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Refuge Recovery: A Buddhist Path to Recovering from Addiction
Bestselling author and renowned Buddhist teacher Noah Levine adapts the Buddha's Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path into a proven and systematic approach to recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—an indispensable alternative to the 12-step program.
While many desperately need the help of the 12-step recovery program, the traditional AA model's focus on an external higher power can alienate people who don't connect with its religious tenets. Refuge Recovery is a systematic method based on Buddhist principles, which integrates scientific, non-theistic, and psychological insight.
Viewing addiction as cravings in the mind and body, Levine shows how a path of meditative awareness can alleviate those desires and ease suffering. Refuge Recovery includes daily meditation practices, written investigations that explore the causes and conditions of our addictions, and advice and inspiration for finding or creating a community to help you heal and awaken.
Practical yet compassionate, Levine's successful Refuge Recovery system is designed for anyone interested in a non-theistic approach to recovery and requires no previous experience or knowledge of Buddhism or meditation.
While many desperately need the help of the 12-step recovery program, the traditional AA model's focus on an external higher power can alienate people who don't connect with its religious tenets. Refuge Recovery is a systematic method based on Buddhist principles, which integrates scientific, non-theistic, and psychological insight.
Viewing addiction as cravings in the mind and body, Levine shows how a path of meditative awareness can alleviate those desires and ease suffering. Refuge Recovery includes daily meditation practices, written investigations that explore the causes and conditions of our addictions, and advice and inspiration for finding or creating a community to help you heal and awaken.
Practical yet compassionate, Levine's successful Refuge Recovery system is designed for anyone interested in a non-theistic approach to recovery and requires no previous experience or knowledge of Buddhism or meditation.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2014
356 people are currently reading
1218 people want to read
About the author
Noah Levine
11 books243 followersAmerican Buddhist teacher, author and counselor known for his philosophical alignment with Buddhism and punk ideology. Identifies his Buddhist beliefs and practices with both Theravadan and Mahayanan traditions. Holds a masters degree in counseling psychology from CIIS. He has helped found several groups and projects including the Mind Body Awareness Project], a non-profit organization that serves incarcerated youths.
Son of American Buddhist author Stephen Levine. Trained by Jack Kornfield of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA. He also lists as teachers His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Ram Dass, Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Norman Fischer, and Sylvia Boorstein.
He is the founder of the Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society, with two centers in Los Angeles and over twenty affiliated groups in North America and Europe. (www.againstthestream.org) Noah leads Dharma and vipassana meditation retreats and workshops across the United States and Europe. An important aspect of his work is with inmates in juvenile and adult prisons where he combines meditation techniques with psychotherapy—“exploring how they can have a deeper understanding of what has happened and what they need to do in order to be free, on many levels—free from prison, free from the trauma of the past.” Noah Levine is a member of the Prison Dharma Network.
Levine’s work with inmates is fueled by his own past; as a youth he had several periods of incarceration. His first book, Dharma Punx, in large part details Levine’s teenage years filled with drugs, violence, and multiple suicide attempts - choices fueled by a rebellious nature and identification with punk rock and culture. His substance abuse started early in life - at age 6 he began smoking marijuana - and finally ended in a padded detoxification cell in juvenile prison 11 years later. It was in this cell where he hit “an emotional rock bottom” and began his vipassana practice “out of a place of extreme drug addiction and violence” While incarcerated, he saw for the first time how the practice his father taught him gave him the tools to relieve the fear and uncertainty that pervaded his life.
One notable aspect of Buddhist Dharma is the path of our choices, the actions past and present and the intention for future action – (ref. Buddhist Law of Karma). Levine’s past – addiction, incarceration, violence, initial rejection of Buddhism and meditation – are all defining characteristics of his writings and teachings. “We all sort of have a different doorway to dharma or spiritual practice. Suffering is a doorway. For me it was the suffering of addiction, violence and crime which opened me at a young age, 17 years old. I was incarcerated, looking at the rest of my life in prison and thought, ‘Maybe I will try dad’s hippie meditation bullshit.’ Suffering opened me to the possibility of trying meditation.”
