Buddhist Meditation for Abstinence and Recovery.

[Vince Cullen]

Hi Everyone,

I mentioned recently that I was starting a meditation group to support abstinence and recovery: -

I shall shortly be starting a meditation group for abstinence in Reading
(within walking distance of the British Rail Station).  I um'ed and ar'ed
around calling it "meditation for recovery and/or abstinence" or "mindful
recovery" but at the end of the day I've got to nail my colours to the mast
and say it's going to be a Sajja Group "Buddhist Mediation for Abstinence
and Recovery". If the "Buddhist" label puts people off then no matter; I'll
just find myself sitting in a hired hall on my own and as the original
purpose is to support my own sitting practice then that will have been
achieved in a roundabout way!  But if anyone wants to keep me company...

Well, I had a trial 'sit' (on my own... I may as well get used to it) at the venue in Reading and it turned out to be a meditator's nightmare!  It was like Piccadilly Circus... the walls were so thin, I may as well have been in the next room where the Photography Club were meeting.  As for the Prayer Study Group in the other room, well they didn't drink tea very quietly :-(

So I changed the venue to the Quaker Friends Meeting House in my home town of Newbury.  The Meeting House is just a few minutes walk from my home in the centre of town near the Rail and Bus stations. 

I have made some more changes to the website and would appreciate any feedback you might have (would it get you to 'sit' ?).

http://5th-precept.org/

There is now growing scientific as well as long-standing anecdotal evidence of the benefits of meditation for recovery but knowing this is not enough... it is the time spent on the cushion that counts.  So, if you are ever in the vicinity on a Monday (or the occasional Wednesday) please feel free to come along and keep me company,

Best wishes to all.


With Metta,

Vince
__________________________________
322
Impressive are horses or elephants
which have been well-trained;
but more impressive
are individuals
who have tamed themselves.
__________________________________
A DHAMMAPADA for CONTEMPLATION
http://aruno.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=241&Itemid=80

[Stuart B]

All the best with that Vince....just a bit too far for me to travel
though. Speak to you soon.
Stuart

> *it is the time spent on the cushion that counts.*  So, if you are ever in

> the vicinity on a Monday (or the occasional Wednesday) please feel free to
> come along and keep me company,
>
> Best wishes to all.
>
> With Metta,
>
> Vince
> __________________________________
> 322
> Impressive are horses or elephants
> which have been well-trained;
> but more impressive
> are individuals
> who have tamed themselves.
> __________________________________

> A DHAMMAPADA for CONTEMPLATIONhttp://aruno.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=241&Itemi...
>
>  Buddhist Meditation for Recovery.pdf
> 26KViewDownload

[John Cox]

Nice one Vince..I think there's a comedy sketch to be made out of your experience, I dont mean to sound cruel but I have a very funny image of you alone in a noisey hall getting more and more annoyed with the photography class next door.

 

But seriously it wonderful what your doing, maxiumum respect as always.

Coxy 

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From: Stuart B <stuart....@btconnect.com>
To: Friends of Thamkrabok Monastery <friends-of-tham...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wed, 11 November, 2009 20:00:31
Subject: [FOTM:2453] Re: Buddhist Meditation for Abstinence and Recovery.

[Audrey Delaney]

Well done Vince.  I so believe in meditation for everyone and I myself am benefiting from it enormously in my recovery and other aspects of my life.  Slightly jelous that I cannot take part in this.

 

On another note you really hit the nail on the head.  Being a monk is not about wearing the robes. Its about how you live and think.  Very good point.  It’s a very serious thing.  It is certainly not for everyone.  Must be taken on with the right frame of mind and intentions…  A place where you put your all in to grow in your own personal development  and spirituality etc.

 

I wish you so much luck with the aftercare facility.  Its great that it is being done by people who understand the whole concept and for the right reasons.  Hopefully it will be a haven for those who have no support when they come out and need more time.  I would be very interested in this.  Keep us informed.

 

Can I just welcome Jimmy from Dublin onto the forum.  He is a sincere fellow.  A friend and knows about addiction.  Welcome Jimmy.  Jimmy is on facebook  (ry occasionally) in my friends list but under his Irish name Seamus debutler for anyone who wants to add him from the forum..

 

Warmest guys

 

Audrey

 

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