MEDITATION AND RELAPSE

Let's talk a bit about relapse from addictions. The AA big book states that resentments often cause relapse. What causes resentments? Is it not expectations? When people, places, and situations are not what we expect we can easily fall into resentment and then into relapse. Here's a quote from the AA big book on this very topic.

And acceptance is the answer to ​all ​my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation – some face of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms.
AA book page 417-418

INSTRUCTION

Start the meditation session by reminding yourself of your intention: TO LET GO OF EXPECTATIONS BY GIVING THEM TO YOUR HIGHER POWER TO HANDLE.

Begin by sitting comfortably. Then take a couple of deep breaths, and NOTICE what is so for you right now: thoughts, feelings, sensations.

As thoughts, or feelings arise in you, just NOTICE them. In this practice we don't judge any thought, feeling, or sensation, or try to stop them. We just NOTICE them like we might NOTICE cars passing by on a roadway.

After NOTICING each thought, or feeling, LET IT GO by saying to yourself mentally "You alone I trust; Thank You." and then return your attention to your breath.

Repeat this process (NOTICE thoughts or feelings - say: "YOU ALONE I TRUST : THANK YOU - BREATHE.) for the remainder of the session.

FINAL THOUGHTS

• No expectations -> no resentments -> no relapse
  
• Silence is the best app and it is free
  
• Go easy on yourself - especially let go of any expectations about your meditation sessions
  
• Try to remember that nothing in God's world happens by mistake. What a shocking idea!

Remember God will guide if you but let Him.