Naturally the Mind Is Attracted to Goodness
And there’s nothing unhealthy about it. But addiction happens when the mind becomes locked in on some particular facet of goodness and uses it to escape.
It’s not the object that is addictive. It is what the mind does with the object that makes it an addiction.
For one person, flowers are lovely, nothing more. For another, flowers are an escape from what he really needs to do. Then only does it become addiction.
Of Course, Some Things Provide a Better Escape than Others
That’s why some substances such as drugs, alcohol, etc., are considered highly addictive. But even these lose their power over the mind if it has no need to escape.
That’s why The Work and 12-step programs such as AA focus primarily on dealing with the source of addiction: stress.
12-step programs invite participants to systematically go back through the past and make things right, with the support of others who have done the same.
The Work invites each person to explore old stressful situations in the light of inquiry. This often allows the mind to see that what looked like a terrible snake was actually nothing but a harmless rope. With that new understanding, there is no longer a need to escape into addiction.
If You Notice Addiction, What Are You Trying to Escape?
You can do The Work on your stressful thoughts about the addiction itself. But, in my experience, the most powerful way to do The Work on addiction is to question the stressful thoughts that made you want to escape in the first place.
Keep It Focused on One Particular Situation
What made you want to escape this time?
I had a client who recently noticed she was strongly fantasizing again about a man she had an affair with 20 years ago. But when she looked at it, she realized that going to this addiction was simply how she reacted when faced with a big stress of hers today: being tested in the Helpline Course.
We worked it both ways. We questioned the thought, “I’m not over him.” And we also questioned all her stressful thoughts about being tested.
Addictions Are a Challenge
Maybe one of the most challenging things that humans face. But through increased awareness, addictions can recede in the mind until they are no threat to life.
And as long as they are there, they serve as very sensitive temple bells to call us back to self-inquiry.
Have a great week,
Todd
“’Don’t necessarily do The Work on drinking,’ I tell them. ‘Go back to the thought just prior to the thought that you need a drink, and do The Work on that, on that man or woman again, on that situation. The prior thought is what you’re trying to shut down with alcohol. Apply The Work to that. Your uninvestigated thinking is the problem, not alcohol.’” Byron Katie, Loving What Is.
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