Remember:
Spirituality and the Twelve Steps (Part Two)
Addiction uses up our spiritual desire—that drive that God put in us for total satisfaction, for home, for heaven, for divine union. (Sunday)
God fully forgives us, but the “karma” of our mistakes remains, and we must still go back and repair the bonds that we have broken. (Monday)
What we call addiction is what the New Testament called “possession.” The only cure for possession is re-possession by the One who alone meets our deepest desires!
(Tuesday)
You must step back from your compulsive identification and unquestioned attachment to yourself to be truly conscious.
(Wednesday)
People's willingness to find God in their own struggle with life—and let it change them—is their deepest and truest obedience to God's eternal will.
(Thursday)
We stop depending on something outside of us to fill our needs inside. We reverse the flow and draw what we need from the inside, from our absolute union between God and the soul.
(Friday)
Rest: Breathing Out
A person will suffocate if she just keeps breathing in! To breathe means to both breathe in and breathe out—to receive and to give. I’m afraid we are much more adept at receiving than giving. It takes some practice to come to know that infinite, abundant grace abides within, so there’s no need to be stingy with our forgiveness, generosity, and compassion. Perhaps practicing lengthening the outbound breath might teach us to let go even further. Slowing the exhale also lowers stress and relaxes the mind and body.
You’re already breathing as you read this, without thinking about it! Now turn your attention to observe your breath. Just notice the natural rhythm of breath for a few minutes, feeling the rise and fall of your abdomen and shoulders.
Count through your next natural inhalation. Pause, holding the fullness in your belly for just a moment. Then exhale slowly, counting twice as long as for your inhalation. (For example, inhale for four counts, pause for two counts, and exhale for eight counts.) Continue breathing in this slowed, gradual way as long as you wish. Then rest again in the uncontrived beauty of your instinctual breathing.
Gateway to Silence:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
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