Deepen Your Capacity to Live Free from Addiction--and from Self and Selfishness <P> "Twelve Step recovery is much more than a way to escape the clutches of addictive behaviors. Twelve Step recovery is about freeing yourself from playing God, and since almost everyone is addicted to this game, Twelve Step recovery is something from which everyone can benefit." --from the Introduction <P> In this hope-filled approach to spiritual and personal growth, the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are uniquely interpreted to speak to everyone seeking a freer and more God-centered life. This special rendering makes them relevant to those suffering from specific addictions--alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, sex, shopping--as well as the general addictions we wrestle with daily, such as anger, greed, and selfishness. <BR>Rami Shapiro describes his personal experience working the Twelve Steps as adapted by Overeaters Anonymous and shares anecdotes from many people working the Steps in a variety of settings. Drawing on the insights and practices of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Islam, he offers supplementary practices from different religious traditions to help you move more deeply into the universal spirituality of the Twelve Step system. <P> "Full of wisdom, expanding and deepening Twelve Step insight with the author's wide knowledge of world spiritual traditions." <BR>--Thomas Bien, author, Mindful Recovery, Finding the Center Within and Mindful Therapy <P> "Immensely readable, charming, and profound…. Accessible and useful to everyone, not just addicts. Open this book armed with a notebook, pen and highlighter. You will return to Rami's wise words over and over again." <BR>--Terry Taylor, author, A Spirituality for Brokenness: Discovering Your Deepest Self in Difficult Times <P> "An important contribution to the literature on the Twelve Steps. Creatively adapts methods from different religious traditions to make the practice of the Twelve Steps even richer." <BR>--Martine Batchelor, author, Let Go: A Buddhist Guide to Breaking Free of Habits
Recovery — the sacred art
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“Full of wisdom, expanding and deepening Twelve Step insight with the author’s wide knowledge of world spiritual traditions.” —Thomas Bien, author, Mindful Recovery, Finding the Center Within and Mindful Therapy “Immensely readable, charming, and profound.… Accessible and useful to everyone, not just addicts. Open this book armed with a notebook, pen and highlighter. You will return to Rami’s wise words over and over again.” —Terry Taylor, author, A Spirituality for Brokenness: Discovering Your Deepest Self in Difficult Times “An important contribution to the literature on the Twelve Steps. Creatively adapts methods from different religious traditions to make the practice of the Twelve Steps even richer.” —Martine Batchelor, author, Let Go: A Buddhist Guide to Breaking Free of Habits
--This text refers to the
Kindle Edition
edition.
From the Inside Flap
Life is inherently unmanageable. Seek to control it and you are captive to exhaustion, depression, and addiction. Learn to navigate it by living with justice, compassion and humility, and you are free.
Spiritual leader and Twelve Step practitioner Rami Shapiro explores the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as a spiritual practice to take you to a different level of mind, a mind no longer seeking control of life--relationships, events, and actions. He examines the foundational themes of each step--surrender, acceptance, confession, forgiveness, restoration--as they relate to specific addictions as well as general addictions such as greed, anger, and selfishness. He offers easy-to-follow exercises drawn from Eastern and Western religious traditions to help you deepen your understanding of each step as you learn to embrace powerlessness through:
Searching the Ego
Confessing Our Wrongs
Asking for Freedom
Naming the Harmed
Making Amends
Carrying the Message
...and more
Spiritual leader and Twelve Step practitioner Rami Shapiro explores the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as a spiritual practice to take you to a different level of mind, a mind no longer seeking control of life--relationships, events, and actions. He examines the foundational themes of each step--surrender, acceptance, confession, forgiveness, restoration--as they relate to specific addictions as well as general addictions such as greed, anger, and selfishness. He offers easy-to-follow exercises drawn from Eastern and Western religious traditions to help you deepen your understanding of each step as you learn to embrace powerlessness through:
Searching the Ego
Confessing Our Wrongs
Asking for Freedom
Naming the Harmed
Making Amends
Carrying the Message
...and more
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Rabbi and Veteran Counselor Shows Us Universal Spiritual Wisdom in 12 Steps
August 22, 2009
Format:Paperback
Historians of American religion now credit the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935 as a major innovation in American religious movements. When Bill W and friends began spreading the 12 Steps through the grassroots, they really were inventing a theologically wide-open spiritual movement that invited high commitment and pointed toward dramatic change in people's lives, families and communities.
Now, early in a new century, we all can appreciate the prophetic wisdom of that innovation. Of course, there is long-running debate about whether the 12 Steps are "religious." There's no question, though, that they are spiritual in the broad sense of focusing our daily living on a series of larger commitments to a higher power and to enduring relationships.
In his book "Recovery-the Sacred Art," Rabbi Shapiro (who is a veteran himself of one particular 12-step group) expands on these themes. This isn't a book of religious history or sociology, although Shapiro teaches these things at the university level. Rather, this is a book written for general readers-you and me-as we seek to find some deeper meaning and a larger framework for our lives.