In Levine’s second book, Against the Stream, released in April 2007, "he presents what he has learned about and through Buddhism". Readers will find it written in a style consistent with the "disarming, frank tone" from his first book and, also, free from the typical "Buddhist-speak" found in comparable works; Levine "clearly returns to such central ideas as impermanence and suffering, giving his thinking simplicity and consistency". The author claims that this work is for '"true spiritual revolutionaries" who are looking for both "inner and outer spiritual rebellion"'.
Son of American Buddhist author Stephen Levine. Trained by Jack Kornfield of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA. He also lists as teachers His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Ram Dass, Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Norman Fischer, and Sylvia Boorstein.
He is the founder of the Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society, with two centers in Los Angeles and over twenty affiliated groups in North America and Europe. (www.againstthestream.org) Noah leads Dharma and vipassana meditation retreats and workshops across the United States and Europe. An important aspect of his work is with inmates in juvenile and adult prisons where he combines meditation techniques with psychotherapy—“exploring how they can have a deeper understanding of what has happened and what they need to do in order to be free, on many levels—free from prison, free from the trauma of the past.” Noah Levine is a member of the Prison Dharma Network.
Levine’s work with inmates is fueled by his own past; as a youth he had several periods of incarceration. His first book, Dharma Punx, in large part details Levine’s teenage years filled with drugs, violence, and multiple suicide attempts - choices fueled by a rebellious nature and identification with punk rock and culture. His substance abuse started early in life - at age 6 he began smoking marijuana - and finally ended in a padded detoxification cell in juvenile prison 11 years later. It was in this cell where he hit “an emotional rock bottom” and began his vipassana practice “out of a place of extreme drug addiction and violence” While incarcerated, he saw for the first time how the practice his father taught him gave him the tools to relieve the fear and uncertainty that pervaded his life.
One notable aspect of Buddhist Dharma is the path of our choices, the actions past and present and the intention for future action – (ref. Buddhist Law of Karma). Levine’s past – addiction, incarceration, violence, initial rejection of Buddhism and meditation – are all defining characteristics of his writings and teachings. “We all sort of have a different doorway to dharma or spiritual practice. Suffering is a doorway. For me it was the suffering of addiction, violence and crime which opened me at a young age, 17 years old. I was incarcerated, looking at the rest of my life in prison and thought, ‘Maybe I will try dad’s hippie meditation bullshit.’ Suffering opened me to the possibility of trying meditation.”
In Levine’s second book, Against the Stream, released in April 2007, "he presents what he has learned about and through Buddhism". Readers will find it written in a style consistent with the "disarming, frank tone" from his first book and, also, free from the typical "Buddhist-speak" found in comparable works; Levine "clearly returns to such central ideas as impermanence and suffering, giving his thinking simplicity and consistency". The author claims that this work is for '"true spiritual revolutionaries" who are looking for both "inner and outer spiritual rebellion"'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
September 18, 2019
UPDATE: The review below is still accurate, but I wish to clarify that I've moved on from Refuge Recovery and in particular the person who owns the trademark for RR and has exerted power over it to take full control of the community that goes by that name.
I wish Noah Levine peace and happiness, but like many others (the vast majority of former RR participants that I know) I have diverted my energy in my own recovery and as a volunteer into Recovery Dharma, a new movement and book that is community-owned and truly peer-led.
If you are seeking a book about Buddhist recovery or a community with regular meetings, I encourage you to look into Recovery Dharma as well as Refuge Recovery.
RD website: http://recoverydharma.org
RD Free book: https://recoverydharma.org/book
_____
This book is fantastic as a guide to implementing core principles of Buddhism (4 noble truths, 8-fold path) in our struggles to overcome our addictions and the craving that drives them.
Refuge Recovery is easy to read, with down to earth language and a relatable approach that won't alienate modern people, non-conformist people or even anti-religious people.
Whether Buddhism is the counter-addiction philosophy that is right for YOU, I have no idea. For ME, it is a game changer, offering a structure of both ethics and personal development that doesn't require faith in a "higher power" to justify our behavior.
