get ready to throw the darts at me.....

[bowerygirl]

ok so im home, well at me mas in new jersey (jeez!) in the middle of
yawnsville.hey imnot complaining..,ahh yea i am. well its gonna get
worse so just breathe and hold off on the storming castle mob just
yet.ive read allur replies and i hope u allknw i truly do appreciate
thesupport,always have. if u recall i gave upeverything b4 i left so
this is where im living at the mo.as me bro would say ur "staying"just
a pitstop..but rite now i cant seem to see any positives. i feel
scared, trapped,misunderstood,anxious and 100 otherthings im sure u
have felt at one point or another.

i guess i had way to high expectations for thailand. i thought i was
gonna get somekind of lightning bolt type change where id walkout
different.when it didnt happen well i just said i need time..well im
exactly the same as b4 i feel and that frustrates me.bill i totally
hear u but what im about to say is probably going to hurt it hurts me
and makes me angry at myself...i feel no connection to my satja, my
katar or any type of spirituality. very empty feeling. that life or
death oath isnt more important tome than a box of cereal, im ashamed
to say this especially here but if i dont tell the honest truth i wont
find a way out of this hole.im sorry if i offended anyone i just
needed to get that out there and hope maybe im notthe only one who has
felt that way. i have to start allover again wth nothing and i dont
see the wonderfulchance that everyone else seems tothink that is.i
mustjust be a selfish empty souless bitch cause it seems i cant see
any hope in this

i just felt the need to ramble on here, havent been able to sleep
since i got here the wheels wont stop turning and everytime i see me
da i feellike "oh here comes the mental lump in the raggy
bathrobe"they got me a newone but i cant seem to put it on, like i
dont deserve it, i dont knw what im sayn anymore let me shut it now b4
i really start giving cause for the mental title

[Audrey Delaney]

Don't beat yourself up. No one else is that's for sure. I am not sure
where you got the impression that you would get in your words "a lightening
bolt type of change". On this forum we are very careful in saying there is
no miracle cure. The hard work starts when you get home. It is repeated
over and over. I certainly did not get this or expect it. I went out to
the monastery with no expectations other than a concentrated version of a
detox. Away from reality for a while and time to think. That's what I got.
I did take home with me some extras like the meditation practices.

I am really feeling for you because I felt all those feeling you are going
through and it is the pits. I think the hardest time is the first few
months back in reality. But it does get better so long as you identify and
take the right actions, clearly you are a girl who has already proved you
can do this by taking the step to get to TKB on your own for starters.

I have said this many times before but it is not until months later that I
actually felt the benefit of the monastery. Regarding the sajja I knew
little about it and thought nothing of it till I came home. It was only
when temptation was put right in front of me that this "promise/Vow" that I
took kicked into action. I felt the strength from somewhere and willpower
held through and the sajja came into my head. This is when I knew it worked
for me. As I had no idea of the belief system in the monastery it was
recommended I took the vow to what I did believe in. I did that and perhaps
that's why it holds true to me. I made my promise to my children, my God
and myself.

As for how you are feeling, I can totally relate to that. I was so angry
for months after I came home. I couldn't explain it. Rationally thinking
looking back, it was just pent up anger and frustration that I had blocked
out for years with drugs. This all just came to a head for me and I had to
deal with it. This could be what you are experiencing. I wrote letters to
those I felt did not threat me right. Not bad letters but just how I felt.
I got rid of all negative people in my life, I did not run away from them, I
told them how uncomfortable they made me feel. They where given the
opportunity to be reasonable about how they related to me. If they couldn't
dot that then I had to think of my own mental health and let them go. I let
go the anger to. I don't mean drug users I mean family members, people I
allowed to influence my self worth. It took a lot of time but it was turned
out to be a very valuable huge step to take.

I do not know your background at all but I do know that you should be with
people who are positive in your life. If the past was partially the reason
for you taking drugs then this needs to be dealt with. You cannot go back
to the past without learning to cope and change your outlook and responses
to situations and who you are living with. Councelling is so helpful if
you are carrying any sort of baggage. Takes time, but it is very effective.

You seem to be such a little fighter and the courage you took even writing
what you did shows your determination. Humbleness and your complete
honesty. Complete respect for that. But you are allowed to be human and
allow yourself that. It does sound like you like most of us addict that you
need to do work on yourself to heal. Vince did recommend groups and perhaps
councelling.

