“Keep sitting - keep smiling”

Mindfulness for Recovery

Mindful Relapse?

If you are practicing the foundations of recovery then it is unlikely that you will mindfully relapse.

In the event of you struggling with your recovery, then you should bring to mind and remember what the suffering of addiction was really like; do you really want to knowingly go back that hell of craving?

Take a deep breath or two, (or even better a formal meditation sitting), then refer to the guidance provided by the Five Precepts or by Rahula Rule No.1,  then act appropriately.

There are those who have begun  on the path to freedom  yet return, out of desire, to bondage. (344 Dhammapada)

However, if you do temporarily lose sight of your commitment (Sajja) to abstinence and your desire not to harm yourself and others, then it is possible that you may fall back into your addiction.

If you do relapse it is important not to beat yourself up, criticise or judge yourself.

The following plan is intended to bring about a swift and successful return to your path of recovery:

(1) If you are still using then refer to the Rahula Rule No.2

(2) When you have stopped using then refer to the Rahula Rule No.3

(3) Practice Loving-kindness (Metta) meditation for yourself.

(4) Practice Forgiveness (Khama) meditation for yourself.

(5) Join a sitting group - and/or - go to AA/NA/SMART meetings - and/or - any other skillful activity that provides you with support (see Rahula Rule No.1).

(6) Recite the Precepts every morning.

(7) Recommit to your new life in recovery (Sajja vow).

(8) Practice Loving-kindness (Metta) meditation for others.

(9) Practice Forgiveness (Khama) meditation for others.

(10) Relax into a comfortable recovery, free of remorse.

There is life after alcohol and other drugs,; and it’s a very good life.

Related resources:

Webpage : Sila Forgiveness Meditation

Webpage : The Rahula Rules

Audio Link : Forgiveness a guided meditation by Gil Fronsdal  (15:03)

Audio Link : Metta a guided meditation by Gil Fronsdal  (27:55)

Audio Link : Forgiveness for Depression a guided meditation by Ronna Kabatznick (21:34)

Webpage : The Blessings of Recovery

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Please note that this page and the linked pages below are a ‘work in progress’ so please check back here from time-to-time for updates.

[Mindful Recovery Home] [Foundations of Buddhist Recovery] [The Truth of Addiction] [Harm Reduction and Relapse Prevention] [Meditation and Mindful Recover] [Sila Forgiveness Meditation] [Healing the Past] [Loving Kindness - Metta] [Commitment and Ethics] [Notes on Sajja : As Practiced at Thamkrabok Monastery] [A Sajja Vow] [The  purpose of Buddhist moral precepts] [The Healing Power of the Precepts] [The Five Mindfulness Trainings] [A Discipline of Sobriety] [A Simple Guide to Life] [Being Human Mindfully] [The Precepts in Recovery] [The Rahula Rules] [Forgiveness Meditation Practice] [The Practice of Metta] [The Blessings of Recovery] [Taking the Five Precepts]