Refuge Recovery: A Buddhist Path to Recovering from Addiction

by Noah Levine

Overview

Bestselling author and renowned Buddhist teacher Noah Levine adapts the Buddha's Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path into a proven and systematic approach to recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—an indispensable alternative to the 12-step program.

While many desperately need the help of the 12-step recovery program, the traditional AA model's focus on an external higher power can alienate people who don't connect with its religious tenets. Refuge Recovery is a systematic method based on Buddhist principles, which integrates scientific, non-theistic, and psychological insight.

Viewing addiction as cravings in the mind and body, Levine shows how a path of meditative awareness can alleviate those desires and ease suffering. Refuge Recovery includes daily meditation practices, written investigations that explore the causes and conditions of our addictions, and advice and inspiration for finding or creating a community to help you heal and awaken.

Practical yet compassionate, Levine's successful Refuge Recovery system is designed for anyone interested in a non-theistic approach to recovery and requires no previous experience or knowledge of Buddhism or meditation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062122841
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/10/2014
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	133,102
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Noah Levine, M.A., has been using Buddhist practices to recover from addiction since 1988. He is the founding teacher of Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Introduction ix

The Process xi

Part 1 The Four Truths Of Recovery

1 Addiction Creates Suffering 3

2 The Cause of Addiction Is Repetitive Craving 11

3 Recovery Is Possible 19

4 The Path to Recovery 23

5 Understanding 27

6 Intention 41

7 Communication/Community 49

8 Action/Engagement 55

9 Livelihood/Service 65

10 Effort/Energy 71

11 Mindfulness/Meditations 77

12 Concentration/Meditations 85

13 The Path to Heartfulness 89

14 Breaking the Addiction 93

Part 2 Reflections On Recovery

15 Lynne 105

16 Jordan 113

17 Dave 125

18 Mary 141

19 Pablo 151

20 Enrique 159

21 RuthAnn 165

22 Andrea 183

Appendixes

Mindfulness Meditation Instructions 190

Heart Practices 207

Format for Refuge Recovery Meetings 227

Editorial Reviews

05/12/2014
Levine (Dharma Punx) offers Refuge Recovery, the Buddhist-inspired program for addicts that he helped create and implement in various cities throughout the U.S. The first half presents the principles and process of the program, in which the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism are foundational. Similar to Alcoholics Anonymous’ stance of faith in the process of recovery and the group or community, Levine’s program “does not ask anyone to believe anything, only to trust the process and do the hard work of recovery.” The process involves acknowledging the ways in which suffering is brought about and perpetuated. It also advocates individual and group mindfulness practice to break out of the vicious cycle of addiction, teaching addicts to anchor in the present moment, away from unhealthy desires. The second half is a collection of stories from former addicts, recounting their downfall into addiction and their recovery through Buddhist practice and the Refuge Recovery program. Levine offers much to struggling addicts who are looking for recovery programs that are alternatives to the Christian-influenced AA/NA groups. Nonaddicts can also glean lessons for examining and managing problematic desires in their own lives. (June)

Publishers Weekly

The wisdom, lucidity and generous spirit of Refuge Recovery are a valuable first step on the lifelong journey of sobriety. . . . wise, humane and well-written.

Shelf Awareness

"The wisdom, lucidity and generous spirit of Refuge Recovery are a valuable first step on the lifelong journey of sobriety. . . . wise, humane and well-written." ---Shelf Awareness

From the Publisher