Mindful Recovery: A Spiritual Path to Healing from Addiction
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By: Thomas, Ph.D. Bien and Beverly Bien
Format: Paperback
From: Wiley
Pub. Date: February 2002
From: Wiley
Pub. Date: February 2002
Product Details:
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2002-03-29
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 256
Ean: 9780471442615
Isbn: 0471442615
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2002-03-29
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 256
Ean: 9780471442615
Isbn: 0471442615
ABOUT THE BOOK
EDITORIAL REVIEW
"This wise book provides practical exercises that will help us to develop conscious awareness and inner understanding, and the ways and means to free us from unsatisfying habits, addictions, and unconscious behavior patterns. I recommend it highly."
--Lama Surya Das, author of the bestselling Awakening the Buddha Within
"Anyone interested in finding a kind, spiritual guide to recovery that focuses on flexibility rather than the 'one true way' will benefit from this enjoyable and helpful book."
--Maia Szalavitz, coauthor with Joseph Volpicelli, M.D., of Recovery Options: The Complete Guide
In Mindful Recovery, you'll discover a fresh and effective method for healing from addiction that can help you handle important challenges, from managing anxiety and resisting cravings to dealing with emotional and physical imbalance.
Drawing on both ancient spiritual wisdom and the authors' extensive clinical psychological work with their patients over many years, Mindful Recovery shows you how to use the simple Buddhist practice of mindfulness to be aware of-- and enjoy-- life in the present moment without the need to enhance or avoid experience with addictive behaviors. Mindful Recovery guides you step by step through ten powerful "doorways" to mindful recovery, giving you specific strategies that can help you cultivate a sense of calm awareness and balance in your life.
Filled with personal stories of recovery, practical exercises, instructions for meditation, and more, Mindful Recovery accompanies you on a journey of exploration and healing that will help you find the strength and the tools to change, leading you to a fresh new experience of everyday living.
--Lama Surya Das, author of the bestselling Awakening the Buddha Within
"Anyone interested in finding a kind, spiritual guide to recovery that focuses on flexibility rather than the 'one true way' will benefit from this enjoyable and helpful book."
--Maia Szalavitz, coauthor with Joseph Volpicelli, M.D., of Recovery Options: The Complete Guide
In Mindful Recovery, you'll discover a fresh and effective method for healing from addiction that can help you handle important challenges, from managing anxiety and resisting cravings to dealing with emotional and physical imbalance.
Drawing on both ancient spiritual wisdom and the authors' extensive clinical psychological work with their patients over many years, Mindful Recovery shows you how to use the simple Buddhist practice of mindfulness to be aware of-- and enjoy-- life in the present moment without the need to enhance or avoid experience with addictive behaviors. Mindful Recovery guides you step by step through ten powerful "doorways" to mindful recovery, giving you specific strategies that can help you cultivate a sense of calm awareness and balance in your life.
Filled with personal stories of recovery, practical exercises, instructions for meditation, and more, Mindful Recovery accompanies you on a journey of exploration and healing that will help you find the strength and the tools to change, leading you to a fresh new experience of everyday living.
USER REVIEWS
"I can't pretend to be interested in or enthusiastic about the zen, meditation, Eastern talk. But I can say, as a recovered A.A., that "thinking"--which is often deplored in A.A. meetings--is a matter of what the restored, brain damaged mind chooses to put in it. Early AAs liked the Book of James very much.The James Club and the Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials. And James 4:7 declares: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Romans 12:1-2 was often quoted, particularly by the wife of A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob.Anne Smith's Journal, 1933-1939: A.A.'s Principles of Success. It stresses avoiding being "conformed" to the world, but being "transformed" by the renewing of your mind. Sitting in recovery meetings, listening to tales of woe, sharing tales of woe, and leaving with a pity pot are not part of a sane and healthy recovery. Filling one's mind with the Word of God is.Cured! Proven Help for Alcoholics and Addicts And, to the extent this book stresses the mind focus part of spritual recovery, it has merit--even for the Christian reader.The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible (Bridge Builders Edition)"
~ Written on 2008-07-31
~ Written on 2008-07-31
"This book is the best I have read on dealing with recovery from alcohol
and addiction. I have read most of the classic works in this field including AA's "The Big Book," Albert Ellis's book "When AA doesn't Work for you," "Sober For Good....." and work as a volunteer group facilitator for SMART Recovery, a self help group based on Ellis's REBT and Cognitive Psychology that has an astounding success rate in a very short time span.
The book is very sensitively written, and contains much wisdom and practices on dealing with this devastating social, psychological epidemic, which is spreading rapidly due to the increasingly stressful aspects of modern life. I particularly liked what the author says about the importance of living in the movement and the 9 doors of recovery.