Keep chatting though. That alone helps unload and share.
Warmest in hope
Audrey

--
The OFFICIAL Thamkrabok Monastery website is
http://www.thamkrabok-monastery.org
INDEPENDENT information can be found at http://www.thamkrabok.net
To post to this group, send email to
Friends-of-Tham...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
Friends-of-Thamkrabok...@googlegroups.com
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[John Cox]

Hey BG,

 

I think what you say is oftern a reality, I think all of us have felt the same at some stage. I dont think recovery should be a matter of faith, its not a divine light, there's no guardian angle on your shoulder or jedi like force corsing through your viens (unfortunatly lol). It's shit, it hurts and its lonely......for a while. But i gets better, I promise you that, its does get better and thats what you should have faith in.

 

I always say that Tham Krabok is just a place, its the individual that does the work. Buddhism does have things to teach you and in my view aids recovery, Tham Krabok is also amazing but it's not magic. I dont think magic can exist for more than a moment, a life time is a long time and thats the hard part for me, trying to stay clean for the rest of your life in those cold lonely moments....I honestly think that's were the hard work is, surviving and succeeding those time.

 

Don't give up, I know what it is to start again with nothing, I've done it 3 times now and I'm only 32. I left Tham Krabok with just a suit case and a plane ticket to australia and now 18 months later I have a life. But that first six months was hard, i was still sick, very lonely, full of guilt and didnt have a clue what was going to happen...in many ways I still dont, who does.

 

Take care of your self, keep on keeping on and the good times will come again..

Coxy

---

From: bowerygirl <mizfit...@gmail.com>
To: Friends of Thamkrabok Monastery <friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sat, 14 November, 2009 17:43:11

Subject: [FOTM:2468] get ready to throw the darts at me.....

[jazz man]

Jenni,
 
Reality has a way of kicking our asses, especially when we are surrounded by our family.  Can't speak for others, but what you describing is not uncommon for most folks upon returning to to their home country.  The use of the sajja and katha are deeply personal and in the future perhaps they will bring you greater strength, maybe when you  least expect them to work. 
 
Not to bore u with the medical jargon, but the symptoms of sleeplessness, and a million thoughts running through your head most likely is related to your brain neurotransmitters firing a mile a minute, they are  "confused" cause you took their nasty drug chemicals away, for the first time in years, they are able to work on their own, and it takes  a long time to adjust.  It will get better, but it takes time. 
 
Meanwhile try to eat good food, do some good things, and re-discover your family and any friends that weren't part of the destructive path of the old life.
 
Find something positive to do with your time, take a class, write a novel, get a fun job, learn that language or instrument that you always wanted...
 
For some reason you were able to discover TMBK on your own, you made it all the way there by yourself, and having read your writings for the past year or so, I know you are going to make it through this part of the journey, if anyone can pull if off it is you.
 
Phra Gordon thought you had lots of NYC chutzpha, and I tend to agree...But, as Bill Bloomer points out, support in some form can make the journey a lot smoother.
 
take care and enjoy the new bathrobe!
 
jazzman 
 

---

Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:56:38 +0000
From: johnc...@ymail.com
Subject: Re: [FOTM:2471] get ready to throw the darts at me.....
To: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com

---

Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more.

[John Cox]

I think that's a wonderful post from the Jazz man, the practicle stuff especially, I'd also add exercise to the list because it helps restore you balace quicker.

It take time Jennie, but you'll get there.

Coxy

Sent from my iPod

[Audrey Delaney]

So agree Jazzman. 

 

Fuel the mind with distractions from yourself and build interests to motivate yourself.  Added bonus is you will hopefully meet nice people and develop a good social life and decent friends.  Surround yourself with those who add to your life.  You could even find a good cause to volunteer for.  Its amazing when you help others how much you actually help yourself to.

 

Get support though as I stressed in my first email. Its different for everyone, find a place that suits you. 

 

Audrey

 

---

[bill bloomer]

BG   You can do all this and more. I strongly , again, suggest finding a living breathing support group. Internet is too unreal. For all you know I am really a computer program that markets itself as a lonely , vunerable nubile ( insert fantasy prefernce here      )satifaction guaranteed . Yah dig ?? I so often hear others in recovery share how they too didn't have a clue as to what 'normies' did. I may never . But by being available for change, and yes vunerable , I made lasting real friendships with people I  could trust. Sobriety is a gas .Too great to bogart alone. Maybe next time your keyboard beckons , caress it into searching for NA meetings. You and I both know the heavy heavy lonesome. We all do . BTW , Vince tells me he has recruited everyone into NOT reading your letters until you find local support. Now the bad news , he intends to crash on your floor in the  meantime. BB --- On Sat, 11/14/09, jazz man <jaz...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[Stuart B]

