BUDDHIST TWELVE STEP RECOVERY PROGRAMME

[dean haywood]

1.Admitted our addictive cravings over alcohol and (or) drugs and recognized its consequences in our lives.
the truth of suffering,we experienced the truth of our addictions,our lives were unmanageable suffering.
2.Came to believe that a power other than ourselves,could restore us to wholeness.
the truth of the origin of our suffering,we admit that we craved for and grasped onto our addictions as our refuge.
3.Made a decision to go to refuge to this other power as we understood it.
the truth of the end of suffering, we came to see that complete cessation of craving and clinging at addictions is neccesary
4.Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
the truth of the path, we made a decision to follow the way of liberation and to take refuge in our wakefulness ,our truth,and our fellowship.
5.Admitted to ourselves and another human being the exact moral nature of our past,
right view, we made a searching and fearless review of our life,we are willing to acknowledge and proclaim our truth to ourselves, another human being and the community.
6.Became entirely ready to work at transforming ourselves,
right thought,we are mindful that we create the causes for suffering and liberation,our goodness is indestructible.
7.With the assistance of others and our own firm resolve, we transformed unskilful aspects of ourselves and cultivated positive ones,
right speech, we purify,confess,and ask forgiveness,straightforwardly and with out judgment we are willing to forgive others.
8. Made a list of people and things we had harmed ,
right action, we made a list of all persons and things we harmed and are willing and able to actively make amends to them all,unless to do so would be harmful to them or there families.
9.Made direct amends to such people where possible, except when to do so would injure them or others,in addition made conscientious effort to forgive those who harmed us,
right livelihood ,we simplify our lives realizing we are interconnected, we select a vocation that supports our recovery.
10.continue to maintain awareness of our actions and motives, and when we were acted unskillfully or selfishly promptly admitted it.
right effort, we realiz.e that continuing to follow this path no matter what is joyful effort.
11.Engaged through the practice of meditation and chanting to improve our conscious contact with ourselves our true selves,and seeking that which is beyond self,also that to use prayer as we understood prayer as a means to cultivate positive attitudes and states of mind,
right mindfulness, through prayer,meditation,chanting and action we follow the path of kindness,being mindful moment by moment.
12.Having gained a spiritual insight as a result of these steps,we practice these principles in all areas of our lives,and to make this message available to all others in need of recovery.
right concentration,open to the spirit of awakening as a result of these steps,we carry this message to all people suffering with addictions.

[caroline brazier]

Thank you Dean. We really appreciated your presentation yesterday and several of the students commented on how good they had found it.

[dean haywood]

thank you,Iam pleased people found it useful.in truth i was terrified at first,but them began to enjoy it when people opened up. its true how sometimes people have to go through pain to find there faith and there path in life.i may have had to go through years of pain to find my faith in amida and the pureland path,but i wouldn't change a thing,because iam were i want to be today. my faith is so important to me and brings me understanding and happiness in being me,Namo Amida Bu.h

[richard meyers]

Dear Dean,
Just wanted to thank you again for your work here. Thought provoking, helpful and something I shall return to for guidence.
Hope this finds you well.

Namo Amida Bu

[dean haywood]

The hardest part of recovery from any addiction is to admit it even exists.To admit that onces life has become terrible suffering because one cannot let go of a craving for a substance takes a lot of courage.usually it is only when this addiction has become so painful and life so unmanageable and you have hit a personal rock bottom,that you can even admit to having a problem.The first step is about acceptance.to fully understand the consequences of your actions and to recognize the destruction you cause to yourself and others,to admit that your craving has become your refuge your higher power in life.step one is the building blocks to the foundations of your recovery.total acceptance that life in addiction is unmanageable suffering,and to believe there is another way,to find refuge in something good and worthwhile.to let go absol utly .to surrender,to stop fighting,to be totally honest with yourself.once you can fully accept step one,then you have begone the journey into a life free of addiction.it isnt easy and can still at times be very painful, but from these pains we grow and move a day at a time foreward through the steps of recovery.

[Fiona Robyn]

Hi Dean - we met briefly during the October block - hi! I just found your post: "The hardest part of recovery from any addiction is to admit it even exists.To admit that onces life has become terrible suffering because one cannot let go of a craving for a substance takes a lot of courage.usually it is only when this addiction has become so painful and life so unmanageable and you have hit a personal rock bottom,that you can even admit to having a problem." Just wanted to say how helpful it was for me to read it - I'm a member of Al Anon and have been for a year now, and it's been the most amazingly helpful thing for me. Someone very close to me drinks, but doesn't feel they have a problem - it's really hard looking in and it being SO obvious to me, and it's really helped me to learn about how the addict is usually the LAST to know because of the huge consequences of admitting the truth.

Thanks for your contributions here and your talk during the Oct block.

Namo Amida Bu.

[dean haywood]

hi fiona i remember you,thank you for your comments,i know how painful it must be,to see someone destroying there life, for a substance in a bottle,but the alcoholic does not want to loose what to them is there only friend ,fear is a big factor, when i was active i was afraid to stop because i was afraid to face reality, i could cope with chaos i knew it well. but reality seemed boring and mundane and i was afraid.it is an illness of acceptance. my heart goes to you i hope who ever it is in your life who needs to find peace finds it, but i would say to you, if you cant help them then accept it and find peace in the fact that they are bombu, bless you namo amida bu

[Fiona Robyn]

Thanks Dean. Will send you a message!