There is a westernized, non-religious, Buddhist ideological foundation based on compassion, mindfulness, and living an authentic life in the "NOW." However, unlike the largely Christian based AA (which is the proverbial 1200 pound gorilla in this field, and has helped millions of people), this isn't "in your face" religious like the majority o 12 step initiatives: you can take or leave the "Buddhist Element" and get a lot out of this book. Also, unlike AA/NA, this doesn't take an "all or nothing approach." and doesn't deem the person experiencing these problems "powerless" or having a lifetime disease.
Nevertheless, AA is very effective in dealing with people at all stages
of the addiction recovery cycle, while this work is really more appropriate for people in a post abstinence phase and in preventing relapse- although it does give "some" credence to the highly controversial moderation maintenance approach for people with less severe cases of this affliction. Bien, also, gives an excellent portrayal of Diclemete's Stages of Change model for addiction and recovery, and, as I stated originally, is perhaps the most insightful contemporary book (AA started in the 1930's)for a mass audience in this domain. Also, Ellis, before his passing last year, was rumored to be working on a book linking cognitive (in his case rebt) thought and mindfulness, a noble and, perhaps, necessary global synthesis. Finally, I know my statements could draw some ire from AA diehards, where I think that their general inability to tolerate criticism, like some world religions, is one of their greatest weaknesses.
"
~ Written on 2008-06-14
and addiction. I have read most of the classic works in this field including AA's "The Big Book," Albert Ellis's book "When AA doesn't Work for you," "Sober For Good....." and work as a volunteer group facilitator for SMART Recovery, a self help group based on Ellis's REBT and Cognitive Psychology that has an astounding success rate in a very short time span.
The book is very sensitively written, and contains much wisdom and practices on dealing with this devastating social, psychological epidemic, which is spreading rapidly due to the increasingly stressful aspects of modern life. I particularly liked what the author says about the importance of living in the movement and the 9 doors of recovery.
There is a westernized, non-religious, Buddhist ideological foundation based on compassion, mindfulness, and living an authentic life in the "NOW." However, unlike the largely Christian based AA (which is the proverbial 1200 pound gorilla in this field, and has helped millions of people), this isn't "in your face" religious like the majority o 12 step initiatives: you can take or leave the "Buddhist Element" and get a lot out of this book. Also, unlike AA/NA, this doesn't take an "all or nothing approach." and doesn't deem the person experiencing these problems "powerless" or having a lifetime disease.
Nevertheless, AA is very effective in dealing with people at all stages
of the addiction recovery cycle, while this work is really more appropriate for people in a post abstinence phase and in preventing relapse- although it does give "some" credence to the highly controversial moderation maintenance approach for people with less severe cases of this affliction. Bien, also, gives an excellent portrayal of Diclemete's Stages of Change model for addiction and recovery, and, as I stated originally, is perhaps the most insightful contemporary book (AA started in the 1930's)for a mass audience in this domain. Also, Ellis, before his passing last year, was rumored to be working on a book linking cognitive (in his case rebt) thought and mindfulness, a noble and, perhaps, necessary global synthesis. Finally, I know my statements could draw some ire from AA diehards, where I think that their general inability to tolerate criticism, like some world religions, is one of their greatest weaknesses.
"
~ Written on 2008-06-14
"This is definitely a book worth reading, whether you are dealing with your own addiction (of any kind) or if someone you know is. It is written from a "spiritual" perspective, though not spiritual in the sense of any one particular religious or philosophical tradition. For example, the author looks for inspiration from Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, etc.
Thomas Bien writes in a gentle, understanding and encouraging tone. This is one of those books that can be picked up and read a few pages at a time, from any point. It is worth your time and money."
~ Written on 2006-11-09
Thomas Bien writes in a gentle, understanding and encouraging tone. This is one of those books that can be picked up and read a few pages at a time, from any point. It is worth your time and money."
~ Written on 2006-11-09
"An excellent book with a good line into spirituality for those with an aversion to organized religion. Those working in the recovery often have a block thown up when trying to get a client to release his/her preconceived ideas about manipulating the environment. This book provides an excellent approach toward the concept of spirituality as a separate entity from religious beliefs without impinging on them. "
~ Written on 2006-11-04
~ Written on 2006-11-04
" This book uses Buddhist philosophy integrated with Western science to help readers discover and define meaning and purpose in life. It's not only a book about overcoming addiction, but can help anyone to find a more fulfilling way of life."
~ Written on 2005-09-11
~ Written on 2005-09-11