Refuge RecoveRy

A Buddhist Path to Recovering from Addiction

Noah Levine

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copyright

refuge recovery: A Buddhist Path to Recovering from Addiction. copyright 2014 by Noah Levine. All rights reserved. Printed in the united States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. for information address Harper collins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New york, Ny 10007.

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f i r s t e d i t i o n

Designed by Level C

Library of congress cataloging- in- Publication DataLevine, Noah.

Refuge recovery : a buddhist path to recovering from addiction / Noah Levine.pages cm

ISBN 97800621228411. Recovering addictsLife skills guides. 2. Religious lifeBuddhism. I. Title.

HV4998.L48 2014294.3'4442dc23 2013040251

14 15 16 17 18 rrd(h) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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coNteNtS

Preface vii

Introduction ix

The Process xi

P A R t o N e

The Four TruThs oF recovery

1 Addiction creates Suffering 3

2 the cause of Addiction Is Repetitive craving 11

3 Recovery Is Possible 19

4 the Path to Recovery 23

5 understanding 27

6 Intention 41

7 communication/community 49

8 Action/engagement 55

9 Livelihood/Ser vice 65

10 effort/energy 71

11 Mindfulness/Meditations 77

12 concentration/Meditations 85

13 the Path to Heartfulness 89

14 Breaking the Addiction 93

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vi Contents

P A R t t w o

reFlecTions on recovery

15 Lynne 105

16 Jordan 113

17 Dave 125

18 Mary 141

19 Pablo 151

20 enrique 159

21 RuthAnn 165

22 Andrea 183

Appendixes

Mindfulness Meditation Instructions 190

Heart Practices 207

Format for Refuge Recovery Meetings 227

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PRefAce

Addiction is the repetitive process of habitually satisfying cravings to avoid, change, or control the seemingly unbearable conditions of the present moment. this process of craving and indulgence provides short- term relief but causes long- term harm. It is almost always a source of suffering for both the addict and those who care about the addict.

recovery is a process of healing the underlying conditions that lead to addiction. It is establishing and maintaining the practice of abstaining from satisfying the cravings for the substances and be-haviors that we have become addicted to. Recovery is also the abil-ity to inhabit the conditions of the present reality, whether pleasant or unpleasant.

renunciation is the practice of abstaining from harmful behaviors.

A refuge is a safe place, a place of protection a place that we go to in times of need, a shelter. we are always taking refuge in something. Drugs, alcohol, food, sex, money, or relationships with people have been a refuge for many of us. Before addiction, such refuges provide temporary feelings of comfort and safety. But at some point we crossed the line into addiction. And the substances or behaviors that were once a refuge inevitably became a dark and lonely repetitive cycle of searching for comfort as we wandered through an empty life.

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viii Preface

Active addiction is a kind of hell. It is like being a hungry ghost, wandering through life in constant craving and suffering. Refuge Recovery, the Buddhist- inspired approach to treating ad-diction, offers a plan to end the suffering of addiction.

traditionally, Buddhists commit to the path of awakening by taking refuge in three things: awakening (Buddha), truth (Dharma), and community (Sangha). If the teachings and practices offered here resonate with you as true and useful, we invite you to take refuge in this process of awakening, truth, and community. Practicing these principles and developing these skills will lead to a safe place, a true and reliable refuge, a place that is free from ad-diction, to a full recovery.

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Introduction

Refuge Recovery is a practice, a process, a set of tools, a treatment, and a path to healing addiction and the suffering caused by addic-tion. the main inspiration and guiding philosophy for the Refuge Recovery program are the teachings of Siddhartha (Sid) gautama, a man who lived in India twenty- five hundred years ago. Sid was a radical psychologist and a spiritual revolutionary. through his own efforts and practices he came to understand why human beings experience and cause so much suffering. He referred to the root cause of suffering as uncontrollable thirst or repetitive craving. this thirst tends to arise in relation to pleasure, but it may also arise as a craving for unpleasant experiences to go away, or as an addiction to people, places, things, or experiences. this is the same thirst of the alcoholic, the same craving as the addict, and the same attachment as the codependent.

eventually, Sid came to understand and experience a way of living that ended all forms of suffering. He did this through a practice and process that includes meditation, wise actions, and compassion. After freeing himself from the suffering caused by craving, he spent the rest of his life teaching others how to live a life of well- being and freedom, a life free from suffering.

