Enough!: A Buddhist Approach to Finding Release from Addictive Patterns

by Chonyi Taylor

All of us are caught up in addictions—big or small. Enough! presents a practical path that releases us from the grip of negative habits and addictions that block a full and meaningful life. We can learn how to undo our habits and addictions, but to do this we have to first find their triggers. With the right techniques, we can disarm them and learn more effective ways for dealing with the pain that so often underlies our problem-causing behaviors. Without the support of effective methods, we are likely to return to our addictions when pain and painful issues arise. Chönyi Taylor helps us break through that cycle, reconnect with ourselves and others, and feel more centered in our spiritual awareness. The meditations in this book are designed to develop familiarity with states of mind that can release us from addictive patterns.


Presenting the essence of Buddhism without the jargon and fusing it with Western psychology, Chönyi Taylor engagingly combines practical exercises that were developed through her workshops with meditations and stories and presents invaluable insights about how the mind works. Enough! is intended for anyone who is looking for a powerful and effective way out of addiction, regardless of religious or secular background, and is suitable for self-study or as part of a guided program.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Addiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2010

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this four years ago, and have just re-read it. I think some of the criticisms of it are valid. It does not dazzle, but it is fairly solid. On it's own it is not much, but it has helped me manage addictions, even if only giving me something else to do while reading it for a while. Reading it is a kind of signalling to myself that I really am committed in making change. I think it works best within a wider buddhist framework, so perhaps if you have heard C.Taylor actually speak on the topic, it could be more valuable.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone interested in mindfulness-based CBT for addictions.

[Jim Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very mixed feelings on this book.

I really didn't love it. I didn't like the writing, the flow. It just didn't click with me as a read. Took me forever to get through it because I just didn't have the desire to pick it up often, found in clunky at times.

On the other hand, I very much liked the various meditations throughout the book and plan on incorporating almost all of them into my own meditation practice. While I wouldn't say I am someone with any big "addictions," I do have plenty of areas of my life that I would like to see some positive changes, and I imagine these will be extremely helpful (I've played with them a bit so far and am happy with them).

So, mixed bag. Didn't like the read, but it's a useful book.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book a while back. It's interesting and focuses on mindfulness, meditation, and becoming more self aware. Those are things that likely benefit anyone and everyone no matter what place they're at in their life.

This book focuses on means and methods that can be applied for a variety of actual addictive behaviors ranging from the severe to the small and unobtrusive.

More importantly and attractively, the book does not make attempts to convert one to Buddhism, but only utilizes techniques more common to that or other eastern religions.

[Claudia Yahany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al principio del libro leí que la mente debía poder estar en paz incluso en la regadera. Claro que mi mente no está en paz en la regadera, al menos cotidianamente. Cerré el libro por meses.

Sin embargo, con herramientas como el perdón, la gratitud o el contentamiento, la mente puede estar en paz. No es un libro emocionante o completamente nuevo, pero si es un muy buen resumen o guía para encontrar paz aún con todos los malos hábitos o las reacciones impulsivas que normalmente permitimos.

Quisiera un entorno adecuado para practicar las meditaciones que están en el libro.

[Jolene · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very formulaic and trite. Nothing ground breaking. Doesn't go into detail at all. Skims the surface and it's all, "you must do this" and "you must do that" but doesn't really go into detail HOW to do it. Worth a skim I suppose.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after attending Venerable Chonyi's workshop on addiction. This book provides a dignified perspective on all addictions and gentle, respectful solutions. The meditations are simple and effective. The book is straight forward and easily understood for non buddhists.