Mindful Recovery: A Spiritual Path to Healing from Addiction

by Thomas Bien, Beverly Bien M.Ed.

"This wise book provides practical exercises that will help us to develop conscious awareness and inner understanding, and the ways and means to free us from unsatisfying habits, addictions, and unconscious behavior patterns. I recommend it highly." —Lama Surya Das, author of the bestselling Awakening the Buddha Within

"Anyone interested in finding a kind, spiritual guide to recovery that focuses on flexibility rather than the 'one true way' will benefit from this enjoyable and helpful book." —Maia Szalavitz, coauthor with Joseph Volpicelli, M.D., of Recovery The Complete Guide

In Mindful Recovery, you'll discover a fresh and effective method for healing from addiction that can help you handle important challenges, from managing anxiety and resisting cravings to dealing with emotional and physical imbalance.

Drawing on both ancient spiritual wisdom and the authors' extensive clinical psychological work with their patients over many years, Mindful Recovery shows you how to use the simple Buddhist practice of mindfulness to be aware of—and enjoy—life in the present moment without the need to enhance or avoid experience with addictive behaviors. Mindful Recovery guides you step by step through ten powerful "doorways" to mindful recovery, giving you specific strategies that can help you cultivate a sense of calm awareness and balance in your life.

Filled with personal stories of recovery, practical exercises, instructions for meditation, and more, Mindful Recovery accompanies you on a journey of exploration and healing that will help you find the strength and the tools to change, leading you to a fresh new experience of everyday living.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Spirituality

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2002

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are more than one way to recover and get your life back. I didn't know that when I first started and many things I allowed to get in my way. My eyes opened up when I read this book of the numerous choices I had. There is a lot of wisdom in this book but there is a softness that makes the change a little bit easier.

[Liz Shine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Technically this book is for people in recovery needing some support with a mindfulness practice. Honestly, though—it is for everyone. If you’re wanting to feel more peace, more content in the moment, this book may be of help to you. It was to me. Destructive habits are universal.

[Patricia Joynton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really a re-read. But, I like it because it covers addictions in general and does not focus on alcohol and drugs, but incorporates: eating behaviors, gambling, socializing, caring for loved ones, etc-- but particularly "staying in the moment."

[Lareynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for recovering addicts, family members of addicts, and anyone pursuing a professional career in counseling.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great compliment to my intensive OP program. Helped me get more out of my meditation.

[Kara Rowley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would have been a good book if it wasn't for how watered down the Buddhist and spiritual principle's were presented. I've read other books on spiritualism and Buddhism that have discussed the same Buddhist stories (the monk becoming enlightened when the Buddha held up a flower) that were explained in such exacting depth that I totally understood (and that's not an easy feat when trying to understand how enlightenment can spontaneously occur from looking at a flower); yet the same story explained in this book made me wonder how anyone would get the point if they hadn't read something else in more detail beforehand like I had.

It's almost like by catering to the masses, they catered to no one.

This is one of those books that I won't remember what I read a week from now, because it just wasn't significant at all to me.

[GB Noriega · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because it's not just about quitting. Anyone can quit, but staying quit is the hardest part. Filling the hours of a day without the anxiety and boredom has been the most challenging. I always wonder how people who do not engage in addictive behaviors or substances live day to day. This book puts into a mindful perspective daily challenges, whether its work, interpersonal relations, or ordinary moments. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in changing some aspect of their life.

[Maggie]

Started but haven't finished. Although their later work, Mindful Therapy was wonderful! Has some of the same concepts as Mindful Therapy...

[Cher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the three Mindfulness & Recovery books I've read, this one was the best. I liked it.