Tao of Our understanding Alcohol Recovery Podcast

A good discussion of verse 26 of the Tao Te Ching from a Zen perspective with Sensei Elliston. "The inner is the foundation of the outer. The still is master of the restless. The Sage travels all day yet never leaves his inner treasure. Though the views are captivating and beg attention, he remains calm and uninvolved. Tell me, does the lord of a great empire go out begging for rice? One who seeks...

A good discussion of verse 25 of the Tao Te Ching from a Zen perspective with Sensei Elliston. "It is serene. Empty. Solitary. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present. It is the mother of the universe. For lack of a better name, I call it the Tao." TTC Verse 25, Stephen Mitchell Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom AA Meeting www. ZoomAAMeetings.com Tuesday 9 pm eastern and Thursday 4 pm eastern Tao AA Meeti...

You can access all meetings at www. TaoAAMeeting.com . This is a new link for all meetings. Other than the first Thursday of the month, we are forgoing recording for the moment. We also have a new unrecorded Tao AA Meeting every Tuesday at 9pm Eastern at the same link. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer lis...

If you want to possess something, you must first give it away. — Tao Te Ching, J. H. McDonald, Verse 36 Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc.org/recovery-resources/ 30 Tools to Stay Sober; https://buddyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/30-Tools-to-Stay-Sober120921.pdf Info o...

A good discussion of verse 24 of the Tao Te Ching from a Zen perspective with Sensei Elliston. "He who tries to shine dims his own light." TTC Verse 24, Stephen Mitchell Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc.org/recovery-resources/ 30 Tools to Stay Sober; https://buddyc.org/...

Today we finished our discussion of The Work by Byron Katie. We discussed her questions and answers on page 35 of the handout (link below to download) and her Katieisms. These quotes from her teachings demonstrate how "The Work" functions in everyday life. Link to Download Byron Katie's Workbook; https://thework.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/English_LB.pdf Don't forget to use the resources mentio...

Today we continued our discussion of the work of Byron Katie. We used examples to better understand how to turn our frustration around and see our part. Lots of tools to use in working steps 4 – 9. Next week we will finish with Katie's Q and A starting on page 35 of the PDF below. Link to Download Byron Katie's Workbook; https://thework.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/English_LB.pdf Don't forget to...

Today we continued our discussion of the work of Byron Katie. A good discussion of how compromise in one area of life affects all of life. Link to Download Byron Katie's Workbook; https://thework.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/English_LB.pdf Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://bu...

Today we started discussing the work of Byron Katie. Lots of acceptance and laying the groundwork for next week when we get into more of the meat of her message. We also discussed how our thoughts are not us and that we should take our thoughts personally. Another view of the acceptance of what is. Link to Download Byron Katie's Workbook; https://thework.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/English_LB.p...

Today we started discussing the work of Byron Katie. Lots of acceptance and laying the groundwork for next week when we get into more of the meat of her message. We also discussed how our thoughts are not us and that we should take our thoughts personally. Another view of the acceptance of what is. Link to Download Byron Katie's Workbook; https://thework.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/English_LB.p...

A good discussion of verse 23 of the Tao Te Ching from a Zen perspective with Sensei Elliston. "Open yourself to the Tao, then trust your natural responses; and everything will fall into place." TTC Verse 23, Stephen Mitchell Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc.org/recover...

…to perceive things without being blinded and to respond echolike without minding — Thomas Cleary, Wen-Tzu, Verse 8 Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc.org/recovery-resources/ 30 Tools to Stay Sober Before, During, and After the Holidays; https://buddyc.org/wp-content/uplo...

When people lose their essential nature by following desires, their actions are never correct. To govern a nation in that way results in chaos; to govern oneself in that way results in defilement. Therefore those who do not hear the Way have no means of returning to their essential nature. Those who do not understand things cannot be clear and calm. — Thomas Cleary, Wen-Tzu, Verse 7 Don't forget t...

A good discussion of verse 22 of the Tao Te Ching from a Zen perspective with Sensei Elliston. "If you want to be given everything, give everything up". TTC Verse 22 Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc.org/recovery-resources/ 30 Tools to Stay Sober Before, During, and Afte...

Sages do not replace the celestial with the human. Outwardly they evolve along with things, yet inwardly they do not lose their true state. So those who realize the Way return to clear tranquility. Those who find out about things end up without contrivance. They nurture the intelligence by calmness, unify the spirit by abstraction, and take to the gate of nothingness. — Thomas Cleary, Wen-Tzu, Ver...

Do we make progress spiritually by reading more books and learning more? Is our intellectual knowledge helpful? What does verse 5 mean when it says, "let your body be like a withered tree and your mind like dead ashes"? We discuss these questions and more in this week's podcast. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much...

Today we discussed the fourth verse of the Wen-Tzu. We also discussed verses 13 and 80 of the Tao Te Ching, among others. A lot of discussion about looking within and learning to observe through stillness. As with all truth, the path always returns to oneself. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of reso...

A good discussion of verse 21 of the Tao Te Ching from a Zen perspective with Sensei Elliston. We discussed, among other things, enlightenment, being in the moment, and the role meditation can play in the spiritual awakening process. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc.org...

Today we discussed the third verse of the Wen-Tzu. We also discussed verses 21 and 39 of the Tao Te Ching. A lot of discussion of "How to" today means a lot of discussion about Acceptance. We also discussed how we could look at others' beliefs as if we were all speaking our own language, not right or wrong, not superior or inferior. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to st...

Today we discussed the second verse of the Wen-Tzu, which compliments several verses of the Tao Te Ching. We discussed verses 48, 81, and several more. A good discussion today! The Sage's work is to "lay to rest their learned opinions."  Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc...

Today we discussed the first verse of the Wen-Tzu, which works very well with the first verse of the Tao Te Ching. A good discussion of how we see God, acceptance, providence, and how Love works in our life. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc.org/recovery-resources/ 30 To...

Today we started Thomas Cleary's 1991 translation of Wen-Tzu. According to the introduction, this is the first translation of this text into English. We covered all the pre-chapter material and will start on the first verse next week. A good conversation about the origins of the Wen-Tzu plus some of the basic teachings of Taoist thought; lots of acceptance, and looking within for the answers. We a...

How much of a role does unnecessary fear play in your life? A good conversation today with Sensei. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc.org/recovery-resources/ 30 Tools to Stay Sober Before, During, and After the Holidays; https://buddyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/30-To...

Today we finished Thomas Merton's book discussing the writings of Chuang Tzu. Our discussion brought out a great conversation that was totally unexpected; issues with pride and ego parallel venturing out of the shade and trying to outrun our shadow. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at ht...

Verse 73 of the Tao Te Ching reminds me that nothing escapes the net of Love! A fun recovery discussion of the thread of Love that is sewn into everything. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc.org/recovery-resources/ 30 Tools to Stay Sober Before, During, and After the Holi...