On our Thursday, June 1st meeting at the temple the video puck for the temples camera was taken from one of the tables. We know that if someone did take it, that it would have been by accident, but wanted to reach out as the temple needs this puck back asap for the basement camera. If you do have it, please send us an email and we can even arrange to pick it up if needed.

Thanks so much,

- RDYYC

Hello Sangha,

This month I wanted to start with a quote from the Recovery Dharma book: 

“For many of us, our addictions prevented us from being mindful. In fact, that was often the whole point: we used our substances and behaviors to avoid feeling, to avoid being aware, because being aware was painful. But by trying to avoid pain, we often created more suffering. We’re now making a different choice—to sit with the discomfort rather than pushing it away or trying to numb it. We can learn to sit with the discomfort in different ways, either up close and personal (saying “This fear is simply a bunch of body sensations”) or in a more distant, non-attached way (“There's the fear and I don't have to let it control me”). We’re choosing to respond to it with mindful investigation and compassion, and to trust that it will pass if we let it.”

(Recovery Dharma, 2019, First Edition. Pg. 44)

Observing my life in active addiction I know that I am using unhelpful coping mechanisms to numb my pain, whether it be physical or emotional. I saw it as a protective barrier from the judgements of the world, and other things that I just didn’t know how to handle. Engaging in addictive behaviors is a temporary fix, and the issue is that if I continue to coddle my problems in this way, it stops me from actively seeking out help and developing healthy skills to bring myself back into the present moment. It takes practice to breathe in uncomfortable situations and to find a way to keep myself safe from inner and outer harm when they feel so overbearing.

Something that has helped me for the past few years is to:

1. Close my eyes and take three deep breaths. 

2. Repeat a mantra that, for me, is quite helpful: “In this moment, I am safe.” 

3. After I say this two or three times, I begin to talk to myself and list the very basic ways in which I am safe:
   “I have a roof over my head, I have food in my belly, I have some money in the bank…etc.” Whatever helps in the moment. 

This method often helps me to bring myself back to the present moment.

What is a quote or method that can help to ground you or prevent you from reacting, and instead giving you a chance to mindfully respond to a craving, urge, or uncomfortable situation? 

Please comment on our instagram a mantra or mindfulness activity that helps to ground you rather than numb or comply to what your addiction wants you to do. 

Share you mantra here

Have a beautiful June. 

Namaste, 

Yoga 12 Step Recovery

They are offering 1.5hr yoga recovery classes on Tuesdays from 7:00pm - 8:30pm. Entry is by donation. Check out their website by clicking the below image.