Hey BG...
I tend to lean towards Bill Bs post and what he says!!
Thats me though! I went to meetings and meeetings got me through the
days....all i was doing was day counting at that time, and saying to
myself constantly f--- me is this it. NA meetings helped me...then i
was able to slowly start doing other things...vol work...go in town
( yeah with all the people) see my reflection in the windows ( took a
bit o work that one) get on a bus....speak to people on the bus!!!
quite an achievemaent this one, when the head is making so much noise
and butting in all the time....just as well i did or do not answer out
loud or i would be locked up. Yeah when i got back from Thamkrabok i
was a frightened, angry, insecure wee boy of 38...i always knew he was
with me and when the dust settled after Thamkrabok...thats what i was
left with...so i decided to stick around with people who were trying
to be "normies" as bill says and went to meetings....you know what i
dont think i will ever be a "normie" em just a wee bit off the richter
scale for that...so i work on accepting being me. NA helped me on my
return. Take care BG.

Stuart

On Nov 14, 7:40 pm, bill bloomer <bill_bloo...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> BG
>   You can do all this and more.
> I strongly , again, suggest finding a living breathing support group.
> Internet is too unreal.
> For all you know I am really a computer program that markets itself as a lonely , vunerable
> nubile ( insert fantasy prefernce here      )satifaction guaranteed . Yah dig ??
>
> I so often hear others in recovery share how they too didn't have a clue as to what 'normies' did. I may never . But by being available for change, and yes vunerable , I made lasting real friendships with people I  could trust.
> Sobriety is a gas .Too great to bogart alone.
> Maybe next time your keyboard beckons , caress it into searching for NA meetings.
> You and I both know the heavy heavy lonesome. We all do .
>
> BTW , Vince tells me he has recruited everyone into NOT reading your letters until you find local support.
> Now the bad news , he intends to crash on your floor in the  meantime.
>
> BB
>

> --- On Sat, 11/14/09, jazz man <jazz...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> From: jazz man <jazz...@hotmail.com>
> Subject: RE: [FOTM:2472] get ready to throw the darts at me.....
> To: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com
> Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10:25 AM
>
> Jenni,
>
>  
>
> Reality has a way of kicking our asses, especially when we are surrounded by our family.  Can't speak for others, but what you describing is not uncommon for most folks upon returning to to their home country.  The use of the sajja and katha are deeply personal and in the future perhaps they will bring you greater strength, maybe when you  least expect them to work. 
>
>  
>
> Not to bore u with the medical jargon, but the symptoms of sleeplessness, and a million thoughts running through your head most likely is related to your brain neurotransmitters firing a mile a minute, they are  "confused" cause you took their nasty drug chemicals away, for the first time in years, they are able to work on their own, and it takes  a long time to adjust.  It will get better, but it takes time. 
>
>  
>
> Meanwhile try to eat good food, do some good things, and re-discover your family and any friends that weren't part of the destructive path of the old life.
>
>  
>
> Find something positive to do with your time, take a class, write a novel, get a fun job, learn that language or instrument that you always wanted...
>
>  
>
> For some reason you were able to discover TMBK on your own, you made it all the way there by yourself, and having read your writings for the past year or so, I know you are going to make it through this part of the journey, if anyone can pull if off it is you.
>
>  
>
> Phra Gordon thought you had lots of NYC chutzpha, and I tend to agree...But, as Bill Bloomer points out, support in some form can make the journey a lot smoother.
>
>  
>
> take care and enjoy the new bathrobe!
>
>  
>
> jazzman 
>  
>

> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:56:38 +0000

> From: johncox2...@ymail.com

> Subject: Re: [FOTM:2471] get ready to throw the darts at me.....
> To: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com
>

