Tao of Our understanding Alcohol Recovery Podcast

There was a great discussion today about grasping the ideas presented by the words rather than focusing on the words themselves. Do we focus on the finger rather than the moon that the finger is pointing at? Is it the surrender gained through our suffering that causes our insights?   Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a...

There was a great discussion today about grasping the ideas presented by the words rather than focusing on the words themselves. Do we focus on the finger rather than the moon that the finger is pointing at? Is it the surrender gained through our suffering that causes our insights?   Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a...

There was a great discussion today about grasping the ideas presented by the words rather than focusing on the words themselves. Do we focus on the finger rather than the moon that the finger is pointing at? Is it the surrender gained through our suffering that causes our insights?   Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a...

We have many substitutes for letting go, each with a greater degree of self-effort. 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-Tools-to-Stay-Sob...

A good discussion about the need to allow gratitude to bring us out of difficult situations: we also discussed the role fear plays in our life and if fear is necessary with differing 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.org/recovery-resources/ 30 Tools to Stay Sob...

Verse 74 reminds us that expectations of the future will harm us. When we live in fear of the future, we cause harm to our lives and those around us. The "God" Word Pamphlet - https://www.aa.org/sites/default/files/literature/assets/p-86_theGodWord.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...

Describing a strawberry does not compare to tasting a strawberry. The Tao cannot be mentally understood; the Tao can only be experienced! Thanks everyone for an excellent discussion! 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,...

Verse 18 describes the spiral downward when we take back control in any area of 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 Tools to Stay Sober Before, During, and After the Holidays; https://buddyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/30-Tools-to-Stay-S...

This story reminds us of how playing God does not work; We either demand too much or provide too much. Whenever we look to our understanding for the solution, we are looking in the wrong direction. The solutions for each of us come from within. 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:/...

What a great meeting! We have several possible names for this episode; Flight from the Moment, God is NOW, The Behaviors that take us out of the Moment, Aspects of Unacceptance, Acceptance is the Answer, etc. Regardless of how this episode is framed, it spoke to many group members. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year. You can find a mu...

Excellent discussion! This verse gives us instructions on how to discern life and death in everyday situations. The challenge is not only to remain flexible when life is difficult but also to allow flexibility in success. 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-re...

Today I find it's the best thing that has ever happened to me. This proves I don't know what's good for me. And if I don't know what's good for me, then I don't know what's good or bad for you or for anyone. So I'm better off if I don't give advice, don't figure I know what's best, and just accept life on life's terms, as it is today-especially my own life, as it actually is. Alcoholics Anonymous...

How does the master act? He takes the next righting action – not right action (vs. the wrong action). The next action that balances like righting a ship. Thank you, Sensei, for that nugget! We also discussed instead of having faith and believing our way into righting actions, our actions of love balance our beliefs. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time...

How do we use our talents without stressing over our job performance? How far can our talents take us? Do we have access to anything more than our talents? What is our part? How do we live life from a place of love and acceptance rather than from fear? These are some of the questions discussed today in the podcast. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time...

How do we use our talents without stressing over our job performance? How far can our talents take us? Do we have access to anything more than our talents? What is our part? How do we live life from a place of love and acceptance rather than from fear? These are some of the questions discussed today in the podcast. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time...

How do we use our experience, rather than excessive effort, to draw in our extremes and prepare us to serve? Is this process similar to drawing a bow? We also discussed the names we give our Higher Power and how so much of our religious thinking is attached to the word, God. The "God" Word Pamphlet - https://www.aa.org/sites/default/files/literature/assets/p-86_theGodWord.pdf Don't forget to use t...

The peace I am looking for is always found within – never in my successes or selfish deeds that I disguise as altruistic. We also discussed the difference in Alanon between the desire to fix others and genuine loving kindness. 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/recove...

One of our best discussions ever concerning several topics relating to working the program without a traditional God belief! Who do we surrender to? What is acceptance? Does acceptance mean I approve of the situation? How are our character defects removed in steps 6 & 7 if God is not removing them? Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober any time during the year....

Our spiral from spiritual fitness to thinking a drink would be a good idea can be very subtle. This story demonstrates the spiral. For me, if there is something in my life that I start to control that I should be surrendering, I will lose my peace. If I remain in that state of peacelessness long enough (step 2), I start having outward unmanageability (step 1). The outward unmanageability can take...

Verse 78 of the Tao Te Ching is all about the characteristics of water. We discuss how water is our example of acceptance in all life interactions. 30 Tools to Stay Sober: https://buddyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/30-Tools-to-Stay-Sober120921.pdf 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 H...

Being governed from within is one way to describe the purpose of all spiritual practices. How do we recognize our inner, intuitive knowing? What are the warning signs that we are looking outward again? How has recovery helped us with this 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 http...

Good discussion on stillness and meditation too! 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-Tools-to-Stay-Sober120921.pdf Info on the new book,...

Excellent conversation! What does Taoist Literature say about new years resolutions? Is it ok to make plans? Can I set goals and still follow the Tao? Don't forget to use the resources below for tools to stay sober, not only during the holidays but at any time throughout the year. You can find a much longer list of resources at https://buddyc.org/recovery-resources/ 30 Tools to Stay Sober Before,...

We believe this story is all about how we protect ourselves from losing our peace and joy. Don't forget to use the resources mentioned below for tools to stay sober, not only during the holidays but at 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-...

An excellent discussion of how to mend family relationships. Someone has to be vulnerable and reach out in kindness to mend relationships. Each attendee brought an example of working with relatives in difficult situations and how to apply what they have learned in recovery. 30 Tools to Stay Sober Before, During, and After the Holidays; https://buddyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/30-Tools-to-Stay...