I did not realize you were once an addict like myself. I'm not sure why, but it seems that it requires spending some time in the darkness in order to find the inner strength and light to work through it. The journey to accomplish that is difficult and requires hard work. But the benefits of doing that work are astounding to behold.
Bravo to you for having the courage to confront yourself, do the hard work and come out the other side. It is my honour my friend and spiritual brother!
Yes and through that addiction I learned how senseless fighting is. I fought alcohol a lot...most every day...and the record is perfect...I never won. Alcohol was the bigger foe.
It was only when I surrendered, ceased fighting it, embraced it for what it is...the power it wields...the lessons I learned, that I started to overcome it.
Over my two decades on this path, I realized that applies to all aspects of life. When I am fighting the problem "out there", I am in for a loss. Whatever the foe, it is too great for me.
"We ceased fighting anyone or anything..."
An excerpt from our literature.
...And we surrendered to a power higher than ourselves.
I cannot recall if it was the Buddha or a zen master who once said that for one to be enlightened one must first have suffered the afflictions of terrible physical disease. I would expand upon that by saying that the burden of addiction in its many forms will also put one through the refiners fire. I've done my fair share of groaning under the burden of affliction. The irony is that what I once hated, I've come to be grateful for. For it is the burning furnace of life that makes us what we are.
Amazing how our tormentor can become out best ally on the path of growth.