> #yiv582909803 .ExternalClass DIV
> {}

>
> Hey BG,
>  
> I think what you say is oftern a reality, I think all of us have felt the same at some stage. I dont think recovery should be a matter of faith, its not a divine light, there's no guardian angle on your shoulder or jedi like force corsing through your viens (unfortunatly lol). It's shit, it hurts and its lonely......for a while. But i gets better, I promise you that, its does get better and thats what you should have faith in.
>  
> I always say that Tham Krabok is just a place, its the individual that does the work. Buddhism does have things to teach you and in my view aids recovery, Tham Krabok is also amazing but it's not magic. I dont think magic can exist for more than a moment, a life time is a long time and thats the hard part for me, trying to stay clean for the rest of your life in those cold lonely moments....I honestly think that's were the hard work is, surviving and succeeding those time.
>  
> Don't give up, I know what it is to start again with nothing, I've done it 3 times now and I'm only 32. I left Tham Krabok with just a suit case and a plane ticket to australia and now 18 months later I have a life. But that first six months was hard, i was still sick, very lonely, full of guilt and didnt have a clue what was going to happen...in many ways I still dont, who does.
>  
> Take care of your self, keep on keeping on and the good times will come again..
> Coxy
>

> The OFFICIAL Thamkrabok Monastery website ishttp://www.thamkrabok-monastery.org
> INDEPENDENT information can be found athttp://www.thamkrabok.net

> To post to this group, send email to Friends-of-Tham...@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to Friends-of-Thamkrabok...@googlegroups.com

> For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/Friends-of-Thamkrabok-Monastery
>
> --
> The OFFICIAL Thamkrabok Monastery website ishttp://www.thamkrabok-monastery.org
> INDEPENDENT information can be found athttp://www.thamkrabok.net

> To post to this group, send email to Friends-of-Tham...@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to Friends-of-Thamkrabok...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/Friends-of-Thamkrabok-Monastery                                   

> Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more.
>
> --
>

> The OFFICIAL Thamkrabok Monastery website ishttp://www.thamkrabok-monastery.org
>
>  INDEPENDENT information can be found athttp://www.thamkrabok.net

>
>  To post to this group, send email to Friends-of-Tham...@googlegroups.com
>
>  To unsubscribe from this group, send email to Friends-of-Thamkrabok...@googlegroups.com
>
>  For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/Friends-of-Thamkrabok-Monastery
>

>  --static--bg_starfield_1.gif
> 8KViewDownload

[Vince Cullen]

Hey Jenni,

Thanks for being so honest (that's apart of accepting Sajja even if you didn't know it).

It's a big scary place out there when there's nowhere to hide... so I understand how you feel right now.

You may have read recently that I'm starting a 'Meditation for Recovery' group in my local town.  It's as much for my own support as it is to help anyone else who might come a sit with me.  When I was checking out venues for this group there was an AA meeting about to start in the next room.  I told the AA faciliator what I was planning to do and he promised to come along to a sitting himself.  He said "I've been sober for 6-years but I still can't stop the thoughts in my head".  I believe mediation will help him, if he commits to it and continues to practice.

If the 12-step/mediation meetings I listed didn't jump off the page at you, there is an alternative meditation group at:

=====================================================
DPUNX NATION
Dharma Punx inspired meditation groups around the country

-NYC, NY-
Weekly meditation groups
with Josh Korda and others
Tuesdays & Thursdays
from 7-9pm drop in class
(by donation)
at the Rebel Saint Buddhist Meditation Center
302 Bowery #2 (3rd floor)
(between Bleeker & Houston in NY, NY)
www.dharmapunxnyc.com
=====================================================

It's even on Bowery!

But whether you chose this group or another, you've got to do something different.  If you always do the same old things, you're always going to get the same old results.  You've made the change now.  In Buddhism there is no permanent self, no permanent me, and trying to hang on to one is just 'suffering'.  Embrace a new 'Jennie'.

One of the core teachings of Thamkrabok is :  ACTIONS DO NOT DIE.  So be mindful of what you decide to do next.  Your Sajja and Kahtah might be on the back-burner for now but don't ever forget about them as they may just save your life again in the future. 

You've got a great big blank (scary empty space) canvas of life in front of you now and you are the painter... what are you going to paint?

Be gentle with yourself, practice Loving-kindness for yourself, and paint yourself a bright future.

Be well and kind regards.

With Metta,


Vince

PS: ...otherwise I'll be round to crash on your sofa (the floors too hard).
__________________________________
326
My mind which was once
wild and unruly,
wandering as it wished,
I hold now in check,
as the mahout with his hook
controls an elephant in rut.
__________________________________
A DHAMMAPADA for CONTEMPLATION
http://aruno.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=241&Itemid=80

[metalface from kent]

Hi Bowery.Some great advice there from everyone.Its all from differant
perpectives and some of it may even contaravene here and there,but
thats what its all about (here,I think)-and its up to you to find the
pieces that 'strike a chord'.

