Review
The Buddha was in recovery . Taking this bold statement as a starting point, this wonderful book shows how we are all addicted to aspects of life and can all benefit from training our minds and hearts to be free of the tyranny of compulsion. The Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR) programme draws on a wide range of the Buddha s practical, yet deeply profound, teachings. Over the eight steps you are given a priceless gift the possibility to gain mastery over your mind and heart and find freedom. --Vidyamala Burch, founder and co-director of Breathworks, author of 'Mindfulness for Health'
Through Buddhist teachings, personal experiences, and case examples, this book provides a wise illustration of the fundamental processes underlying a broad range of addictive behaviors. Mason-John and Groves offer here a practical and compassionate step-by-step guide to freedom from the deep trappings and suffering of addiction. --Sarah Bowen, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, author of 'Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Addictive Behaviors: A Clinician's Guide'
The eight steps outlined here provide a simple, wise and practical approach to recovery from a wide range of compulsive patterns of behavior associated with suffering. They provide a spiritual pathway to recovery for people from any faith tradition, as well as for those who are not religious, and for those who suffer from addiction as well as those who are simply aware of the suffering associated with the human condition. This is a book for everyone! --Professor Chris Cook, Director of the Project for Spirituality, Theology & Health, Durham University
From the Inside Flap
Winner of the 2014 USA Best Book Award in the Self-Help: Motivational category and Winner of the 2015 International Book Award in the Self-Help: Motivational category
Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction provides a spiritual pathway to recovery for people from any faith tradition, as well as for those who are not religious, and for those who suffer from addiction as well as those who are simply aware of the suffering associated with the human condition. This is a book for everyone!’ Professor Chris Cook, Director of the Project for Spirituality, Theology & Health, Durham University, UK
Blending Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery with traditional Buddhist teachings and moving personal stories, Valerie Mason-John and Dr Paramabandhu Groves give us a wise and compassionate approach to recovery from the range of addictions. This comprehensive approach to treatment will be a valuable tool for addicts and addiction professionals alike.’ Kevin Griffin, author of One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps
The Buddha was in recovery”. Taking this bold statement as a starting point, this wonderful book shows how we are all addicted to aspects of life and can all benefit from training our minds and hearts to be free of the tyranny of compulsion. The MBAR (Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery) programme draws on a wide range of the Buddha’s practical, yet deeply profound, teachings. Over the eight steps you are given a priceless gift the possibility to gain mastery over your mind and heart and find freedom.’ Vidyamala Burch, co-founder and director of Breathworks, author of Living Well with Pain and Illness and Mindfulness for Health
Human nature has an inbuilt tendency towards addiction. All of us can struggle with this tendency, but for some it can lead to the destruction of their lives, through obsessive and compulsive behaviour. We could say therefore that in some sense we are all in recovery.
It is no surprise that addiction is so widespread. We live in a world where many of us self-medicate in response to hardships, turning to food, drugs, alcohol, sex, relationships, work and so much more in an attempt to promote happiness.
Fortunately, recovery is widespread too. What can the Buddha’s teachings offer us in our recovery from addiction? They offer an understanding of how the mind works, tools for helping a mind that is vulnerable to addiction, and ways to overcome addictive and obsessive behaviour, cultivating a calm and clear mind without anger and resentments. The Buddha’s teachings offer us a path of recovery.
Whether you are struggling to stay off heroin or with an obsessive pattern of thinking that prevents you from leading a more fulfilling life, the same principles the Eight Steps of this book apply. These steps take you away from the trouble caused by addictive tendencies, helping you untangle these drives, to discover a richer and more fulfilling way of living.
From the Back Cover
Winner of the 2014 USA Best Book Award in the Self-Help: Motivational category and Winner of the 2015 International Book Award in the Self-Help: Motivational category
Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha s Teachings to Overcome Addiction provides a spiritual pathway to recovery for people from any faith tradition, as well as for those who are not religious, and for those who suffer from addiction as well as those who are simply aware of the suffering associated with the human condition. This is a book for everyone! Professor Chris Cook, Director of the Project for Spirituality, Theology & Health, Durham University, UK
Blending Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery with traditional Buddhist teachings and moving personal stories, Valerie Mason-John and Dr Paramabandhu Groves give us a wise and compassionate approach to recovery from the range of addictions. This comprehensive approach to treatment will be a valuable tool for addicts and addiction professionals alike. Kevin Griffin, author of One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps
The Buddha was in recovery . Taking this bold statement as a starting point, this wonderful book shows how we are all addicted to aspects of life and can all benefit from training our minds and hearts to be free of the tyranny of compulsion. The MBAR (Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery) programme draws on a wide range of the Buddha s practical, yet deeply profound, teachings. Over the eight steps you are given a priceless gift the possibility to gain mastery over your mind and heart and find freedom. Vidyamala Burch, co-founder and director of Breathworks, author of Living Well with Pain and Illness and Mindfulness for Health
Human nature has an inbuilt tendency towards addiction. All of us can struggle with this tendency, but for some it can lead to the destruction of their lives, through obsessive and compulsive behaviour. We could say therefore that in some sense we are all in recovery.
It is no surprise that addiction is so widespread. We live in a world where many of us self-medicate in response to hardships, turning to food, drugs, alcohol, sex, relationships, work and so much more in an attempt to promote happiness.
Fortunately, recovery is widespread too. What can the Buddha s teachings offer us in our recovery from addiction? They offer an understanding of how the mind works, tools for helping a mind that is vulnerable to addiction, and ways to overcome addictive and obsessive behaviour, cultivating a calm and clear mind without anger and resentments. The Buddha s teachings offer us a path of recovery.
Whether you are struggling to stay off heroin or with an obsessive pattern of thinking that prevents you from leading a more fulfilling life, the same principles the Eight Steps of this book apply. These steps take you away from the trouble caused by addictive tendencies, helping you untangle these drives, to discover a richer and more fulfilling way of living.
About the Author
Vimalasara is a playwright and the author of seven books. She is a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order, and works as a consultant in Conflict Transformation. Dr. Paramabandhu Groves is a consultant psychiatrist working in the National Health Service in the UK, specializing in the field of addiction. He is a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order.
