introducing this forum to detoxees.
Brian..Dublin
i was just wondering if this forum is being introduced to people
while over detoxing, its just that i know alot of irish have been over
there this year but they dont seem to be on this forum. I wouldnt have
heard about it only that Stuart was over there on holiday at the
time.its just a thought as it can certainly be a lonely road in early
recovery and any extra support as we know can just give us that lift
we need to get us out of that negative space we sometimes find
ourselves in. If its not being introduced as part of the program maybe
it should be or maybe its just the irish who are not hearing about it.
Either way i think every detoxee leaving thamkrabok should be given
the details of this site.just a thought,but too important to ignore.
jazz man
> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:55:46 -0700
> Subject: [FOTM:2350] introducing this forum to detoxees.
> From: brian...@hotmail.com
> To: friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com
Audrey Delaney
Brian, that is a fabulous idea. I think one of the things I found when I came back was the lack of like minded people. Not to mention the whole unique experience that only anyone who went through it could relate to. So it will put us all in touch and help us help each other. It can be a very lonely time. Lonliness can leave one vulnerable.
On the other very important note I so believe that before going to Thamkrabok it would be a huge aid to confused individuals, who may have many questions. It has been said in the past that one persons experience and approach is not enough as what worked for them is not what works for others. Hence many peoples opinions and input would be of great value to perspective Thamkrabokee’s. They would get a more balanced and varied view. Much more open and healthy I think. I had mentioned this to Gary Devine who was an individual taking patients over to Thamkrabok from Ireland so maybe he will read this and realise the value of this forum. He should use it in addition as an extra tool to help those in need.
Maybe Vince would put an email to Mae Shee Rhambais or who ever is speaking with the Westerners to give them the details of the forum. I know I found it great. Would love to see more Irish people on it as Gary has said there is more going over. It is also a good way for the Irish to get in touch with each other for us to introduce them to past patients and to share their experience. Each one has so much to offer and everyone gets something different. Keeping it realistic and user friendly etc.
So guys who take people out to the Monastary, Make it part of the protocol and share the forum and information with everyone. Encourage them and perhaps when they come home another message to their emails with the link when they have come down to earth a bit. It certainly would be the responsible thing to do for a more successful and hopeful recovery.
Warmest to all on this, much peace and good company. Reach out and get help when you are down. Add advice and support when you up.
Xx Audrey
> </html
gary devine
John Cox
Sent from my iPod
Stuart B
In the past myself and Vince have tried to
make people aware of the forum, a few years back i took out a load of
laminated posters, these can still be seen in the office and are
dotted over the monastery, i was still able to see some of them in
June this year. I suppose what Garry was saying is a fair point also,
that things need to be loud and clear at the time of detox. Some
people log onto the other group that is linked through facebook,
thinking they are logging onto this forum, some people cant use a
computer, or don't have a computer, may not be willing to go to the
local library or learning centre, these are things that can be quite
an accomplishment for some people when they return, some may do it
some may not, some may feel they have cracked it, some may not. Some
may not want to share on an open forum for many different reasons,
spelling, not saying the right thing, confidence ect ect Anyway i know
Mae Shee Rhambai and Phra Choh observe the forum and may do something
to make people aware of the forum, i can make up more posters have
them laminated and send them over, iam sure Vince will have an input
when he returns on Thursday, if anybody else would also like to make
up posters and send them over, then feel free, we would put a picture
of Thamkrabok or of a Buddha and add Got SAJJA GET A FRIEND then add
details, i know there is one at Phra Gordons sauna although addicts
are taken to the other sauna so a couple down there would be good for
starters. Hope everyone is well, take care.
Stuart
On Oct 21, 8:53 am, John Cox <johncox2...@ymail.com> wrote:
> I reckon anyone who's recovered at tham krabok would find it useful, you can never have to many clean friends who walked the path.
>
> Nice one guys
>
> Sent from my iPod
>
>
> Hello to all,
>
> Well done Brian,for highlighting this important suggestion,i know Audrey had asked me, was i telling
>
> detoxees about friends of tkb,and i most certainly do,and i have been wondering over the last few
>
> months why we don't see more,newcomers ?? since i work on the ground as it were,this has given
>
> me some ideas, firstly i will ask mae shee rambhai does she still have those little pieces of paper
>
> with f.tkb.m, and i will suggest to phra choo if we may put a laminated sign with the online address
>
> clearly marked.in the hey where the morning meeting happens, on my own reflection of detoxing if things wer,nt
>
> loud and clear it simply went over my head.i will keep doing the best i can.
>
> very best wishes to all,may your sajja be your guiding light.
>
> garyd !!
>
Stuart B
Gordons, hence the posters there. I am quite sure i gave the late
Phra Greg posters for the other sauna but cant recall seeing them in
June, as iam not down at thaat sauna too often when i visit
Thamkrabok.
