“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment” ~Buddha
A New Year naturally leads us to reflect on the recent past and to consider the year ahead, many of us make resolutions we will most likely never accomplish. In the context of recovery, understanding that the present is all you really have can be a real blessing, because “right now” is manageable. The past is gone, and the future is down the road. All you can control is what you’ll do here and now in the moment.
When we project toward the future or past, we are diverting valuable energy away from what we are going to do now.
The Power of Now and growth in recovery results in increased clarity, it is an investment in setting measurable goals for the future and achieving Spiritual Enlightenment.
It helps to continue practicing spiritual techniques and tools learned in treatment. Practicing meditation regularly aids with concentration, acts as a stress reliever and support in building a solid relationship with a higher power.
The benefits of yoga practice combined with meditation, serve as an enhancement to the 12-Steps approach.
Both the 12- Steps and meditation really demand an NOW presence and willingness to look at what is real and true. The benefits produced leads to self-awareness and acceptance.
Meditation and yoga integrated create a model that truly addresses addiction as the physical, mental, and spiritual disease that it is.
Through therapy, the Twelve Steps, a body-mind approach to healing and recovery or a combination of all three approaches seems to be the key to helping many people break the cycle of addiction and achieve spiritual well-being and sustainable long-term sobriety.
The Big Book promises that anyone can get and stay clean if they practice “rigorous honesty.” This is evident when we practice and live in the NOW present moment, we become whole and move towards healing and recovery.
You are all miracles, recovery is possible and living sober is so worth the effort.
Peace and blessings always.