Spirituality and Personality Change
What can addictive substances prevent?
A person from growing spiritually
Do you notice all the positive changes of your personality when you are just getting sober and why?
No because sometimes they occur slowly, and it is difficult to see the changes in yourself.
If asking for God's help is prayer, meditation is for what?
Listening for the answer
T/F: When using drugs and alcohol, you learn how similar your thoughts and behaviors were those of other alcoholics and addicts.
False
It's when you stop using drugs or alcohol that you learn how similar your thoughts and behaviors were of other alcoholics and addicts.
Everyone wants more of it to feel special, yet the more you have of it the less special you feel.
Knowledge
What must you identify before actively working on personality change?
The personality characteristics you had in your addiction that you want to change.
According to the session, what 3 people do alcohol and other drugs become more important than during active addiction?
1) Friends
2)Family
3)Lovers
Mindful meditation is a way of focusing on the present moment and what?
What your mind is and body are feeling
T/F: With a longer time in recovery, you can expect to see many behavior and attitude changes
True
If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you haven’t got me. What am I?
Secret
In recovery, what shifts as a result of spiritual and/or personality growth?
Values
What 3 things can you do to surrender your will to?
1) A self-help group
2) A higher power
3) A treatment program
What are the 2 major types of meditation?
1) Concentration meditation
2) Mindful meditation
T/F: The more you try and control your addiction, the more it weakens.
False
"It fights back"
You can only have it once you have given it.
Respect
Alcohol and other drugs were stronger that your personality in many ways. What 2 things could have happened?
1) A healthy personality became unhealthy.
2) A personality that had not fully formed was not allowed to develop.
What does it mean to surrender control?
Admitting that you do not know what is best and understand that you cannot control everything or anyone.
According to the session, what should you try and do to feel comfortable during meditation?
Sit or kneel so that you do not fall asleep.
T/F: Recovery is the same for everyone
false
Each person has to find the path to recovery that is right for himself or herself
Imagine you are in a dark room. How do you get out?
Stop imagining it
What happens when people begin using drugs and other drugs early in life when their personalities are still developing?
They may have had very few days sober as an adult.
What 5 steps can you take to make positive changes in your personality?
1) Surrender control
2) Let go
3)Make a commitment
4) Learn acceptance
5) Restitution and doing service
In what tradition is it common to meditate on a particular word or short phrase?
Hindu
T/F: Commitment requires courage and a willingness to do what is necessary to help your progress in recovery.
True
What is always coming but never arrives?
Tomorrow