For someone like myself who was already studying Buddhist ideas (Wikipedia is invaluable in getting the basics down), this book is a priceless reference for real-world implementation. I read it very slowly and did lots of highlighting and the result was very meaningful.
If there's a criticism I have, it's that this book does such a good job of re-interpreting the key teaching of Buddhism that it risks losing the thread and confusing people, e.g. it's built around the 4 noble truths, but it's statement of them is not really the same as the originals. THAT SAID: It's more of a caution than a criticism, as the re-implementation is masterful in many ways, and shows the long-term value of Buddhist thought.
To make the most of it, I do recommend doing all the inventories when it tells you to (pretty much right at the beginning) even though, later in the book, it implies you might spend a month meditating before doing your inventories. For me it was a struggle but a very worthwhile one, and the inventory process guides you through the logic of addiction and it's causes and effects in a way that makes the rest of the book much more valuable, since you will immediately see how your life fits into the descriptions of the noble truths and 8 fold path.
For meditation, I STRONGLY recommend you combine this book with the free Refuge Recovery podcast, as well as the "Against The Stream" podcast, both of which are created by the same author and have many of the meditations outlined in Refuge Recovery as audio "guided meditations". These give an experience a lot like the in-person meetings, and much more rewarding to a newbie like me than trying to implement the meditation scripts on my own. My process: Subscribe to the "Against the Stream" podcast in your app, then scroll through all the back-episodes and download all the ones marked "Meditation". This will get you at least several of the key ones from RR, especially the "mindfulness" (breathing) and "forgiveness" ones!
Note that there are also MANY livestreams of RR meetings available on Facebook, so if you don't have a local group to meet with you should go find them. The value of these groups is enormous, and should be obvious to anyone who has seen the value AA and other 12-step programs (and fundamentally, Refuge Recovery is a twelve step program, even if it's 4 truths and 8 fold path ;)
If you are considering this book than maybe you are in great pain right now and I wish you all the best. Know that change is possible and you can be the person you want to be!
I wish Noah Levine peace and happiness, but like many others (the vast majority of former RR participants that I know) I have diverted my energy in my own recovery and as a volunteer into Recovery Dharma, a new movement and book that is community-owned and truly peer-led.
If you are seeking a book about Buddhist recovery or a community with regular meetings, I encourage you to look into Recovery Dharma as well as Refuge Recovery.
RD website: http://recoverydharma.org
RD Free book: https://recoverydharma.org/book
_____
This book is fantastic as a guide to implementing core principles of Buddhism (4 noble truths, 8-fold path) in our struggles to overcome our addictions and the craving that drives them.
Refuge Recovery is easy to read, with down to earth language and a relatable approach that won't alienate modern people, non-conformist people or even anti-religious people.
Whether Buddhism is the counter-addiction philosophy that is right for YOU, I have no idea. For ME, it is a game changer, offering a structure of both ethics and personal development that doesn't require faith in a "higher power" to justify our behavior.
For someone like myself who was already studying Buddhist ideas (Wikipedia is invaluable in getting the basics down), this book is a priceless reference for real-world implementation. I read it very slowly and did lots of highlighting and the result was very meaningful.
If there's a criticism I have, it's that this book does such a good job of re-interpreting the key teaching of Buddhism that it risks losing the thread and confusing people, e.g. it's built around the 4 noble truths, but it's statement of them is not really the same as the originals. THAT SAID: It's more of a caution than a criticism, as the re-implementation is masterful in many ways, and shows the long-term value of Buddhist thought.
To make the most of it, I do recommend doing all the inventories when it tells you to (pretty much right at the beginning) even though, later in the book, it implies you might spend a month meditating before doing your inventories. For me it was a struggle but a very worthwhile one, and the inventory process guides you through the logic of addiction and it's causes and effects in a way that makes the rest of the book much more valuable, since you will immediately see how your life fits into the descriptions of the noble truths and 8 fold path.