I will say listen to John's wise words on just what you should expect
to feel like at this stage of the game-he's 'bang-on'(!!) and being a
few steps ahead of you remembers (too)well the transitional stages of
de-tox and gradual recovary (from Heroin),and probably remembers it
more freshly than me.(Iam definately seeing 'common ground' here.)

I also thought that Jazzman's advice on 'what to do next' was very
good,especially as you are now at this Stage,where its very imprtant
to consider just how you're gonna piece your life back together (or
make a New One).Be Postive!

If I try to remember how I felt 4-5 months in,then I'll tell you-I
was 'all over the bloody shop'!
I had just started working again,and probably shouldn't have been (not
in a bloody kitchen,anyway-far too hectic and stressful)-actually
about this time I had a little 'scare' with the Crack (..what a
f*ckin' horrible drug that is!!!-nothing pleasant about it at
all).Blew 2 weeks wages in a day,an evening and a night,learnt my
lesson and thats about as close as I've been to losing control since
2005 (and in 2005)....Nothing like that ever happened since again
because I didn't allow it too!(simple as).

To put it straight!-You've just 'erased' a large period of your life
with Heroin Addiction.Its ALL gone and all the good things that never
got a chance to seed (let alone blossom),never happened...The Drug and
The Lifestyle-Had-'em-All Gone!!.Your feeling shit and very confused
and ALL the consequences of this long,dark,crap period (a life of
chaos and 'not giving a shit'),are ALL standing around you,STARING YOU
IN THE FACE and they wanna know "Why You Diddit???!!!!!!".. And to
make it worse-you feel 'Raw',like your wearing no skin and your nerves
are bare-every little emotion,or little thing that happens
reverberates 10 TIMES around your in your Skull and drives you
crazy...am I getting close,at least?!I can only speak from MY
experience!-Its a long time ago,but I do remember it.Between De-tox
and this period,I managed to reach a pretty 'low' period.(Aside from
the Crack episode-I was drinking,I mean Drinking-I knew I was in
trouble when I found myself queuing with the regular 'alkies' at 8.00
in the morning when they start serving alcohol in the local Spar.I was
also very fat and un-fit,over-eating and all the wrong things.This
really trashed me mentally(as if I didn't have enough to contend
WITHOUT the heroin).I was still fighting cravings and urges,very much-
a miracle I scored Crack from a 'shooter' who had Tens of Smack in his
grubby paws as well,and DIDNT!!-I call that Close!!
I did just say -"Fuck-IT!! ITS-its not 'getting me!-Not This Time!'"-
and very abruptly stopped drinking and started eating properly and
started excersise-just walking at first,everyday, with the walks
getting longer until eventually I was packing a sack and dissapearing
for the whole day (lucky cos we've got some beautiful countryside
round here and I loved it).Then I bought a Mountain Bike (£15-yes it
was knicked!-unlike the 'beauty' I've got now,which is legitimately
paid-for-progress,indeed)- AND thats how I got myself over the
'hurdle' you are now facing...It is very psychological and once you
start introducing new,Positive apsects into your life to re-place the
'Huge Void' that has been left by The Drug,you will start to enjoy the
simplest things (for the first time,even).This is the Time you need to
be making a concerted effort to do just that-introducing 'stuff' into
your life.Good things.

