In Buddhist scripture, we are taught that human beings are cosmically lucky because we have a level of consciousness that allows us greater opportunities for enlightenment and happiness than animals and lesser beings possess. Yes, we suffer and are painfully aware of our suffering, but this awareness is precisely what gives a doorway out of it. I've been sitting on this and thinking about my alcoholism a lot lately. Truth be told, I have spent most of the summer wishing I could unzip my head, remove about half my brain (all the bad stuff), and feed it to a large mountain cat of some sort. I've been holding on to the resentment I feel toward the disease, feeling "cursed" and pitying myself. This morning, however, it really hit me how many blessings have come from being an alcoholic - the most prominent being that I found AA. I'm still not at the point of being "thankful" to be afflicted, but via AA I have met some of the most incredible people in my life, have learned first hand about resiliency, and been given tangible instructions for becoming a better human being. It's just an interesting place to be - I feel like a life of addiction leads us to a crossroads where we can become devout in our recovery and pursue divine happiness, or we can give in and tumble straight into hell. I don't really know if there is a static in-between space. Just some random thoughts.
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When every situation which life can offer is turned to the profit of spiritual growth, no situation can really be a bad one.-Paul Brunton
I feel like a life of addiction leads us to a crossroads where we can become devout in our recovery and pursue divine happiness, or we can give in and tumble straight into hell. I don't really know if there is a static in-between space. Just some random thoughts.
Well Adam.....If you believe anything in that book....I'd say the static in-between space isn't one of the options they give us.
If you are as seriously alcoholic as we were, we believe there is no middle-of-the-road solution. We were in a position where life was becoming impossible, and if we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could; and the other, to accept spiritual help. This we did because we honestly wanted to, and were willing to make the effort.
In Buddhist scripture, we are taught that human beings are cosmically lucky because we have a level of consciousness that allows us greater opportunities for enlightenment and happiness than animals and lesser beings possess. Yes, we suffer and are painfully aware of our suffering, but this awareness is precisely what gives a doorway out of it.
Furthermore, we are told that greater beings than us are experiencing so much bliss that they can't be bothered to seek enlightenment.
I've been sitting on this and thinking about my alcoholism a lot lately. Truth be told, I have spent most of the summer wishing I could unzip my head, remove about half my brain (all the bad stuff), and feed it to a large mountain cat of some sort.
The cats name is Nash. You'll get this later. It should be quite funny when you do.
I feel like a life of addiction leads us to a crossroads where we can become devout in our recovery and pursue divine happiness, or we can give in and tumble straight into hell. I don't really know if there is a static in-between space. Just some random thoughts.
I have often said that addiction and recovery is like a trampoline. The lower you go (spiritually), the higher you can soar...assuming the fabric doesn't tear first.
I don't know the first thing about Buddhism or Buddhist scripture, but the analogy is right on point. It fits so well into my recovery scheme that it's hard not to notice. Thanks, again.