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x Introduction

Sid became known as the Buddha, and his teachings became known as Buddhism. the Refuge Recovery program has adapted the core teachings of the Buddha as a treatment of addiction.

Buddhism recognizes a nontheistic approach to spiritual prac-tice. the Refuge Recovery program of recovery does not ask anyone to believe anything, only to trust the process and do the hard work of recovery.

this book contains a systematic approach to treating and recov-ering from all forms of addictions. using the traditional formula-tion, the program of recovery consists of the four Noble truths and the eightfold Path. when sincerely practiced, the program will ensure a full recovery from addiction and a lifelong sense of well- being and happiness.

of course, like every path, you can only get to your destination by moving forward, one foot in front of the other. the path is gradual and comprehensive, a map of the inner terrain that must be tra-versed in the process of recovery. the path includes daily meditation practices, written investigations of the causes and conditions of your addictions, and how to find or create the community you will need in order to heal and awaken. we have also included stories of people who have successfully recovered with the help of Buddhist practices.

Although I am credited with writing the book, the large com-munity at Refuge Recovery is the inspirational and creative force behind it. this community has helped shape, inform, and enhance the program with their direct experience of practicing these prin-ciples. this book, then, should be viewed as a collaborative effort, a book written for the plural rather than the singular the we in-stead of the I, since it speaks for Buddhists and addicts everywhere.

Lastly, we are aware that more will be revealed. It is our hope that we have offered here a substantial and useful foundation to the Buddhist recovery movement. we have every intention to learn and grow and revise as we go. this is just the first edition. enjoy!

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the Process

Refuge Recovery follows the traditional Buddhist system of the four Noble truths, which begin with four actions.

1. we take stock of all 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.

1. understanding

2. Intention

3. communication/community

4. Action/engagement

5. Livelihood/ser vice

6. effort/energy

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xii The Process

7. Mindfulness/meditations

8. concentration/meditations

the core philosophy of Refuge Recovery is based on renun-ciation and abstinence. we believe that the recovery process truly begins when renunciation is established and maintained. we also understand that imperfection and humility are part of the process. even when we refrain from the primary drug or behavior, addic-tion at times manifests in other behaviors. we are not holding per-fection as the standard, but as the goal. we believe in the human ability and potential for complete renunciation of behaviors that cause harm. we understand that for many this is an ongoing pro-cess of establishing and/or reestablishing renunciation.

Renunciation alone is not recovery, however. It is only the be-ginning. those who maintain abstinence but fail to examine the underlying causes and conditions are not on the path to recovery. they are simply stopping the surface manifestations of addiction, which will inevitably resurface in other ways.

the eight factors, or folds, of the path are to be developed, expe-rienced, and penetrated. this is not a linear path. It does not have to be taken in order. In fact, all the factors need to be developed and applied simultaneously. And to truly break free from addic-tion, the eight folds of recovery must be constantly maintained.

Although the process and sequence of recovery will vary from person to person, the following is an overview of how the Refuge Recovery approach may be applied.

we begin by accepting all the ways that addiction has caused suffering in our lives and the lives of others. turning inward and acknowledging our suffering is the beginning of the process, but it is also an ongoing practice. on a daily basis, we practice mindfulness of suffering, its causes and its cessation.

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The Process xiii

Next we investigate the underlying conditions that have influenced, exacerbated, and perpetuated our addictions.

through reading, listening, studying, and practicing the principles of the four truths (which includes the eightfold Path) we come to understand the possibility and potential of our own recovery. Having some inkling of hope and willingness, we take refuge in the potential of our own recovery (Buddha), the four truths and eightfold Path of recovery (Dharma), and in the community of fellow recovering addicts (Sangha).

we embark on the practice of the eightfold Path. we encourage you to begin with the practice of meditation right away. Meditation is going to be the most important tool in supporting our renunciation. Begin with the practice of focusing on your breath. After a week, you will alternate forgiveness practice (explained in chapter 5) with breath practice every other day. eventually we will want you to learn and practice all the meditations offered, but we encourage you to first develop the meditations that increase concentration.

As your skill in concentration increases, we begin practicing the four foundations of mindfulness and the heart practices of loving- kindness, compassion, appreciation, and equanimity.

Next we refine understanding, intentions, and livelihood. this is a gradual path. No one changes overnight, but we all must continue to practice, study, and act wisely to find the freedom from addiction we seek.

we engage in the relational aspect of forgiveness, making amends to all people we have hurt through our addictions, words, and actions.

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