For meditation, I STRONGLY recommend you combine this book with the free Refuge Recovery podcast, as well as the "Against The Stream" podcast, both of which are created by the same author and have many of the meditations outlined in Refuge Recovery as audio "guided meditations". These give an experience a lot like the in-person meetings, and much more rewarding to a newbie like me than trying to implement the meditation scripts on my own. My process: Subscribe to the "Against the Stream" podcast in your app, then scroll through all the back-episodes and download all the ones marked "Meditation". This will get you at least several of the key ones from RR, especially the "mindfulness" (breathing) and "forgiveness" ones!
Note that there are also MANY livestreams of RR meetings available on Facebook, so if you don't have a local group to meet with you should go find them. The value of these groups is enormous, and should be obvious to anyone who has seen the value AA and other 12-step programs (and fundamentally, Refuge Recovery is a twelve step program, even if it's 4 truths and 8 fold path ;)
If you are considering this book than maybe you are in great pain right now and I wish you all the best. Know that change is possible and you can be the person you want to be!
September 3, 2018
Great Book.
Questionable Human.
#nomeansnoah!
Questionable Human.
#nomeansnoah!
July 12, 2018
Life changing! I'm using this book to supplement my recovery, along with a 12-step group. Many don't recommend this, and find the two programs incompatible. I, on the other hand, was able to see the similarities, and actually called upon the Three Jewels as my Higher Power. 12-step literature is great because it deals with specific behaviors, and Refuge Recovery deals with the source of suffering in a philosophical way that's easy to understand. RR is best when you attend a group in your neighborhood. If there are none closeby, there are online options, as well as the ability to start your own.
As for the book itself, it made perfect sense to me that the four noble truths can be extrapolated to addiction. Addiction is the greatest manifestation of spiritual emptiness and disillusionment with suffering. In understanding that there is suffering, that suffering arises from desire, that there is a way out of suffering, and that there is the eightfold path to escape suffering, one understands addiction more clearly. I use the tools of meditation, mindfulness, and awareness in my daily life, and it has vastly improved my quality of life. Thank you, Noah Levine, for having written such a great guide to overcoming addiction! Looking forward to your next one!
Little tip: if you like to take down notes while you read, it's best to read this book on Kindle or paperback, since there's a lot to keep track of. I used the audiobook and found myself going into Evernote constantly to write down what I'd taken. If you're not a note-taker, I'd recommend taking notes.
As for the book itself, it made perfect sense to me that the four noble truths can be extrapolated to addiction. Addiction is the greatest manifestation of spiritual emptiness and disillusionment with suffering. In understanding that there is suffering, that suffering arises from desire, that there is a way out of suffering, and that there is the eightfold path to escape suffering, one understands addiction more clearly. I use the tools of meditation, mindfulness, and awareness in my daily life, and it has vastly improved my quality of life. Thank you, Noah Levine, for having written such a great guide to overcoming addiction! Looking forward to your next one!
Little tip: if you like to take down notes while you read, it's best to read this book on Kindle or paperback, since there's a lot to keep track of. I used the audiobook and found myself going into Evernote constantly to write down what I'd taken. If you're not a note-taker, I'd recommend taking notes.
July 5, 2014
A great book if you are looking for an alternate, or supplemental, path (to AA etc) to recovery from addiction in any form. But an even better resource if you wish to start a group to support such a thing! Highly recommend!!
January 21, 2019
https://jezebel.com/a-murky-scandal-i...
Noah Levine is a sexual abuser and his actions cast doubt on the entire organization.
Noah Levine is a sexual abuser and his actions cast doubt on the entire organization.
June 23, 2023
I appreciated and enjoyed this Buddhist absorption of the 12 steps. It's always good to read dharma, but it's even better to read how its medicine can be readily applied to addiction. Anyone who has a problem with the God language in 12 step literature might get a lot out of this book.
April 3, 2022
Brilliant, simple, and a well grounded approach to recovery inspired by the teaching of The Buddha. Levine crafts a simple vision for a strong community of recovery, a solid non-sequential adventure/path for anyone to follow.
For the Addict reading this review: This is a refreshing modern approach to a spiritual path to rediscovering the real you. That real you is there and although you might not believe it we do. And we will walk, talk, and be there for you on your rediscovery adventure.
