Recovery Dharma: How to Use Buddhist Practices and Principles to Heal the Suffering of Addiction

I didn't take a picture because it will look like what you see in the ad. It's 112 pages. I would say it's a short read, but you may find yourself referring back to it from time to time. It's not your traditional approach like AA. It is based on Eastern Philosophy. I find it very calming. Even if you aren't an addict; maybe your job is stressful. You can apply the teachings. There are even meetings you can attend online if you don't have them in your area.

Hi, participated in AA for a couple of years and read the big book as well as The 12 steps and 12 traditions. I felt miserable as a result of reading both books. This is a powerful book that empowers people to overcome addictions as well as poor habits without forcing religion. I’m so glad I purchased it.!

[sarcasm on]What is McDharma? The word McDharma doesn’t have a single English meaning. For centuries, the most commonly accepted translation was, "Western Secular Buddhism taught by Western Teachers of Dominant Identities. (It implies that the millions of people using worship/chanting in the Eastern Dharma is both lunacy and negligible.)" The McDharma is best known for stripping Buddhism of its eons of Buddhist heritage and propagates the rumor that Noah Levine™ is the real founder of Buddhism. Fortunately, the 2nd Edition included writers of non-dominant identities, counterbalancing the erasure of Buddhist roots and returning to the Dharma. And for the first time, we have a recovery program that restores balance to the exclusively dominant narrative through the inclusion of the lived experiences of non-dominant identities.[/sarcasm off]SO WHAT'S NEW IN THE 2ND EDITION?Besides 50+ new additions/revisions, the main updates that I found revolved around: • Trauma's impact on addiction • Clarifying very important concepts • Welcoming, honoring, and validating the traumas of non-dominant identities.EXAMPLES? • More Trauma-Informed Updates:e.g: "Race-based trauma, as well as [from] discrimination or bigotry, can accumulate over a lifetime. When these incidents [are] experienced cumulatively, they can become extremely difficult to cope with. ...body responses that may arise from this kind of trauma often overlap with the symptoms of [long-term or Complex] PTSD." • Excellent Clarity:e.g. In the 1st Edition, Karma translates to "action." In the 2nd Edition, Karma is "what our actions create." Which means the consequence is directly tied to the action. It's like me saying—'When I said cause, I really meant "the laws of cause and effect."' There are many subtle but key clarifications like this sprinkled throughout the book. • Inclusion of Non-Dominant Identities: This is the first book of recovery I've seen where the non-dominant identity gets validated (for example, via the discrimination of race/gender/sexuality/poverty). In other programs they have always said these were outside issues.e.g.: "Some of us have experienced trauma ... due to being a minority in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class status & disability status..." • Cultural Humility: The 2nd Edition is widely inclusive, and no longer centers around the dominant identity experience.If "the Path has ...nothing to do with ...prayer, worship, or ceremony...." then why is it that when I visit my local Buddhist temple, I see many Asian Buddhists chanting, praying, worshipping as part of their Path? The McDharma would say those people don't count as real Buddhists. But in the 2nd Edition, they've addressed such cultural dismissals. It's awesome. Less McDharma.PERSONAL STORIESIn addition, there are 14 deeply personal stories by members, like you or me.Some stories talk about how Recovery Dharma got started. All of the stories are inspiring. Although most stories focused primarily on substance use disorder, I was most interested in the stories about process addictions. There are 2 stories focused entirely on process addictions. Both are very powerful.• Gambling Addiction — Ned’s Story on page 91.• Sex Addiction — Unity’s Story on page 100.The book’s not perfect—I wish the inquiries had more grounding suggestions, or trauma-activation and self-care tips offered. But I guess they had to leave something for the 3rd Edition.I really came to love this edition. I wasn't excited about a 2nd Edition, but as I compared between versions, I found a ton of appreciation for every little edit that was made. (And I can't believe i'm saying this but I even am starting to like the new wonky Dharma ring thing on the cover.)

I've been sober awhile and been involved with multiple 12 step programs but had a very basic understanding of Buddhism(although I've always been curious about it). This book is written in a style similar to the 12&12 of AA, so with plain language it explores and explains the tenets of Buddhism for anyone whose been affected by addiction. The 4 noble truths and the 8 fold path are simple concepts that can help anyone to deal with life and suffering. The Recovery Dharma groups that I'm a part of use this text and 8 Step Recovery by Valerie Mason-John & Paramabandhu Groves, and we just cycle between the two. The 2nd book goes deeper, but this one is excellent for it's simplicity and ease of access.https://www.amazon.com/Eight-Step-Recovery-Teachings-Addiction/dp/1911407120/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=8+step+recovery+buddhist&qid=1670622212&sprefix=8+step+re%2Caps%2C277&sr=8-1

Interesting read with a bit simplistic approach to conquering addictions.

I came across Recovery Dharma right after the book's publishing and it was beyond just a breath of fresh air. I had struggled for years in other recovery programs but always seem to fail. With Recovery Dharma I was able to quiet my mind long enough so that I may finally take a good honest look at life and the way I was living. It helped me lean into the discomfort of my suffering so that I could finally understand and accept it. After that, it was the 8-Fold Path that gave me the tool to live not only a productive and happy life but it taught me how to be a compassionate human being full of joy, love, and peace. Thank you to the writers, you have no idea how much this book and this program have changed my life.I just wish it was more well-known in the recovery community. It's a 12-step program, is it not? The 4 Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path so there you go, that's 12. Mark my words, this program can and will save millions, who are we to stand in the way of that? We're only mere humans.May all being be happyMay all beings be safeMay all beings be healthyMay all beings live a life of ease.-Metta

12 step programs are just a piece of my recovery from drugs and alcohol. I use the Buddhist principles in every day life and in my recovery. This book is my go to for daily recovery practices. I love it! So happy I found it !

Concise information on the subject.

This book is a priceless treasure, and yet it is freely available to anyone looking for freedom from addiction. The printed copies from Amazon are shockingly affordable considering the exceptional quality offered by Amazon's print-on-demand service which is used to deliver them to people.The book itself was written by inspired volunteers, several of them professional writers who donated their time to the project. It explains the essentials of Buddhist thought and practice in a way that both respects the original teachings, and makes them as accessible as possible to a general audience. Of course the focus is always on healing the pain of addiction, and every teaching is tied back to those particular struggles. In addition to the Buddhist wisdom, Recovery Dharma also offers a huge amount of simple common-sense advice for maintaining sobriety and recovery.Recovery Dharma is consciously trauma-informed, and aims to be a safe and gentle book, a welcome relief from other programs which push their proposed solutions with absolutism and strict rules. This is a path of guidelines and tools to use if they are helpful, and leave behind if they aren't.While this book is available for free on the Recovery Dharma website in various ebook and audiobook formats, I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to buy a physical copy and make it yours. Corner the pages, underline your favorite parts, make it a beautiful mess just like your recovery.Of course, the book on it's own isn't enough, you need to join the meetings! The Recovery Dharma website will help you find online meetings that are nearly around the clock. Please, if you need help, start by joining a meeting and talking to the people there. Help is available, and the Recovery Dharma program can work for anyone willing to let go of suffering and welcome love and compassion into their hearts.

Good value for money

The new edition of Recovery Dharma is a re-edited improvement on the original. Some language has been simplified and some explanations are clarified.The best part of this new edition is the inclusion of personal recovery stories from fourteen contributors who have used these principles and practices to find within themselves the power to change and heal.

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