Buddhism and the 12 Steps

Meets each Sunday 1:00 to 2:15 p.m, live in the meditation hall and also on Zoom 94338354405 pw 268849

The Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock hosts a weekly Buddhist-centered 12-step discussion each Sunday afternoon. The format is as follows:

• 15 minute silent meditation

• 30 minute book discussion

• 30 minute open sharing

Our practice is partially guided by a book that the practice group chooses to read together. Mindfulness and the 12 Steps: Living Recovery in the Present Moment by Thérèse Jacobs-Stewart is our current book. Previous books include The Power of Now (Eckhart Tolle), Recovering Joy, One Breath at a Time: Buddhism And The Twelve Steps, (Kevin Griffin).

The 1st Sunday of each month, the group will pause our discussion of the current book and instead focus on a review of the 12 Steps from a Buddhist perspective, in particular Kevin Griffin's book, Buddhism and the Twelve Steps.

Handouts for the group can be accessed here.

This practice group is open to all. No participation in an outside 12-step group is required, nor is adherence to Buddhist teachings. Anyone who is suffering--with addiction or otherwise--might benefit from the discussions. We do honor confidentiality and ask that all attendees keep what they hear and who they see private.

“What makes Buddhism and the Twelve Steps so compatible? The Buddha said that the cause of suffering is desire, and the Twelve Steps try to heal people from desire gone mad: addiction. This connection is the gateway into integrating the two systems. Both ask you to look at the painful realities of life, to understand them, and to use this understanding as the foundation for developing peace, wisdom, faith, and compassion. Both systems culminate in an “awakening” or “enlightenment.” ~Kevin Griffin, One Breath at a Time: Buddhism And The Twelve Steps

For questions please contact Karen Wisdom or John Mize.