For the Addict reading this review: This is a refreshing modern approach to a spiritual path to rediscovering the real you. That real you is there and although you might not believe it we do. And we will walk, talk, and be there for you on your rediscovery adventure.
May 19, 2020
Read this book in a effort to see if the principals might be conducive to working with Veterans who are struggling with mental health challenges.
That being said, I found the book easy to read and flowed smoothly. The meditation section was definitely the best. Definitely something to look into if you work with individuals with mental health challenges, especially addictions.
That being said, I found the book easy to read and flowed smoothly. The meditation section was definitely the best. Definitely something to look into if you work with individuals with mental health challenges, especially addictions.
August 12, 2018
Blend of addiction work (along the lines of AA) with Buddhist practices.
January 5, 2024
This is another recovery book I have read multiple times. It gives you a lot of tools and ways to stay sober that aren’t AA related.
April 22, 2016
An excellent alternative to AA dogma, particularly for atheists, or those interested in eastern philosophy. The volume includes an introduction to the Refuge Recovery program, the stories of several individuals who have used these methods in their recovery, and guided meditations and the format of refuge recovery meetings. This is the basic text for a community that is across the U.S. and growing, and it recommends attendance at their meetings, which include meditation and other mindfulness practices. The program addresses the underlying causes and habits that lead to addiction and encourages participants to take charge of healing themselves.
May 21, 2016
A Buddhist approach to recovery from addiction, a very useful text, especially for anyone who has a problem with the Higher Power concept that is so central to 12 step programs. The basis of the approach is aligned with the 12 step approach filtered through the three treasures, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The role of a supportive group would be central to approaching this path to sobriety as it is in early 12 step work. Definitely worth a read and a valuable tool for anyone involved in Drug and Alcohol counseling.
February 13, 2015
Refuge Recovery can be used with the program of N/A and or without but it is better as complementary.
It talks about the Eight Fold Path and Four Noble Truths. It talks about craving is the cause of suffering. Our impermanence, non attached appreciation, and training the mind. Meditation is an important part of the program and it includes guided meditations for practice. The book shares stories of other recovering addicts/alcoholics and triumphs with the addition of this program. Fully recommend. A new generation literature for the recovering community.
It talks about the Eight Fold Path and Four Noble Truths. It talks about craving is the cause of suffering. Our impermanence, non attached appreciation, and training the mind. Meditation is an important part of the program and it includes guided meditations for practice. The book shares stories of other recovering addicts/alcoholics and triumphs with the addition of this program. Fully recommend. A new generation literature for the recovering community.
February 24, 2016
As others have noted, this book is a little simplistic and pedantic, but it very importantly puts responsibility and power for recovery squarely on the addict and not on some "higher power" or "god." Unlike AA, which says you cannot do this without "god's" intervention, Refuge Recovery empowers the individual. If you're open to a fairly secular version of Buddhism, it can be a valuable resource. If you prefer a purely secular approach, try SOS--Secular Organization for Sobriety.
September 1, 2014
Kind of simple, a bit pedantic. However, it's more accessible than other AA/Buddhist books I've read.
December 22, 2024
It was good to finally get around to finishing "Refuge Recovery: A Buddhist Path to Recovery" as someone who works adjacent to the drug and alcohol addiction field as a chaplain, I often get requests for alternatives to Alcoholic's Anonymous (AA). Most of these requests come from a place of general longing to get away from the cultural milieu of Christianity, which may or may not be a source of trauma and is very prevalent in AA groups. "Refuge Recovery" is a good direction to point them in, it is mindfulness informed and built around the Buddha's Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path. The author of this text is Noah Levine, the punk leader of the Theravada inspired Against the Stream (ATS) Sangha of Buddhists, known for his edgy approach to Buddhism. Despite his recent fall from grace I believe that much learning can be gleaned from this text, the stories included at the end are particularly helpful. Recently large numbers of the in person addiction care groups have split off into Recovery Dharma, which has detached itself from ATS and Noah Levine. I would recommend this text to anyone struggling with addiction, I would also suggest it to anyone in the industry looking for alternatives to AA.
April 30, 2020
When I ordered this book, I had a specific learning intention in mind, which was to understand this approach to addiction recovery that our son found and pursues.
