Tao of Our understanding Alcohol Recovery Podcast

Is sobriety like everything else? Get educated, work hard, and if you don't get it at first, double down and work even harder? Or is sobriety the opposite? Instead, are we to place our effort in helping others as a way of helping ourselves. Is sobriety all about unlearning? About forgetting what I think I know? 30 Tools to Stay Sober Before, During, and After the Holidays; https://buddyc.org/wp-co...

Recovery, similar to the path of virtue, can only be described. Words cannot explain the power of love; love must be experienced.  Shareable link to download 23 Ways to Stay Sober During the Holidays; https://buddyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/23-Tools-to-Stay-Sober111921.pdf Info on the new book, Powerless But Not Helpless, the free daily Tao Recovery Email, Sensei Elliston's new book, and muc...

In this episode, we discussed the tools we use to enjoy the holidays sober. For many, this is the first holiday season sober. Can we go to functions? How do we deal with the contrary family member that always pushes our buttons? This was an excellent discussion! Some of the tools discussed; Attend as many AA meetings as possible AND participate. Get a Sponsor and work the steps. When tempted, thin...

Why is it that some of us can get sober and others cannot? Where is our effort needed? Where is our effort not required? Is it just about working harder and doing better? Info on the new book, Powerless But Not Helpless, the free daily Tao Recovery Email, Sensei Elliston's new book, and much more; www. BuddyC.org Zen Home Meditation Training https://www.aszc.org/sitting-with-sensei Join our privat...

Sensei Michael Elliston shares his thoughts on the 13th verse of the Tao Te Ching from a Zen perspective. Good conversation about the trap of hope and how some types of hope can keep us from accepting the moment and steal our peace. Sample verses of Buddy's new book, Powerless But Not Helpless, a link to Sensei Elliston's book, plus links to the other reading materials we reference on this podcast...

Where do we find lasting contentment? We discussed how our search for contentment must turn inward and that one of the first steps of looking inward is learning to live in the moment. Today's reading; https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Code:gff,sm,jhmd,rh/section:80 Info on the new book, Powerless But Not Helpless, plus free daily Tao Recovery Email; www. BuddyC.org Order Sensei Elliston's new book; h...

Why does giving make way for us to receive? Can we live empty of judgment and ego so we can be the mirror for our friends to see solutions to their perceived problems? Info on the new book, Powerless But Not Helpless; www. BuddyC.org Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+original+frontier&qid=...

We learn in recovery that we change from the inside out. When we try to satisfy life from the outside inward, this story is the result. We saw the problem in this story and the solution in the 37th verse of the Tao Te Ching. Info on the new book, Powerless But Not Helpless; www. BuddyC.org Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/076436088...

Sensei Michael Elliston shares his thoughts on the 12th verse of the Tao Te Ching from a Zen perspective. Our outward senses can dull the sensitivity of our inner intuitive voice. Info on the new book, Powerless But Not Helpless; www. BuddyC.org Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+original+f...

Could Non-Being be described as love? Excellent conversation concerning surrender and Step 2. Could relief come from our surrender and stopping the fight rather than the intervention of a Higher Power? Words that are difficult to write to describe a conversation that was spot on. Info on the new book, Powerless But Not Helpless; www. BuddyC.org Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon....

Where is the Tao? What is the Tao? What actions can we take to become more aware of the Tao at work in all things? All situations? All people? At work in everything! Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+original+frontier&qid=1599168689&sr=8-1 Sensei Elliston's Podcast, Unmind; https://www.asz...

This story reminds us of the gift of not having to know. This is a gift most of us never realize that we already possess. Excellent conversation! Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+original+frontier&qid=1599168689&sr=8-1 Sensei Elliston's Podcast, Unmind; https://www.aszc.org/unmind Zen Hom...

This is a story about Knowledge seeking the Tao. The answer was not in Knowledge but in Nothingness(emptiness)—a good discussion of applying the principle of nothingness to our lives. We also discussed how the Big Book of AA is a book of experience rather than a book of knowledge. Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_...

Sensei Michael Elliston shares his thoughts on the 10th verse of the Tao Te Ching from a Zen perspective. From the text, this became a conversation about emptiness.  Sensei gives us a thorough explanation of how the ancient masters of Zen Buddhism taught emptiness. Next week, our story about seeking nothingness(emptiness) gives us Chaung Tzu's view on emptiness, diving into the spiritual applicati...

This story reminds us of the paradox of truth; what gives us peace and joy is not in what we thought would give us peace and joy. What we are looking for can be found in the last place we would think to look. Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+original+frontier&qid=1599168689&sr=8-1 Sensei...

The empty boat is a story that has been mused by many. Today we discuss how this story relates to recovery and how to apply these principles in our everyday lives. Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+original+frontier&qid=1599168689&sr=8-1 Sensei Elliston's Podcast, Unmind; https://www.aszc....

This story brought out another discussion of wu wei – effortless effort. How free we become when we stop trying to control what we think keeps us from being free! Amazing how quickly our thoughts pass when we are no longer disturbed in some way. Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+original+f...

Incredible discussion of how to surrender your way to that place of rest, that place of calmness and serenity as seen in the serenity prayer; God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_...

Why do we fight? Are we fighting because we are afraid? "The chief activator of our defects has been self-centered fear – primarily fear that we would lose something we already possessed or would fail to get something we demanded." 12 X 12 Page 76. An excellent discussion of the tools we use to surrender fear. Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seeke...

Many of us fall for the idea that outer success will bring us the inner success we crave. This story reinforces the fact that true achievement comes from learning to live life in the moment, with no need for the approval of others.   Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+original+frontier&qid=...

How do we stay in the moment, enjoy the journey, and surrender expectations? If this is one of your struggles, you will enjoy this conversation! Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+original+frontier&qid=1599168689&sr=8-1 Sensei Elliston's Podcast, Unmind; https://www.aszc.org/unmind Zen Home...

Another story showing us the path of unlearning – resting in the eternal, hidden place of no-place. This story also brought out the dynamic of alcohol being a substitute for letting go in life and the role of anonymity in recovery. I really appreciate the great discussion! Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0764360884/ref=sr_1_1?dchi...

Sensei Michael Elliston and special guest Seigstsu Roger Cochran, aka Dr. Cochran, share their thoughts on the 10th verse of the Tao Te Ching from a Zen perspective. What does it mean to observe? What should we expect from our meditation practice? How do we begin our meditation practice? How long should we meditate? Just a few of the questions we discussed today. Order Sensei Elliston's new book;...

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions" is a phrase we have heard often. When we refuse to accept what is, we try to fix and change people, places, and things into what we feel is best. Sometimes we take actions that are meant for good that end up being detrimental to ourselves or others. Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.com/Original-Frontier-Serious-Seekers-Guide/dp/0...

This story addresses the age-old question, "What is it that will make me fulfilled?" An excellent discussion of how we seek outwardly for what will bring purpose to our lives, not knowing we already possessed everything within. We eventually ended the conversation with a few minutes of discussion of wu wei. Contact us at Wisdom56321@gmail.com Order Sensei Elliston's new book; https://www.amazon.co...