Five steps to serenity

Here are five steps to liberate yourself from addictive behavior. Wait a second, addiction? I don't take no drugs, you may say. Well, that's great if it is the case. But you know, anything can be like a drug (think of beliefs, habits, sensualities), so everyone can benefit from following these five steps. Please note I'm not saying that drugs are bad. They are just chemical compounds without malicious intent. All I'm saying is that their effects can cause dis-ease and that there's a way out. This is particularly important for spiritually inclined people, because every compound and substance entangles the mind and delays the process.

First step, you have to give up all thoughts of guilt. In most cases, a guilt complex is even worse than the actual vice, as it entangles your mind in a net of obsessive-compulsive behavior. This is distressful in such a way that you will want to indulge again the more you're bothered by the guilt. Understand that the past can't be changed and the future is uncertain, the past is in your memories and the future is in your hands. So all you have, all you ever had is right here and now. In the now, guilt is entirely irrelevant and should be abandoned. To free yourself from this shackle, apply absolute honesty and let go with the in-&-out breath. As absurd as it may sound, it works and you will experience immediate release.

Second step, be mindful and see things as they are: If you're a heterosexually addicted male, for instance, cut through the self-delusion by regarding any woman as your friend, as your daughter, as your sister and as your mother, for this is seeing femaleness for what it is. But regardless of one's sexual orientation, it's basically the same things that drive our libido, hormones in the body and longing for solace in the mind. If you're in the bondage of substances, regard them for what they are: medicine as medicine, toxins as toxins, altering the natural body process in such a way as altering the natural body process in such a way, causing dependence and unease within the mind as causing dependence and unease within the mind. Know that the object of attraction is not an abstract sin, but it can only give you temporary relief, exchanging inner peace for hell on earth if not used wisely. No one is patronizing you, no one is telling you anything. It's simply a matter of choice, whether you want to go through ups and downs or live life to the full. Plain reality as it is here and now can be your worst enemy or your best friend, and this is your choice also.

Third step, meditate on breath and death. Where will the object of attraction be, what will you become as a result of it, in 10 years, in 20 years, in 50 years or in 100 years? That may sound weird, but it works. When you're done sobering up, switch to paying attention to your breath, where the air touches the nostrils, for at least 15 minutes at a stretch, always bringing your attention back to the breath when distractions come up. Just do it.

Fourth step, watch your desire arise. But don't let your mind take over, accept it as it is. Do not judge right from wrong, do not engage in the internal dialogue, and do not act upon it. Same with predicament. You will experience thoughts and feelings of withdrawal, lassitude, restlessness, doubt and denial for a certain period of time. Watch them carefully, for they too shall pass. When you think you're over this period of time or get bored, it's great to extend the mindfulness exercise to daily tasks and incidents, passive and active, internal and external alike. Whatever you see, hear, touch, smell, think, feel, say and do; whether you go forth, go back, stand still, sit upright, lie down, sneeze, experience pleasant, unpleasant or neutral anticipation. Whatever you do, pay attention, be uninterruptedly aware of the one thing and nothing else. If you pass over the street, of course, you gotta be aware of cars coming. Sneezing is a fun example. When sneezing happens, people usually say 'bless you', but you don't have to wait for the blessing. You'll see, if you are uninterruptedly aware of the sneezing process building up within your body, you'll experience a moment of great bliss when it finally happens. This kind of relief is so effective that some people use snuff powder, but you don't have to. For this reason, snuff powder is even more addictive than cigarettes. Just pay attention. You can't control it, you can't hide it, but you can ride it. Pay attention next time you feel it building up within your body.

Fifth step, there are many visual and audible stimulants flooding your senses and messing with your subconscious day in, day out; you are well off if you forgo television ads and the other brainwashing, repetitive mind viruses out there. Or use repetition as a learning process... So lets recollect now, the five steps to overcome addictive behavior and attachment are: 1. Overcome guilt. 2. See everything as it is. 3. Meditate. 4. Watch your desires arise and pass. 5. Take care of your senses input.

If you follow this path, you will most certainly experience peace, perhaps even a glimpse of enlightenment. But I'll have to have a disclaimer, ask your doctor if enlightenment is right for you. Anyway, don't waste your time and money on lifestyle books or expensive seminars. Don't quail if there's something that you don't understand. Let all come in good time, pick whatever works. It's all good. You can experience real bliss here and now by making one single choice. Rejoice in the unclenching like a bird in the boundless sky. That's it.

"I can turn it off anytime I wanted!"

Another addict!