You do not have to believe in Buddhism, or have experience with addiction, to find value in this very interesting book. Noah Levine's main premise is that addiction (of any kind) causes suffering, and that pursuit of Buddhism's Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path are the key to eliminating suffering and achieving peace.
After explaining the various actions and steps associated with this approach to recovery, the book included several vignettes of actual people who found success with the Refuge Recovery approach.
The book concludes with several useful tools, including guided meditations, which anyone could find useful in their practices of self-reflection and self-improvement.
The book definitely gave me a lot to think about, and helped add to my to continually accumulating understanding of addiction--what causes it, the effect it has on self and others, and how to recover from it.
You do not have to believe in Buddhism, or have experience with addiction, to find value in this very interesting book. Noah Levine's main premise is that addiction (of any kind) causes suffering, and that pursuit of Buddhism's Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path are the key to eliminating suffering and achieving peace.
After explaining the various actions and steps associated with this approach to recovery, the book included several vignettes of actual people who found success with the Refuge Recovery approach.
The book concludes with several useful tools, including guided meditations, which anyone could find useful in their practices of self-reflection and self-improvement.
The book definitely gave me a lot to think about, and helped add to my to continually accumulating understanding of addiction--what causes it, the effect it has on self and others, and how to recover from it.
January 1, 2023
This program has helped me immensely, but the voice of this author is so bro-ish it’s obnoxious. Dude seriously decided to call Siddartha Gautama “Sid.” Insert fucking eye roll.
I can’t fully buy into this whole philosophy, but I do appreciate that there is a recovery program that is Jesus-free and that you can use for target behaviors other than substance abuse. I’ll continue to attend meetings and I’m glad I read the book, but TBD if this is for me forever.
Edit: changed from 3 stars to 1 after reading about the credible allegations of sexual assault against Levine and his shitty, racist response to them. Definitely not going to the retreat I was considering. Definitely giving Recovery Dharma a try.
I can’t fully buy into this whole philosophy, but I do appreciate that there is a recovery program that is Jesus-free and that you can use for target behaviors other than substance abuse. I’ll continue to attend meetings and I’m glad I read the book, but TBD if this is for me forever.
Edit: changed from 3 stars to 1 after reading about the credible allegations of sexual assault against Levine and his shitty, racist response to them. Definitely not going to the retreat I was considering. Definitely giving Recovery Dharma a try.
June 19, 2023
This is an alternative to AA/NA 12-step practice for addiction recovery from a Buddhist perspective. Part 1 goes into detail about the four truths of recovery, what the steps are and what they mean. Party 2 goes into personal recovery stories related to Refuge Recovery, and Part 3 is the Appendixes where it goes into the actual practices and meeting set up.
I appreciate how the book is set up and easily followed instructions. It doesn't go into empirical findings of this approach vs other approaches - whether it is more or less successful; however, it does serve up anecdotal stories.
This is a relatively young method of addiction recovery (since 2008), but has a lot of overlap with the 12-step program of AA/NA.
I appreciate how the book is set up and easily followed instructions. It doesn't go into empirical findings of this approach vs other approaches - whether it is more or less successful; however, it does serve up anecdotal stories.
This is a relatively young method of addiction recovery (since 2008), but has a lot of overlap with the 12-step program of AA/NA.
August 15, 2024
It's just okay. Don't read it to learn about Buddhism as it is mostly about filtering a 12-Step program's approach through a Buddhist lens. Same steps though.
Fully half of the book is testimonials from people who got sober after being inspired by the author's other book, so it is more than a little self-congratulatory and in that sense not very Buddhist at all. It really gets funny when you notice by the end of the 3rd or 4th testimonial that they are all going to end with how inspiring and cool the author is.
There is also a lot of performative swearing meant to seem no-no sense and edgy, but comes off more as deciding to use s**t seven times and then going through the manuscript to find places to insert it.
Fully half of the book is testimonials from people who got sober after being inspired by the author's other book, so it is more than a little self-congratulatory and in that sense not very Buddhist at all. It really gets funny when you notice by the end of the 3rd or 4th testimonial that they are all going to end with how inspiring and cool the author is.