Stuart
gary devine
Audrey Delaney
Not forgetting the very important Pre detox which can take anything from days to months in some cases a year or more. So on first contact be it phone or email. It should be given straight away. For those who don’t have the confidence or PC skills. Perhaps phones no’s of others from their country to chat to before as well as after. Can be lonely and confusing time. So preparation is so important. If you have chatted to others before hand and got any worries answered and know when you come back those people will be there. I imagine it makes everything a bit more bearable.
Not to be sexist or anything but being a girl there are certin things you would rather chat to a girl about so female contact for the ladies seems to be popular. I get private emails from this forum alone about girlie issues. Only to happy to answer however they contact me.
Xx Audrey
> > the details of this site.just a thought,but too important to
ignore.<br
metalface from kent
No denying!!.I found the only other people who really understood my
predicament at the time were other 'using' addicts,and the poor sods
are the wrong company when your trying to 'come clean'.
The propect of De-tox at Thamkrabok can be quite daunting to a
lonely,frightened and confused addict (hey,I know,I've been
there).Though there have been many good accounts of treatment ect. in
the Media,I think that there is a tendancy to exaggerate and
'dramatise' TKB as a 'hard regime',only for the tough and
desperate,and often to the point that prospective 'punters' are
actually put off and are deprived of what could be their only chance
(it was most certainly mine and I'm so glad I took it)....We get the
chance to put that right!
Also as a collective we actually get the chance to gently coerce the
occasional enquiree and this is definately not a bad thing.
A facility is also provided here whereby practical details which are
extremely important are also very readilly available-airport pick-
ups,travel arrangements,neccessities and so on,and so on...this is of
course extremely valuable to someone facing the prospect of flying to
Thailand for THE 'white-knuckle' de-tox in a confused state of certain
trepidation.
Personally,I get extreme satisfaction through my input.I was very
grateful for everything that TKB did for me (..is an
understatement),and I wanted (and still want) to 'give something back'
when I returned 'home'.There wasn't much I could do from here-short of
returning and ordaining-but I can do this!
The advice I give is based on the experience I had which has now
seen me well into my 5th clean year and I think I might even stop
'counting' soon,but the point is that great value to others comes from
the mistakes that I (and others) have made along the way-they are,of
course,the greatest lessons.Its also just as theraupeutic for me to
'unravel' my thoughts and experience,and this place gives ample
opportunity.
I didn't really know how to use a computer when I left TKB-not that
uncommon amonst members of my generation(especially one with a long
and deep-routed heroin habit),but gradually we're all being dragged
into the 21st Century-quite willingly,I might add-I couldn't live
without my machine nowadays,and actually border on spending an
'unhealthy' percentage of my day on it.Its is a Great thing!
I've seen the On-line TKB Sangha (both here and elsewhere) grow to
something of Worth since my de-tox,and I'm very proud to consider
myself a part of it.Its a way of prolonging the incredible and life-
changing experience I personally had at TKB and also gives me serene
satisfaction at the propect that even a small part of my rambling
advice would assist someone out of the 'dark pit' that is addiction.
Any steps that you guys 'in the field' can and already are taking to
heighten awareness is of great value-Best wishes to Stuart,Gary et al.
Metta _/\_
Mfk
On Oct 21, 10:25 am, gary devine <garyd...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Stuart,
>
> the ball is rolling on this one,iv have been down the local town and got a
> few laminated copy's
> of the posters you mentioned,Got a sajja,get a friend.works fine because its
> in black and white
>
> No colored copier in phraputtabat,So any help with the( checking out,check
> this out) would be
>
> great,i will ask art the guy who mans the sauna,if is ok to stick up a
> few,some will remember
>
> art hes a good bloke,im sure he,ll be more then happy to help us.
>
> take care.
>
> garyd.
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
metalface from kent
support,which we all know is something that needs great consideration
for anyone de-toxing at TKB.It is JUST a de-tox and your pretty much
on your own once you take your pyjama's off and walk through the metal
gate.This site offers somewhere where at least you can 'put your head'
at times during that very crucial and difficult post-detox period.I
If you take the option to become interested and continue to explore
the Buddhist 'path' or option to recovary,then here is a great place
to discuss and exchange.As I always say-any patient should want to at
least give it some respect and consideration,having accepted
Thamkrabok's offer of FREE treatment(think about it!?)-they should at
least be curious to what motivates such a unique concept.I have to
say,my 'head' was all over the place for the entire de-tox and for
some time afterwards,and it wasn't till about my 3rd month back home
when I bought a Buddhism for Idiots book in a charity shop and started
reading it (I suppose out of some concept of 'duty',at the time-for me
the start of something that means much more to me than a tool to
assist me in staying clean-but thats another story.
mfk
On Oct 21, 2:25 pm, metalface from kent <boswelia...@hotmail.co.uk>
wrote: