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The 12-Step Buddhist: Enhance Recovery from Any Addiction (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: guru yoga, basic sanity, shift your body, Higher Power, Step One, Tibetan Buddhism (more...)
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  • This item: The 12-Step Buddhist: Enhance Recovery from Any Addiction by Darren Littlejohn

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

According to the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse, almost 10 percent of people aged 12 or older needed treatment for drug or alcohol problems in 2006. That astonishing number suggests a need for books such as this, written by recovering drug and alcohol addict Littlejohn, who is also a student of Buddhism. The author, who has also studied psychology and research methods, has most definitely been there. Using the Buddhist idea of attachment as a key insight into addiction, Littlejohn correlates the 12 steps of recovery programs with Buddhist ideas and practices, drawing from both Zen and Tibetan traditions. This approach can especially benefit those who may have trouble with more conventional understandings of a Judeo-Christian God as a Higher Power, since 12-step programs depend on acceptance of such a power. Some of Littlejohn's practical exercises-certain Tibetan visualizations, for example-can be abstruse, and an appended glossary could provide more help with Buddhism, issues that more rigorous editing could have addressed. But the author has guts and clarity; this book is a welcome beacon on the troubling ocean of addiction.
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Review

"If the 12-Step program leads to recovery, Buddhist practice and philosophy can provide the spiritual underpinnings needed to stabilize that recovery. [Darren Littlejohn's] interpretation of the 12 Steps as seen through the lens of this wisdom tradition is fascinating and useful. A very practical and inspired guide." -- Susan Piver, author of How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Atria Books/Beyond Words; First Printing edition (March 10, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1582702233
  • ISBN-13: 978-1582702230
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,562 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #12 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Recovery > Twelve-Step Programs
    #32 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Recovery > Substance Abuse
    #36 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Spiritual

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More About the Author

Darren Littlejohn
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
guru yoga, basic sanity, shift your body, notice your body, bodhisattva path, sutra teachings, total enlightenment
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Higher Power, Step One, Tibetan Buddhism, Aspects of Self, Step Three, Step Six, Basic Courage, Buddhist Integration of Step, Tibetan Buddhist, Step Seven, Step Five, Step Two, Creator God, Step Eleven, Step Ten, Step Nine, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Venerable Robina, Step Four, United States, Step Eight, Santa Cruz, Dalai Lama, Four Noble Truths, Lama Yeshe
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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Customer Reviews

23 Reviews
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4.3 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars 12 Steps without God?, March 9, 2009
Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 step programs are emphatic that they are not aligned with any sect, denomination, or religion. AA is a spiritual program, not a religious program. The 12 step literature is quite clear that we are to use our own concept of a Higher Power, or "God as we understand Him."

Herein lies a problem: the very use of terms such as "God" and "Him" implies a patriarchal, creator God, the archetype of which is the God of Abraham, the God of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. But what of those members in a 12 step program who are atheists, agnostics, or of other beliefs in which there is no "Our Father" or a Creator? Even though the fellowship is fanatically tolerant of religious diversity, most members are white, middle class, middle aged men, who discuss spiritual matters in the terms most familiar to them.

AA has some work-arounds, in which people who do not believe in a deity can use GOD as an acronym, such as Good Orderly Direction, as their Higher Power. However, it is a bit a stretch to pray for improved conscious contact with a Good Orderly Direction. (For those who can do it, our hats are off to them.)

One of the non-theistic spiritual practices of people in recovery is Buddhism. Buddha was not a god, just a man who discovered how to relieve suffering. When asked if he were a god, Buddha replied "No." When asked what he was, then, Buddha said "I am awake." "Buddha" means the one who woke up.

The 12 Step Buddhist is a guide for integrating and using Buddhist practice in a 12 step program. This book does not explain the steps -- the reader is referred to the Big Book and other approved literature for that. This book is for Buddhists, or others who are non-theistic, who are also addicts in recovery, and want to work a serious spiritual program.

