Three gates to freedom from alcohol addiction
I’ve been involved, either personally or professionally, in the addiction recovery world since the mid ‘70s when I attended a treatment centre in Regina. I now have over 32 years of continuous sobriety. I’ve tried a wide variety of techniques and tools during my recovery journey and decided to share them with others by writing this book.
A garden of lotus flowers would include the complete flower — its beautiful blossom and its roots buried in the muddy water. Like the lotus, an addict in recovery is able to grow beyond the murky, muddy water of its roots (active addiction) and blossom (recovery) to enjoy the beauty that is inherent in this human life. The dance represents the ebb and flow of life. As a Nichiren Shu Buddhist, the Lotus Sutra is our primary source of Buddhist teachings. I use several of the parables contained within the Lotus Sutra to illustrate various recovery principles.
The First Gate brings awareness. I offer many practical tools to help the addict in early recovery to see more clearly what triggers cravings. Then strategies are suggested to help manage those cravings. Slowly the addict is able to unpack the “stories” he/she created that feed the addiction process. All of the tools and strategies are ones I have used successfully myself.
The Second Gate involves introspection, looking within. The reader learns about the five precepts — not to kill any living being, not to take what is not given, not to indulge in harmful sexual behavior, not to engage in false speech, and not to take intoxicants. Then the reader is guided through some simple practices of Nonviolent Communication in order to learn compassion for oneself and others.
The Third Gate leads the reader into the dance with life. Techniques for implementing a meditation practice and taking time out to renew oneself are suggested. I am a certified meditation teacher with the Chopra Center and have practiced a variety of meditation forms throughout my life.
Gatekeeper Press helped me self publish my book. It was released on Oct. 1. You can find it on Amazon or at www.margaretcramhowie.com.