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One Breath at a Time

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Hello everyone,


This week we read up to pg 57..Exercise: Control Yourself. we spoke about surrender and powerlessness and the different costs of our addiction/alcoholism.

This week's discussion question is what are some of the ways you were powerless that didn't seem so obvious to you?

For me, I was powerless over my emotions and my reactions caused by those emotions. It was only in recovery and particularly in studying Buddhism and mindfulness that I was able to recognize that I wasn't my emotions. They are temporary and changeable and don't define me. This was a huge freedom and realization for me, as it gave me some distance from the immediacy of the feelings that used to feel so overwhelming. I also learned to recognize the difference between taking responsibility for the things that are in my control and blaming myself for things that are not in my control.

What…

Carolyn Bean
Shannin Clarkson

Thank you Lori. I had no idea if I just surrendered to what is and let things just happen, my life would be so much more manageable. I had no idea what powerless even meant. I was able to see clearly that my life was unmanageable and I was powerless. I now rely on a power greater than me to get me through situations that baffle me. I am powerless over everything. Just allowing life to happen has been a much easier way to life. For me.

Hello everyone,


This week we read up to p 50, so next week we start Part One: Surrender. We talked about patience, acceptance, curiosity, non-identification and letting go, both in terms of our meditation practice and out in our lives.

This week's question concerns curiosity and non-identification. How have you used this concept to break your habitual thought patterns, or how can you see yourself using it? I mean, by bringing an open-minded curiosity to the situation and not relating to thoughts as "me or mine," how does that change your response? Kevin says, "If I identify thoughts as mine, I also tend to react emotionally." Have you experienced this?

I know for me, that when I used to identify as my thoughts and feelings there was no escape from them. I thought they were just who I was and there was nothing I could do about it to change…

saracoughlinnoon
Shannin Clarkson

I have learned through experience that feelings are not facts. They can be there, they can be true or not. I have to ask myself if this is mine to carry, does it matter right now, will it affect me or my sobriety? I allow what comes up to be there, decide if I need to let it go and keep going. Remaining curious keeps me growing. Paying attention is important to acceptance today. Being patient with myself and others. Knowing that what is going on is happening regardless of my thoughts or feelings. I can change my reaction to it. Grateful for it all. Thanks Lori for the question that allowed me to think about what we read about yesterday.

Hello everyone,


This week we read to pg 43 Patience, under the section Attitudes of Mindfulness. We talked about how mindfulness meditation isn't about stopping your thoughts, but just becoming aware of them as thoughts, and about mindfulness of emotions and where they showed up in your body, and just becoming aware of them without trying to change them.

Then we talked about developing a practice. So my question for comment this week is what are you willing to commit to to increase your practice? Perhaps it's setting an "intention" for your practice, or getting clear about your "why" for meditating. Perhaps it's setting a specific time or place to meditate daily or regularly. What are you willing to do?

For me, my intention is what motivated me into practicing, and now it's just become a part of my daily routine. I'm grateful for that, but that only happened becaus…

Kate Monser
Shannin Clarkson
chrism

Thank you Lori. Most of my meditation is done while walking. I feel connected to my higher power while walking in nature. Noticing and appreciating the sights and sounds. It is not daily, and I try to do it as often as possible. It's where I get quiet and can be still while walking. Most of the time I don't listen to music or anything, I am just enjoying the natural sounds of my surroundings. I have also done guided sleep meditations in the evening when I am feeling anxious and not able to sleep. I am going to incorporate silent meditation into my life again; that was helpful when I made time for it. Thanks for all the suggestions. Meditation has been helpful however it's been done in my experience.

Hello everyone,


This week we read up to pg 32 " Paying attention to mind...". We read and discussed mindfulness, what it means and how we use it. We also touched on discomfort and awareness of sound.

This week's discussion question is based on this quote from p27 Mindfulness...helps us to see into our own minds and the ways that we undermine ourselves and gives us the opportunity to make new choices based on our own wisdom"

So the question is how have you undermined yourself (in the past) and where have you made a new choice based on your own inner wisdom? Please share an example or how you relate to this and how mindfulness was a part of the process.

For me, I have learned to be more aware and compassionate towards my inner critical voice that was always beating me up ( and still does at times).…

Jessica Whitton
Shannin Clarkson

I often have negative self-talk, and thoughts based on judgments and preconceptions (what is right, what is wrong, how to and not to do things, others' beliefs "shoulds"), such thoughts that were reinforced within me by unsupportive and judgmental parents. More and more as I am mindful/aware of the presentation of negative self-talk I remind myself, "it is a lie," dismiss the thought and I am able to redirect my focus to the present moment and not obsess over it or choose to believe it. As I am mindful/aware of the judgments and preconceptions that cross my mind, a lot of the "should" thoughts and comparisons, I remind myself that each moment is a new experience. Aware of the common derivative of these thoughts, I picture a box containing all such things, my "rent dragon," exploding to let go of the judgments and preconceptions, and accept and enjoy the "NOW."

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