Awakening to THAT

How Bhakti Can Enrich Neo-Pagan 12-Step Recovery The journey of recovery in a 12-Step program is one of surrender, transformation, and connection to a Higher Power. But for those who walk a Neo-Pagan path, the concept of surrender can seem foreign—many Pagan traditions emphasize working with deities rather than worshiping them in the way Bhakti Yoga does. However, the heart of Bhakti is love, devotion, and an intimate relationship with the divine, and these elements can be beautifully adapted to a Neo-Pagan understanding of spiritual connection. How, then, can Neo-Pagans embrace Bhakti principles in a way that aligns with their traditions, and how can this help in the process of 12-Step recovery? Bhakti and the 12 Steps: Where They Align Bhakti Yoga is the path of love and devotion—offering oneself fully to a chosen deity in trust and surrender. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna tells Arjuna: "To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understandin...

From Buddhism to Bhakti: A Personal Journey in 12-Step Recovery Spirituality, like recovery, is deeply personal. What works for one person may not resonate with another. For many, Buddhism's non-theistic, impersonal approach provides profound peace. Its focus on mindfulness, detachment, and impermanence offers clarity and guidance. But for me, something was missing. I wasn’t just seeking inner peace or mental clarity ; I was looking for a personal connection—a relationship with the Divine . That’s when I discovered Bhakti : the path of love, devotion, and surrender. As I explored various teachings, it became clear that my heart longed for a personal relationship with a higher power. This is where the path of devotion became essential for my spiritual growth and recovery. I found that devotion wasn’t just about following a set of rituals—it was about building a loving, personal connection with the Divine . The Struggle with Buddhism’s Impersonal Approach Buddhism’s teachings on ...

The Path of Surrender: A Buddhist Approach to Recovery When it comes to recovery, one idea keeps popping up: surrender. It’s a word that many of us struggle with, especially if we’ve spent years trying to control everything around us. Giving up control can feel strange, even scary. But here’s the thing: surrendering isn’t about weakness—it’s actually about trust and being open to something bigger than ourselves. In the Buddhist tradition, surrender has a unique meaning that can offer deep insights and helpful tools for those of us on the road to recovery. What Does Surrender Mean in Buddhism? At its heart, Buddhism is about waking up to the truth of life. It’s about understanding suffering, the self, and the world around us. One of the most important teachings is the idea of "non-attachment" (also called non-clinging). This doesn’t mean we should stop enjoying life or push away our desires. Instead, it’s about recognizing that life is constantly changing, and we can’t hold o...

Tarot and the Path to Recovery: How the Cards Can Guide You. If you’re on a journey of healing—whether it’s emotional, physical, or mental—chances are, you’ve explored many different paths. Therapy, meditation, exercise, diet changes, journaling, support groups... the list goes on. But have you ever thought about using Tarot as part of your recovery? I know, it sounds a bit unconventional. But hear me out. Tarot, often seen as a mystical or even “fortune-telling” tool, is actually a powerful guide for personal growth and healing. It can help you find clarity, tap into hidden strengths, and offer insight when you feel stuck. Think of it like a mirror reflecting not just your future, but your present and past, helping you make sense of where you’ve been and where you’re going. In this blog, I’ll share how Tarot can support your path to recovery. This isn’t about predicting the future; it’s about using the cards to help you navigate your emotional landscape, face your fears, and heal ...

Awakening to THAT: Discovering a Higher Power Beyond the Judeo-Christian Lens For many seekers, the idea of a Higher Power is both compelling and frustrating. We sense something greater, something beyond ourselves, yet the frameworks we've inherited—often rooted in Judeo-Christian traditions —can feel too rigid, too personal, or too small for what we intuitively know to be vast and boundless. What if we feel a pull toward something sacred but cannot name it? What if we are drawn to the mystery rather than the doctrine ? The good news is that awakening to a Higher Power does not require us to believe in a particular deity, subscribe to a particular religion, or accept a specific set of rules. Instead, we can move toward something more open, something that has been described across spiritual traditions in many ways, but which ultimately remains ineffable, beyond form, beyond words—THAT. Beyond "God"—The Limitations of the Named Divine For those who grew up with a p...