Posts by Category

Step 1

Returning to AA

14 minute read

In November 2019, after some deliberation, I decided to leave AA and try my hand at moderate drinking. At first, it went great. Until it didn’t.

How Life Became Unmanageable

2 minute read

Reflections on how life became unmanageable both the first time I came into AA and this most recent time.

Reflections on Acceptance

5 minute read

It might sound cliche, but in AA you’ll hear the phrase god will do for you what you can’t do for yourself quite often. And that has definitely been my exper...

I’m an Alcoholic

4 minute read

How did I get to this point? Who would have thought, 10 years ago, that I would be here today?

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Spiritual Practice

Deer Park Retreat

12 minute read

The biggest takeaway that I have from the Sangha Meeting is that everyone has the same issues that I do. I don’t have to go through my emotional pain alone. ...

The Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism

4 minute read

The more I study Buddhism, the more I realize I know nothing. I’ve been practicing mindfulness with Open Heart Sangha in San Diego twice per week. They pract...

The 5th Mindfulness Training

2 minute read

While this doesn’t directly relate to AA or Recovery, it definitely is in the same ballpark. And it really resonated with me. Particularly regarding some of ...

The 10 Grave Precepts

less than 1 minute read

My friend and I went to Temple last night. It was a pretty cool place to be on a Friday night. Who would have ever thought I’d be at church on a Friday rathe...

Peace With Every Step

1 minute read

I’ve known about Buddhism since college. But I haven’t been good at practicing. It made me feel spiritual to call myself Buddhist but I wasn’t living the Dha...

Mindfulness

less than 1 minute read

I’ve known since college Buddhist Philosophy class that meditation and mindfulness is the way to go. That meditation is the way to end the suffering. But unt...

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Buddhist Recovery

The Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism

4 minute read

The more I study Buddhism, the more I realize I know nothing. I’ve been practicing mindfulness with Open Heart Sangha in San Diego twice per week. They pract...

No Refuge

3 minute read

I went to Buddhist Recovery Sangha today. I still find the people a little weird. And I don’t necessarily relate to them. I still haven’t talked to anyone. B...

Step Zero

1 minute read

Today marks two weeks sober. And this week I will formally begin Step 1 with my sponsor. For a homework assignment, ask yourself the following questions: (1...

Buddhist Recovery Week 2

1 minute read

To supplement my AA meetings, I’ve been going to the local Buddhist temple to their recovery meetings. This week I arrived on time and sat in the front. But ...

Joining the Great We

3 minute read

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable. For me, I was tired of waking up the next morning, wondering what embarr...

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Living Sober

One Year In

10 minute read

To focus on being of service to others. To shift our focus away from what we want. This has been transformational in my recovery.

Help Me Sober Up

1 minute read

I heard this song for the first time yesterday when I was driving home from Joshua Tree. It really struck me as something I can relate to.

Paradigm Shift

2 minute read

This weekend was the first time that I’ve felt happier sober than inebriated. This was my fourth time to Joshua Tree, but by far the most magical. Being with...

First date sober

1 minute read

I mentioned in my first post that my catalyst to stop drinking was my 10 year high school reunion. I didn’t elaborate. But let’s just say I was a complete me...

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Alcoholics Anonymous

Struggling with God

5 minute read

I’m an Atheist. I don’t doubt the power of God. I don’t believe in God(s). Any of them. My ideas may not have worked, but the idea of a force in the sky that...

The Lord’s Prayer

5 minute read

The AA group I am in is called “Open Minded Mens”. I’d say about half of the group is LGBT. And the majority is non-religious. Visiting a group on the East C...

I’m an Alcoholic

4 minute read

How did I get to this point? Who would have thought, 10 years ago, that I would be here today?

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Step 11

A Gatha on Tea

less than 1 minute read

We can be mindful with everything we do. Here is a Gatha that I found from Thich Nhat Hanh in regards to taking a sip of tea.

Deer Park Retreat

12 minute read

The biggest takeaway that I have from the Sangha Meeting is that everyone has the same issues that I do. I don’t have to go through my emotional pain alone. ...

The 10 Grave Precepts

less than 1 minute read

My friend and I went to Temple last night. It was a pretty cool place to be on a Friday night. Who would have ever thought I’d be at church on a Friday rathe...

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Engaged Buddhism

A Gatha on Tea

less than 1 minute read

We can be mindful with everything we do. Here is a Gatha that I found from Thich Nhat Hanh in regards to taking a sip of tea.

Call Me by My True Names

2 minute read

This past Tuesday, I went to my usual Sangha meeting of the Open Heart Sangha. And the facilitator decided to talk to us about non-judgment. Specifically avo...

Deer Park Retreat

12 minute read

The biggest takeaway that I have from the Sangha Meeting is that everyone has the same issues that I do. I don’t have to go through my emotional pain alone. ...

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Step 7

12 Steps to Humility

less than 1 minute read

Today, I had my monthly meeting with my sponsor to have a philosophical discussion on Step 7. We also talked about a recent resentment of mine. And spiritual...

When You Know Better, Do Better

less than 1 minute read

As we grow, we learn new things. We begin to see issues differently than we did before. It’s okay to change our minds and do better. But forgive yourself for...

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Uncategorized

The Janitor Bodhisattva

less than 1 minute read

Talking to this guy gave me a tingly feeling. Like I️ really wish I️ was that happy and could take such joy in the mundane. That’s something to work on.

Week 3

1 minute read

Tonight was my third Monday meeting. I really like the guys I’ve started hanging with. Tonight they drug me to Target with them after dinner and it was a lot...

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Step 3

Reflections on Co-Dependence

6 minute read

The Thursday meeting that I attend has a unique structure: each week’s leader chooses a topic and 6 readings out of the book As Bill Sees It. This week I led...

God Exists in the Spaces Between Us

4 minute read

As the Trump regime continues to challenge the rule of law, the future of American Democracy itself hangs in the balance. But we must never lose hope. Americ...

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Step 2

The Nature of my God

less than 1 minute read

I was browsing Instagram today and I saw the following poem by Rupi Kaur posted by Sophia Bush and it really spoke to me. This is what God is to me too.

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Step 12

25 Minute Little Apple Talk

less than 1 minute read

I had the pleasure of speaking for 25 minutes at a speaker meeting that my friend facilitates. I’ve attached my audio recording. I’d love to know what you th...

10 Minute New Year Talk

less than 1 minute read

I had the pleasure of speaking for 10 minutes at a speaker meeting that my friend facilitates. I’ve attached my audio recording. I’d love to know what you th...

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Step 10

The 5th Mindfulness Training

2 minute read

While this doesn’t directly relate to AA or Recovery, it definitely is in the same ballpark. And it really resonated with me. Particularly regarding some of ...

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Step 6

Have You Given Your Life to God

4 minute read

As an Atheist, all of this god talk is a bit awkward. But I thought this was an interesting topic when it was brought up at my homegroup AA meeting last Mond...

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Tradition 10

Self Righteousness

2 minute read

What others do isn’t my business. I need to focus on myself, my own recovery and being of service to others.

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Tradition 1

We: The Fellowship of AA

4 minute read

Despite the traditions and steps, not everyone will be your friend, not everyone will like you, not everyone will treat you with respect. But there are many ...

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Leaving AA

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