Like ALL situations it depends on your perspective.All situations/ALL
things are 'empty' (in the Buddhist sense).They are all reflective of
your own,personnel input..Oh Yes They Are!.So you can see the
'situation' as really 'shit',just come off drugs,no flat,no money,no
job,relationships with others (and myself) in tatters,no drugs to make
me happy (you can throw that one out ,without 'Trial')
ect,ect.....OR...you can see it (as I came too-and I was Right!)
as.... 'F*ckin' Brilliant- Just 'kicked' the biggest problem I ever
had,No responsibilties,No-one expects anything of me (they bloody
shouldn't and tell them where to go if they do!),
No Mortgage,No Business/Work Responsiblities,No Family committments
(kids ect),No Dreary 'domestic routine'-all things I know to make many
of my more conventional peers/freinds and associates 'Bloody
Miserable' and even a bit 'envious' of me sometimes (in a nice way,I
like to think).
Its a 'Carte Blanche'-you can pick up the bits you like and leave the
bits you dont.IT IS very Liberating,but only if you regard it as such.
There are No Longer any 'rules',Bowery (thats News,eh?).As long as you
stay 'clean' and live a decent,productive and Moral life,giving your
best intentions to others and continuing to cultivate the correct
qualities within yourself-then you can do what the f*ck you like!! (is
my advice)...you may find Buddhism helpful here,but you dont have to
give it a 'name'-its just a very useful 'Map',if you like.But do get
it Right!
Plenty of people here have good things to say about the 12 Step/AA/NA
meetings,and I know for a fact they can be of use,especially if you're
struggling.I guess the meetings do give you something to focus on and
sharing your thoughts and experiences with others is undoubtabely very
useful (which is one of the reasons I post here).Its not something
I've had any experience with.My personnel 'route' was quite
differant.I have used a quite insular route of keeping myself to
meself,not expecting too much of myself,disregarding the Past by
embracing the Present,Meditation and just trying to do things properly
(always) for the Higher Good of All (not just for Me-dont
worry,there's a very healthy 'pay-back'!)-basically an inadequate
summary of the Buddhist 'line' of Recovary.
As for 'Spiritual Thunderbolts'-that doesn't happen to anybody,or not
in the sense you were expecting.The 'magic' of Thamkrabok comes in the
fact that,without any prior commitment,this 'mystical realm' will de-
tox you,Free and Regardless. And with the 'Richness' of the
experience,as a whole which is a real 'shake-up of an eye-opener' for
some and reminder that
at there is so much more to Life than 'drugs and misery' and chasing a
pathetic 'hit'.This you will appreciate more and more as you gain more
'clean-time'.

I wasn't in the least bit interested in Buddhism whilst I was there
and for a good few months after.That was something that came later and
slowly and required me to apply myself in reading,learning and then
'realizing' ("..actually this is gradually starting to make sense"-can
you imagine how suprised I was?!).I'm not saying its for You-some
people just dont 'get it'-but you'll not know till you commit yourself
to a few hours at least and properly try to understand what is being
said and what is required.

You do and Will find your own Way Out.Above ALL else-just 'Stay
Clean',Bowery.Nothing else matters.
It WILL All start to come back round if you stick with it-It Gets
(and continues to get) Better.You have my personnel guarantee (and I
dont give that out too often!!)

My Well Intended advice and continued Support (of Course).
Mfk.

P.s.You've done the really crappy part-Congratulations!
You are NOW in charge of your own Actions and their
Consequences...Congratulations.(once again)

Be Strong,Be Mindful,Be Wise.(Always)

[metalface from kent]

[metalface from kent]

..I hadn't noticed Vince's Post,I guess so eager I was to reply to
you,Bowery.His recommedation of D-Punx Meditation groups(which Iam
certain is inspired and directly related to the work and books of Noah
Levine) could not suit a New York 'punkette' ,such as your good
self,more.Even if you just dip into the books,to start with,this line
of enquiry will directly suit you.I'm embarraseed to say that despite
having specially ordered and owning the book 'Dharma Punx' for some
months,now,I have yet to read-unfortunately my ever-growing 'reading
pile' outstrips my consumption.Look into it and you'll know what I
mean.I've even taken it from the middle of the pile and placed it
nearer the top,so soon I may even know what I'm talking about!mfk

p.s.no idea why my previous post,'posted' twice..a 'Ghost in the
Machine'-thanks again to 'celebratory buddhist' Sting(eh Bill?)

On Nov 15, 6:36 am, Vince Cullen <vince.cul...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Jenni,
>
> Thanks for being so honest (that's apart of accepting Sajja even if you
> didn't know it).
>
> It's a big scary place out there when there's nowhere to hide... so I
> understand how you feel right now.
>
> You may have read recently that I'm starting a 'Meditation for Recovery'
> group in my local town.  It's as much for my own support as it is to help
> anyone else who might come a sit with me.  When I was checking out venues
> for this group there was an AA meeting about to start in the next room.  I
> told the AA faciliator what I was planning to do and he promised to come

> along to a sitting himself.  He said *"I've been sober for 6-years but I
> still can't stop the thoughts in my head".*  I believe mediation will help

> yourself<http://dharma.ncf.ca/introduction/instructions/metta.html>,

> and paint yourself a bright future.
>
> Be well and kind regards.
>
> With Metta,
>
> Vince
>
> PS: ...otherwise I'll be round to crash on your sofa (the floors too hard).
> __________________________________
> 326
> My mind which was once
> wild and unruly,
> wandering as it wished,
> I hold now in check,
> as the mahout with his hook
> controls an elephant in rut.
> __________________________________

> A DHAMMAPADA for CONTEMPLATIONhttp://aruno.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=241&Itemi...