Freedom from Addiction - Chopra

[Theme2be]

Oh, I am interested as well, thank you, D.

I believe his insight is beyond his time and anything that would help is welcomed on this level of intelligence.

Thanks and I will also be looking into this.

I hope someone is helped, if not many.

[A Work in Progress]

Originally Posted by nancy

Sounds great. Thanks for the suggestion. I bought it and will let you know what I think.

Nancy and DB, I will look forward to hearing your thoughts. I bought one of his other recent books, a while back, and was disappointed. And I question his experience and/or expertise in this area... But I like what I saw of the outline that DB first posted...

wip

[DeeBee]

Damn, I can't find the book in the local bookstore! I mentioned it to my best friend at lunch today and YAY!! she has a copy in a box somewhere which she'll lend me.

[lushy]

I have it on hold at the library and will let you know what I think of it. Thanks for the tip Dee Bee.

[nancy]

Well this is a really fast read!

It's interesting in that it addresses all addictions. I think it makes a lot of valid points. I am going to try to be more regular about meditation. Also, the book features some good questions for reflection, self-analysis.

I guess the premise is that we seek relief from life's stresses and emotional pain through drugs including alcohol, but then the problems become worse when the drugs wear off. We never learn how to become balanced and peaceful in ourselves, without external sources.

Most chemicals that influence mood act by minicking natural messenger molecules in the brain. Abiding by the law of conservation of energy, when the brain receives an external chemical, which mimics what it normally manufactures, it reduces production. The brain is left without an inner or outer source, creating symptoms that are the opposite effect of the drug.... The debt is often equal or greater than the desired effect.

The second related problem with using drugs to modulate feelings is that your inner state becomes dependent upon something external. Even if the drug or behavior has minimal side effects, the dependency upon an outer source for inner comfort leaves one feeling vulnerable. More of a person's emotional and psychological resources are consumed to ensure a steady supply of the distress-relieving substance and anxiety arises if the outer source is not available.

Looks like they advocate a holistic approach to healing, through good nutrition, detoxification, yoga and meditation. Nothing new here really but as I wrote above, I am going to take meditation more seriously now.

The book also offers a Buddhist interpretation of the AA 12 steps. The interpretations
are interesting. But why refer to 12 steps at all? Reading the steps again made me realize how AA focused on correcting defects of character.

To Work in Progress, you are way past this book. I doubt it will give you anything new. Maybe it would help some of your clients. I gained something from it, but not sure it was worth the price. Would love to visit the Chopra Center though, sounds fabulous!

[DeeBee]

Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you thought. A friend of mine is sending it to me this weekend. She bought it to stop smoking and didn't rave about the book when I asked her.

I am also going to bear my brother in mind when reading the book as he has hit rock bottom with his drug addiction.

[A Work in Progress]

Originally Posted by nancy

Most chemicals that influence mood act by minicking natural messenger molecules in the brain. Abiding by the law of conservation of energy, when the brain receives an external chemical, which mimics what it normally manufactures, it reduces production. The brain is left without an inner or outer source, creating symptoms that are the opposite effect of the drug.... The debt is often equal or greater than the desired effect.

The second related problem with using drugs to modulate feelings is that your inner state becomes dependent upon something external. Even if the drug or behavior has minimal side effects, the dependency upon an outer source for inner comfort leaves one feeling vulnerable. More of a person's emotional and psychological resources are consumed to ensure a steady supply of the distress-relieving substance and anxiety arises if the outer source is not available.

Well, your summary/synthesis really says it all, Nancy, doesn't it? That, plus the recommendation to use methods such as yoga, meditation, etc. It does sound like a good book for those who are just learning about addiction/dependence, and trying to figure out how it might apply to them, and what to do about it.

DB, I would agree, it might be something helpful for your brother. I hope so.

Thanks for the book review, Nancy!

[DeeBee]

Well I finally got my grubby paws on the book - my front cover doesn't look anything like the latest copy tho as it's a very old dog eared copy.

Wip, I hope you are lurking as I think you will appreciate this book. I am on the fourth chapter and so far I think it's briliant.

Deepak believes that addicts are "seekers", albeit misguided ones. He says in his book " addicts are seekers of pleasure, perhaps even a kind of transcendent experience - and I want to emphasis that this kind of seeking is extreemly positive. But the addict is looking in the wrong places, he is going after something very important and we cannot afford to ignore the meaning of his search. At least initially the addict hopes to experience something wonderful, something that transcends an unsatisfactory or even tolerable everyday reality. There is nothing to be ashamed of in this impulse. On the contrary, it provides a foundation for true hope and real transformation"

This really resonated with me as I am forever seeking joy at the bottom of a bottle of wine.

[A Work in Progress]

Hi Deebs! Not just lurking... here I am, posting!

So, Deepak Chopra (along with Gerald May) is expanding on what Carl Jung wrote about addiction and spirituality. It's a compelling viewpoint, I agree. Not sure it is true for everyone... but for many of us, certainly so.

The way that I understand it... and that makes the most sense to me... is one snippet of what Jung said: "Spiritus contra spiritum," which I translate and interpret to mean BOTH that using "spirits," or alcohol, is inconsistent with a genuine spirituality; AND that practicing a genuine, healthy spirituality helps us to heal from the damage we have done by using "spirits."

So... did you decide to send it to your brother? Do you think it would be helpful to him? How's he doing, anyhow?

[DeeBee]

Great to hear from you Wip!

I think the book is definetly something I want to explore further... as for my brother... I haven't heard from him in 4 months now -- he hasn't replied to that e-mail I sent him, so I've backed off for now. He is communicating with my parents tho, so that's a good thing and it sounds like he might be trying to get his life in order, so I can only send good vibes his way, right? I can't take on his load too, I need to focus on myself for a while.

BTW, I was thinking of you today. I went into this gift shop and they had this little wooden plaque that you hang on your door knob -- you know like the "Do Not Disturb" signs in hotels? Well this one had a painting of a woman sitting with her feet up, reading a book, curlers in the hair and looking very relaxed with life and the sign said "A Work In Progress -- Do Not Disturb" LOL... how brilliant!!