Today, and in the next couple of monthly blogs I’ll be writing about the subject of addictions, and how to accept and overcome them!
I’m going to focus on the 7th chapter of the book The Deepest Acceptance [Radical Awakening in Ordinary Life] by a guy named Jeff Foster.
But first, what is addiction? The Metaphysical meaning of addiction is: “A diseased condition brought about by one who, thirsting for the true stimulation of Spirit, resorts to the excessive use of false stimulants, such as alcoholic beverages. The way to demonstrate over this condition is to turn wholeheartedly to Spirit and to realize and to affirm that the desire for false stimulants is dissolved and dissipated and that the pure spiritual life of Christ satisfies and uplifts.”
The dictionary defines addiction as: “A compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence: a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something; a dependence or habit.
Here’s a little story about habits – bad habits.
A Catholic priest, a Baptist pastor, a Unity minister, and an Anglican rector were attending an ecumenical conference. After the meetings were done and having finished eating their supper, they were relaxing in the hotel restaurant, talking.
The Unity Minister said, “You know, it’s great to get to know one another’s theology across sectarian boundaries like this. But I think it would be even better if we shared some of our human side. Don’t any of you have any bad habits or addictions? You know, confession is good for the soul, and we’d surely build mutual tolerance, knowing what faults we all share. How about it?”
The Catholic Priest said, “I’d have to say that that’s a fine idea. I’ve been carrying a burden for a long time, and I’d be glad to finally get it off my heart. You see, friends, I’m an alcoholic. I’ve got a flask of communion wine in every jacket and gown I have. I can’t tell you the number of baptisms, weddings, funerals, counseling sessions and masses that I’ve skipped because I was absolutely plastered!”
The Anglican Rector nodded gravely and said, “Well, that can’t be worse than me. I’m a terrible adulterer. I’m completely out of control! If a woman in my parish can fog a mirror, I’ll come on to her. I’ve got the back door keys to half the homes in my congregation, and my office couch folds out into a bed.”
The Baptist Pastor heaved a sigh, and said, “I’m afraid I’ve got that beat. I’m a terrible embezzler. I’m no good with money; and I’ve got a taste for high living that my salary can’t satisfy. Each church I’ve served at could have paid down their mortgage like you wouldn’t believe, if not for me and my spendthrift ways. What a hypocrite I’ve been, brow-beating my hard-working parishioners to pledge more each year, while I spent their gifts hand over fist!”
The Unity Minister steepled her fingers and bowed her head. She said nothing. Presently one of the others said, “Well? Don’t you have any skeletons to share?”
The Minister shrugged and looked up. “Well, I think you should know” she said, “I have a serious gossip addiction.”
Now, we human beings seem to be able to become addicted to pretty much anything. We become addicted to recreational drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, gambling or gaming as it’s called now, painkillers, sex, shopping, the Internet, computer and video games, sugar, TV, extreme and dangerous sports, binge eating, porn, chocolate, relationships, Facebook or Twitter.
We even get addicted to spirituality, with nonstop reading of spiritual books or following gurus, attending endless retreats or spending weeks at ashrams. How about addiction to work, gossip, status, prestige, duty or security, power, fame. They even have a term for connectivity or social media addiction. They call it FOMO – fear of missing out.
Stay tuned for next month’s blog about ADDICTIONS.
NAMASTE and SAWUBONA. Keep manifesting only good things 🙂
Tony
If interested in getting a free copy of my mini e-book – click here.