Hello everyone,
This week we started a new book "Buddhism & The Twelve Steps Workbook" by Kevin Griffin, which is the follow-up workbook to One Breath at a Time. We read the preface, introduction and began The Way of Mindfulness and Recovery, leaving off at pg 23 , "So, the first effect of mindfulness is to see the truth..." where we will pick up next week.
We had a great discussion about the use of meditation in "working" or "living" each step and the correlation of the 12 Steps of recovery with the Buddhist 4 Noble Truths.
This week's contemplative question comes from part of Kevin's explanation of mindfulness which stated" with mindfulness we not only observe what's happening in the body and mind, but how we react to things, how a sound triggers a thought snd a thought triggers an amotion and an emotion triggers a physical response." p22
The question to consider is how aware are you of this process. Do you see how one thing triggers another and how mindfulness can help us pause to respond instead of react?
In my own experience, this is a continual work in progress. Sometimes, I can use mindfulness to not overreact and to be aware that I've been triggered by a behavior or event and not follow it down the emotional path that leads to a response I'd prefer not to have made. But often, unfortunately, it is only in retrospect that I realize I should have taken a breath and observed the process before reacting, so that I could respond more skillfully. That's why my daily practices are so important and allow me to take that pause more and more often with gentle awareness.
What about you?
Hello and thank you for the discussion this week. It was great to finally start the new book. Great group of people. I hope to get lots out of the discussions with the group. I definitely am more aware of the ripple effect of my actions. One thing can trigger the next and the next. I am mindful of my words and actions; unlike the way I wasn't when I was in active addiction. Pause being my greatest of many tools. Look forward to opening up more in the coming weeks.