Littlejohn pulls no punches. He is blunt, practical, and hard-core. For those in a program: he is one of us. The author notes that most Buddhist teachers do not know how to handle addicts or alcoholics (for those who make the distinction). Littlejohn has been there, and knows what it's like to bottom out, and also to go back out and return.

The reader may not agree with the approach in The 12 Step Buddhist. No problem. As both AA and the Buddha say, if you think something else will work better for you, please go try it. If it doesn't work, you are welcome back. Take what you need and leave the rest behind.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Tool for Applying Buddhist Teachings to Addiction Recovery Through 12-Step Programs, March 18, 2009
This book is a guide for addicts of any type on how to incorporate Buddhist philosophy and practices into a traditional 12-Step program. The author is himself a recovering addict who has practiced both Zen and Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, and has a BA in psychology. Although he believes in the value of 12-step programs, he found that in recovering from his own addictions he needed more of a certain type of inner work, and Buddhism provided that. This book is based on how he integrated his Buddhist practice with a traditional 12-step program.

Although I am not an addict, I was drawn to this book because I believe Buddhist teachings have value for almost anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs (or lack thereof.) In that sense, I found this book personally relevant, even though I am not fighting a traditional addiction.

However, this book is designed primarily for addicts, and for anyone who knows or works with them. The author begins with his personal story, which lays the groundwork for him to explain later on why he feels certain practices have particular value. He then provides a basic overview of Buddhism, and of his primary paths, Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. Then, he covers the reality of addiction in the U.S., including statistics on how many people suffer from addiction, and on research into addiction as a 'brain disease.'

The main part of the book then walks through the traditional 12 Steps - one chapter each - and provides concrete practices drawn from Buddhism that can help an individual to work with that step in a new way. For example, he outlines a Meditation on Acceptance as part of Step 1, admitting 'powerlessness' over the addiction. He explores the Buddhist concept of karma as part of Step 2, which is traditionally stated as "We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." He discusses the Buddhist idea of taking refuge in the context of Step 3 - "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of our Higher Power as we understood our Higher Power."

Throughout each section, he helps readers to integrate the traditional 12-Step literature's use of the term 'higher power' with Buddhism's non-theistic approach, and addresses the question head-on in a sub-section entitled "Are You Sure There Isn't a God in Buddhism?" As the steps progress, and become explicitly more self-examining and spiritual in nature, the Buddhist lessons evolve also, within the Mahayana context of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, and thus drawing heavily on Bodhisattva-based teachings on compassion and our connection to others.

The author is clear that this book is meant to be used in conjunction with 'working' a traditional 12-Step program. If you know an addict, or are a therapist or other type of practitioner working with them, this book will provide you with new insights into how to approach addiction recovery. And even if you're not, you may gain new insight into how to apply the Buddhist teachings you have studied over the years to your own life.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, March 30, 2009
I believe that an addiction is in part, about loosing your way spiritually. I am also a huge believer in the 12 step programs and in the voice of the buddha.

I was therefore thrilled to discover this book which, in essence, incorporates two of the most powerful tools against addiction - the 12 steps and the Buddha way of life.

What I liked, for the beginning of this book is that the author does not trash either forms of belief - rather he constructed his book on the fact that one belief ties in and compliments the other one beautifully.

This book is loaded with personal experiences - those of the author and how he has looked to both 12 step and the Buddha to help him find his way.

This book is definitely about belief in a more spiritual way of living and it is about understanding your limitations as a human being.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found it to be encouraging and supportive.
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 		 Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Recovery is Bigger Than 12 Steps
Before AA, conventional wisdom was that the vast majority of alcoholics and addicts wee hopelessly embedded in their active disease/ malady/process. Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!
There are 21 reviews of this wonderful book, not including mine.
18 glowing reviews and only 3 are negative. Do the math. Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Conversation Not A Lecture
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5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent helpful book!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great mesh of 12 steps and Buddhist Concepts
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5.0 out of 5 stars Grateful for this book
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1.0 out of 5 stars book review
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5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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