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Zen Habits - Meditation for Beginners

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my online adventures I've come across the excellent blog, "Zen Habits." Among their recent posts was this meditation guide for beginners. I'm including a link since in its first tips it suggests starting for two minutes a day and doing it first thing in the morning. The philosophies of change through action, and of taking time at the beginning of the day, line up quite well with the Big Book's suggestions for Steps 10 and 11.

 

I highly recommend clicking over and giving it a read. Even if you get only one or two things you can use in your daily routine (though I bet you get more) it's well worth your time.

 

 

Meditation for Beginners: 20 Practical Tips for Understanding the Mind

 

 

 

 

 

has nothing to do with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lao accepts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easier said than done, Lao. Easier said than done. I'm doin' my best, though. Prayer helps. And sharing in meetings.

 

 

Shooters - Quick shots from meetings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm an alcoholic... which basically means I'm an angry people pleaser who swings wildly back and forth from doormat to defiant.

 

 

Laughter in an AA meeting almost always indicates identification.

Personally, when I heard this, I howled.

 

 

 

 

 

Iyanla believes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

feeling gratitude

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.

 

Elizabeth Gilbert

 

 

 

 

the alcoholic vs. the problem drinker

 

 

 

 

 

 

The problem drinker gets pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence. Sitting in the holding tank, they shake their head and think to themselves, "Man, not my brightest move. Maybe I should cool it a little. At the very least, I should have called a taxi or something."

 

The alcoholic gets pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence. Sitting in the holding tank, they shake their head and think to themselves, "Fucking cops. Next time I should take surface streets."

 

Alcoholics are wired for defiance, and an inability to take responsibility for our actions -- when under the influence of alcoholism it is almost impossible for us to see -- and believe -- a cause and effect between what we do and what happens to us.

 

 

 

 

 

why I need meetings #13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To crib a line from our friends in Alanon, "If it's hysterical, it's historical."

I cannot change the past, but sometimes I need help dealing with it.

Hell, sometimes I need help even recognizing that it's cropping up again.

Hearing other people in meetings sharing about dealing with their past helps me identify what's going on -- and use AA's tools to sort it out. 

 

 

 

Shooters - Quick shots from meetings: ...what kills the oldtimers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sure, it's very much resentment which takes out the newcomers.

The book's not wrong about that.

But from what I've seen, I think pride is what kills the oldtimers.

 

 

 

 

 

well, trying to conquer it never really worked, so... might as well!