Within the 12 Steps, he writes, we can find a fresh spiritual focus around themes of crucial importance to all of us--like realizing that we cannot control this turbulent world around us and that we need to focus our lives in more timeless places.
I highly recommend this book for individuals, but also for small-group conversation.
Now, early in a new century, we all can appreciate the prophetic wisdom of that innovation. Of course, there is long-running debate about whether the 12 Steps are "religious." There's no question, though, that they are spiritual in the broad sense of focusing our daily living on a series of larger commitments to a higher power and to enduring relationships.
In his book "Recovery-the Sacred Art," Rabbi Shapiro (who is a veteran himself of one particular 12-step group) expands on these themes. This isn't a book of religious history or sociology, although Shapiro teaches these things at the university level. Rather, this is a book written for general readers-you and me-as we seek to find some deeper meaning and a larger framework for our lives.
Within the 12 Steps, he writes, we can find a fresh spiritual focus around themes of crucial importance to all of us--like realizing that we cannot control this turbulent world around us and that we need to focus our lives in more timeless places.
I highly recommend this book for individuals, but also for small-group conversation.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By John Maerz
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you're looking for a twelve step perspective that's not steeped in God and religion, this is it. This book really shows how to expose and almost eradicate the Shadow in us all. A MUST for anyone in recovery or who works in the recovery field.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is not a review, but a commentary.
When Sister M. Ignatia (of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine) developed the Twelve Step program in Akron, Ohio at St. Thomas Hospital in unison with the founders of AA, she used the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola as her paradigm. This way was unknown to the men who were seeking a method to be of help with those who struggle. The Irish, witty, somewhat neurotic nun was able to adapt the Exercises, in part based on her own somewhat clandestine work with aclocholics in what was then the Rubber Capitol.
This tome is an excellent bit of growth within that genre of searching for a method to be of compassion and a source of growth. Kudos to the author. Courage to all who embark. Interesting to note is the fact that many Jesuits continue to use the Spiritual Exercises in their retreat work, and the adapted-by-Ignatia form. The movement is alive and well, and a source of great hope to so many. And, may we never forget Sr. M. Ignatia Gavin, CSA, for the insight and gift she shared so many years ago.
THOMAS PATRICK HULL, CHICAGO, IL
When Sister M. Ignatia (of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine) developed the Twelve Step program in Akron, Ohio at St. Thomas Hospital in unison with the founders of AA, she used the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola as her paradigm. This way was unknown to the men who were seeking a method to be of help with those who struggle. The Irish, witty, somewhat neurotic nun was able to adapt the Exercises, in part based on her own somewhat clandestine work with aclocholics in what was then the Rubber Capitol.
This tome is an excellent bit of growth within that genre of searching for a method to be of compassion and a source of growth. Kudos to the author. Courage to all who embark. Interesting to note is the fact that many Jesuits continue to use the Spiritual Exercises in their retreat work, and the adapted-by-Ignatia form. The movement is alive and well, and a source of great hope to so many. And, may we never forget Sr. M. Ignatia Gavin, CSA, for the insight and gift she shared so many years ago.
THOMAS PATRICK HULL, CHICAGO, IL
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recovery - The Sacred Art - The Twelve Steps
Whether in recovery or not this book is so beautifully written with a simplicity that speaks to the soul. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Deb W
5.0 out of 5 stars
Addiction to the illusion of control!!
I have liked this man's writing in shorter articles I've read, and this book did not disappoint. As a member of a fellowship in which I have "worked the steps" multiple... Read more
Published 1 month ago by June Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent and thought provoking.
This book is excellent for everyone. It is not limited to people struggling with an addiction. It offers a wonderful way of re-framing and dealing with life. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Cheryl Quickle
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Just For Addicts
Rami Shapiro puts forth a compelling argument refuting the delusion we are all addicted to. The delusion that we are in control of life. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Logan Kinamore
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent guide
This is an excellent study and guide for using the twelve steps as a spiritual practice. The "addiction" one addresses is broadened to include any unhealthy way we seek... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Karen Lajoy Smith
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, but not one of the best
I've read most of the recovery books relative to the 12 steps and Buddhism, and this is a fairly good book. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Johnjayr
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great material for 12 step study
In depth development of how each step is essential to recovery from all addictions. The subject of "control" is discussed at length and provides the reader with ample... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Rita
5.0 out of 5 stars
Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice
This book is very well written. Its message is timeless and vital to those seeking guidance on their spiritual journey.
Published 5 months ago by debbe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Only one concern
I felt the book was very well thought out and presented. It held a wide and varied spiritual base of insight and many exercises for people of many spiritual backgrounds. Read more
Published 16 months ago by batia
5.0 out of 5 stars
TRULY EXCELLENT BOOK!
This book is excellent. My personal addictions are food and smoking and every word of this book is inspirational. It is excellent advice for EVERYONE. Read more
Published on February 5, 2011 by H. Mcgarvey
