) begins. The eight factors or folds of the path are meant to be developed, penetrated, and experienced for oneself. This is not a linear path; it is not taken in order. Rather, all of the factors are developed and applied simultaneously. This is a guide to having a life freed of addiction. The eight folds of recovery are maintained and brought to perfection throughout life.