There is also a lot of performative swearing meant to seem no-no sense and edgy, but comes off more as deciding to use s**t seven times and then going through the manuscript to find places to insert it.
March 19, 2020
A very good recovery book & support group based from it. It takes some proven recovery group structure & incorporates Buddhist practices & principles, in particular the 4 Noble Truths & Eight Fold path, as the transformative & healing process to recover from addiction(s). I most appreciate the fact that these Support Groups use practical wisdom from 12 Step experiences to stay focused on Recovery, not revenge through cancel culture, online discontent, or political stances.
It a very good stand alone program as well as very good for blending in with ongoing 12 Step (or SMART, Women For Sobriety, etc) programs.
It a very good stand alone program as well as very good for blending in with ongoing 12 Step (or SMART, Women For Sobriety, etc) programs.
April 23, 2024
I have actively worked a 12-step program for 8.5 years and been ever so curious about Buddhism for 6 of those years. 2024 has been about diving more into learning how to practice Buddhism and engaging in a real meditation practice. With its outline of the refuge recovery program and the stories in the second part, this book shows me some parallels of 12-step work and has me feeling safe to explore refuge recovery a bit more. I recommend this to anyone struggling with addiction, anyone in AA struggling to connect with AA, and anyone who wants to learn more about embracing pain VS. running away!
May 9, 2025
I will start this by saying... Don't let someones poor choices ruin a good book and general practice. Sadly there are hypocrites and shady people ni matter what the organization. Doesn't mean that the knowledge itself is bad. People still be eating Poppa Johns cause it's good pizza, just saying... Don't judge the book by the dumb* that didn't practice what he was teaching.
This has been my favorite recovery path. A.A. never was a good fit for me, but I went to some refuge recovery meetings after this book, and they were amazing!
This has been my favorite recovery path. A.A. never was a good fit for me, but I went to some refuge recovery meetings after this book, and they were amazing!
May 15, 2017
Very insightful, rememberable and applicable evidence portion- first hand experienced stories-. There are other books that i related to better with the four noble truths, drama and karma. Skimmed through last portion of meditation advice, would have enjoyed a narrative conclusion in the replacement.
Good insights towards applying addiction with twelve step approach with a buddhist philosophy; so many cross-over towards identification and recovery.
Good insights towards applying addiction with twelve step approach with a buddhist philosophy; so many cross-over towards identification and recovery.
January 19, 2023
I am a big fan of refuge recovery as a non-Christian alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous. This book does an excellent job of providing both a primer to essential Buddhist principles as well as explaining its approach to recovery. Unfortunately there is some controversy surrounding it’s author but I also appreciate that he acknowledges in the process that he is more of an editor, communicating the insights of many. I’m glad this organization survived a scandal and I hope it continues to thrive.
July 21, 2019
the first part of this book about the actual Buddhist ideas behind addiction recovery was most helpful. the rest I could do without or find elsewhere (big book / actual meetings - which is recommended - this is a program of action not of sitting on our butts reading in isolation) but an interesting addition to recovery literature blah blah. Gotta learn how to breathe somewhere
August 1, 2021
Within the context of the Big Book, I found this book so much more powerful and refreshing. It is written well, very interesting, and beautifully structured, and poetic in many places. Though I read it for a class, I definitely would want to participate in a Refuge Recovery meeting. It felt like AA and mindfulness combined ( and that is a very short estimation but on point, I think.)
March 12, 2018
Substituting the offputting "higher power" with the idea of necessary community, as well as actually explaining what sort of meditations the addict might find useful makes this book and program superior to NA imho. Highly recommended.
November 7, 2023
i've been meaning to read this since working with one of our young adults last winter who really took to the spirituality principles, and i really liked it! hard to apply the ideas in context without direct experience with addiction but i am certainly inspired to meditate more now.
December 16, 2024
It reads like a Buddhism 101 book framed around addiction. For a non-Buddhist, I feel like this would be too Buddhist for them. For an experienced Buddhist, this would be too obvious to them without any additional nuance towards addiction
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews