by KAMALA
Addiction occurs when we allow ourselves to be influenced by a need that requires
fulfillment from an
external source. At that moment we enter a state of mind that has the potential
of being a trap. As
long as the need is fulfilled, whether by parents, friends, teachers, church
leaders or any other
relationship, then we remain at status quo. This also requires that we continue
to perform in a manner
that is acceptable to these relationships. This situation is a 2 way street.
If we do not perform as
expected or demanded, then we lose the approval of the relationships in our life,
and no longer have
our needs met by them. The outcome is to attempt to re-establish status quo by
using an external
substance for fulfillment of the need. The addiction may take many forms. Alcohol,
drugs, and
cigarettes are a few obvious forms of addictions. They may include excessive
talking, compulsive eating, compulsive sexual activity, excessive working or
can have the opposite effect and be a compulsive denial of sex, eating or working.
From a spiritual point of view the answer may come in many forms. We are very
intricate in character.
The descent into "Hell" which occurs anytime God-Consciousness is denied,
causes a state of separation from God that constitutes original sin. This separation
may then follow many roads in a desire to become one with God again, which is
on a subconscious level our ultimate need. This desire leads to the creation
of false needs that we hope will fulfill that desire. Much of our search for
approval leads to dead ends and become a means for us to negate our worth and
self esteem.
To break addictive habits, there are many options. There are programs available
through many service
agencies. I will attempt to add another point of view that can be an adjunct
to these.
The first step to recovery from addiction is to accept that an addiction exists.
A definition of addiction
is: the constant involvement in repetitive behavior patterns without the apparent
ability to stop. Once
accepted that an addiction exists, the next step is to explore possible ways
of changing.
Understanding the human species is helpful for change to occur. The human being
is basically
addictive by nature. Addiction to life at the time of birth, addiction to aging
as we grow and addiction
to death as a means of transformation are some primal examples. Choices of addictions
can be as
diverse as the human is diverse in personality.
If we become involved in an addiction that may be detrimental to our health,
by exercising our free will,
we can decide to change our addiction to one that is healthy. As an example,
there are addictions to
golf, jogging, aerobics, meditation and other healthful practices. One of the
most common of all
human addictions is the addiction to attention, a part of what is currently called
co-dependency, which, when received, suggests we are loved. Love is un-conditional
and non-judgmental. Therefore, many times, especially with small children who
have yet to learn what is "good and bad", a strong attachment occurs
with a parent who is abusive. This happens because the abuse is "attention" and
suggests "love". How many times have we heard the statement; "A
parent who loves their child will discipline them"? When the line is not
clear between parental disciplinary action that is constructive and excessive
addictive abuse, then a problem exists. The child is being programmed to believe
that abusive treatment means being loved. The stage is now set subconsciously
to draw abuse in order to satisfy the addiction to attention.
Real unconditional love loves our ability to be whatever we are. Learning to
appreciate all experiences
allows movement from one to the next. Learning what the experience has to offer
and carrying that
knowledge into the next experience is how we grow. Denial of the value of all
experience because of
judgement, causes guilt and separation from God and creates a loss of personal
value as a base for all experiences. Resisting the acceptance that there is value
in all experiences can be a cause of disease.
This may lead to a fear of releasing addictions because of a fear of an inadequate
ability to cope with
responsibility for the self. By taking responsibility for ourselves and releasing
feelings of being responsible for others, the planet can be healed. Then we can
collectively accomplish our responsibility to the evolvement of the planet.
Methods that can be helpful:
1.Embracing a change of attitudes.
This begins with accepting the reality of addiction combined with letting go
of the judgments in order to stop feeling guilty and then building an image of
personal value. There are many organizations and
professional therapies that focus on this as a goal.
2.Change of Diet
Some addictions can be caused due to a nutritional deficiency. Either way, having
a nutritional analysis done and learning how to supplement the diet with vitamins
and minerals or herbs and adding foods to the diet that are high in the nutrients
needed, can ease physical trauma that may occur when attempting to become free
of destructive addictions.
3.Change of Social Activity
Addictive people generally associate with people with the same addiction and
go to places where the
addiction is supported. A gradual change in friends and places for hanging out
can help alter the life style.
4.Breath Work
Breath therapy involves working with the patterns or rhythms of the breath. Breath
is the vehicle for life
and every trauma that is experienced is recorded in the breath cycle. There are
many ways of retraining our breathing habits. Some of these are Yoga, Meditation,
and a form of re-patterning breath work called Alchemia Breathwork.
5.Colonics and Detox procedures
A very gentle, but thorough cleansing of the colon to release toxins held in
the colon. This with detoxing bodywraps, saunas and cleansing diets can free
the body of the addiction to chemical substances and food cravings that are emotionally
based.
6.Bodywork
Bodywork is becoming an effective process for stress relief. Massage, acupressure,
Reiki, alchemia bodywork and reflexology are a few of the special types of bodywork
that exist. So much of the trauma in life is stored in the memory banks of the
cells. Any bodywork that is experienced is valuable in relaxing the muscles and
therefore releasing the trauma.
7.Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is done primarily with the client in an alert trance state and by
means of an interative
process. There is an emphasis on emotional clearing, rather than just emotional
release. This means that the restructuring of past events and the cultivation
of positive resource states is of primary importance with strong emphasis on
the recognition, rescue, and nurturance of the inner child. This therapy can
be used for specific psychological or psychosomatic complaints. It can also be
used for psycho-spiritual development, leading toward inner wholeness. Processes
to bring conflicting subpersonalities into harmony are used with the purpose
of cultivating inner unity.
The ultimate goal of self-awareness enables us to observe our behavior from an
objective level and is
required if we are to achieve freedom from the addictions that control our lives.
This can lead to a peace of mind that allows for respect of individual differences
without the threat of ridicule or persecution for those differences. When we
have achieved the ability to live and let live without judgement then we can
have peace on this beautiful planet called "Earth".
To truly become free of addiction requires a consciousness aptly described in
the following excerpt from one of my favorite books, "E.T. 101".
"Co-creation is the awesome life-giving, light bearing act of equals, powerfully
operating out of an integrity that is aligned with the truth. Truth, by its nature,
is the light. Fear cannot, by its nature, be in the light without dying. It becomes
a simple matter of self interest. Fear has owned this planet, its people, and
their systems for a long time. It does not wish to give up the property it has
acquired because it is a parasitic life form that cannot live separated from
your life forces. The truth is, you are the truth. It is not external to you,
as you have been led to believe. For that reason, it is ludicrous to set out
on a spiritual journey in search of it. It is likewise ridiculous to punish those
who do not practice it when almost nobody on this planet does. And fighting over
it is so absurd as to not deserve our comment at all. All you need do is awaken
to the fact that you are the truth. As the light comes on, the parasite will
die, leaving you joyously able to reclaim command of your life."
Following that philosophy we can now be one with our own purpose and addictions
become unnecessary. Self worth eliminates the need for the external approval
that creates the environment for the addiction. We now need no ones approval
except our own.