There is a saying in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous: “A grateful alcoholic never relapses.” This is true for all addictions. When we stay grateful, we find that we are in much less danger of giving up on our sobriety. We stay appreciative of all that we have been given that has helped us along our journey of recovery and personal growth. One way that can help us maintain an attitude of appreciation is the practice of gratitude meditation. Jack Kornfield, author and Buddhist teacher, explains, “The aim of spiritual life is to awaken a joyful freedom, a benevolent and compassionate heart in spite of everything. Gratitude is a gracious acknowledgment of all that sustains us, a bow to our blessings, great and small, an appreciation of the moments of good fortune that sustain our life every day. We have so much to be grateful for. Gratitude is confidence in life itself. It is not sentimental, not jealous, nor judgmental. Gratitude does not envy or compare. Gratitude receives in wonder the myriad offerings of the rain and the earth, the care that supports every single life.” As we have entered into a spiritual life in recovery, we want to maintain a sense of love and tolerance throughout our day-to-day lives. This feeling of loving kindness, or “metta,” can be cultivated through the practice of gratitude mediation each day so that we may carry a sense of deep appreciation and compassion with us throughout every interaction. Gratitude meditation is simple—we take a moment to quietly reflect on all things we are thankful for. This is not necessarily being thankful for the good things, but also the hardships that have helped us learn and grow. We can even be grateful for our experience in addiction, because we have been given the opportunity to help others recover as a result. According to the Positive Psychology Program, gratitude meditation can decrease depression, promote feelings of well-being and trust, and increase sleep quality. We find that practicing gratitude meditation aids us in our journey of spiritual growth and joy in sobriety.
Your story can be one of recovery from the pain of alcohol and drug addiction. You can begin the journey toward sobriety by making the decision to seek help today. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment center in beautiful Laguna Beach, utilizes cutting-edge treatment methods and techniques, including yoga and meditation, to help you develop all the tools necessary to achieve and maintain sobriety. For more information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
