Zombeck's Collection

I'm keeping this collection somewhat separated from the main collection of resources and main blog for reason's that are not entirely apparent to me yet. These are the resources that I've found to be most helpful, entertaining, and insightful to me. They've inspired me, caused me to think, contemplate, and hope.

You may notice a theme as you peruse the pile. One of contemplation and spirituality. These have been topics that have not only been important to me, but instrumental to me in the years that I've remained sober. I do believe that spiritual wellness and emotional sobriety are of great importance to a person in long term sobriety. That's not to say - or that I believe - that someone can't stay sober without exploring either of these areas, but to what end? Not one that I'm interested in nor attracted to.

A while ago I was researching the word "sober" and came across the following 14th century definition of the word: "Reduce to a quiet condition." No mention of alcohol. No mention of drugs. No mention of spiritual or moral wellness. Implied perhaps.

To be reduced to a quiet condition was attractive to me. To be well, happy, and basically okay -- to attain and maintain a general imperturbability. Not always maybe, but mostly.

My hope is that these links will start you onto something, like they did for me; led me down rabbit holes chasing information and knowledge into myself in hopes of finding a way to navigate this world with some elegance. None of which has happened to a great degree, but my life has gotten better - easier - and more enjoyable. I listened to every podcast, read every word several times and that inevitably led me to other things to read and listen to until it started to weave itself together and congeal.

Good luck, God speed, and happy trails …..

The podcast is "10% happier" with Dan Harris.
Dan Harris interviews hundreds of people on this Podcast and oddly enough, I’d say 70 percent of them found their way to meditation as a result of a substance use disorder.
You can find it on iTunes if you use iPhone (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/10-happier-with-dan-harris/id1087147821) or Castbox if you're on a droid (https://castbox.fm/channel/10%25-Happier-with-Dan-Harris-id363314?country=us)

I've also attached some reading material that you might find interesting. I can't say agree with everything in these, but it is some interesting reading so approach it with an open mind.

Addiction, Meditation, and Contemplative Practice, by Elliot Dasher: A good perspective from a medical doctor who explored eastern medicine and philosophy later in life and came up with this theory.

7 Ways Meditation Can Actually Change The Brain
All of which are in areas that alcoholics and addicts suffer or are lacking in.

Facts About Alcoholism: The story of Jack Brennan and the theories of the Peabody/Chemical group here on the North Shore

A Landmark Study on the Origins of Alcoholism
I invite you to read both of the above pieces in their entirety and form your own conclusion, but it would appear that the Peabody Group aka, the chemical group was not entirely wrong and only missed the mark by about eighteen inches from brain to gland. Considering the science that was available at the time, that's not too bad. Roll into that the effects of meditation on the brain and in particular the amygdala, the almond-shaped region that sits deep within the brain and is heavily involved in processing emotions, you start to have a recipe for some degree of management. In short, the gene found in alcoholics and addicts referred to in the article claims to have an effect on the ability to deal with stress and anxiety (fear) and mediation helps strengthen the part of the brain that regulates that. In addition, meditation, according to an article in Forbes, “eight weeks of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was found to increase cortical thickness in the hippocampus, which governs learning and memory, and in certain areas of the brain that play roles in emotion regulation and self-referential processing.”

 9 Essays-Buddhism and the 12 Steps: A Zen Buddhist perspective of the 12 steps - just a different take.

Back to the Basic of Awakenings - Sandy B.
I’m not going to say much about this except that Sandy B. is probably one of my favorite speakers on this topic and this recording is probably a good place to start. As in start here and see where it leads. Click some other links, look up some of the stuff he talks about and let that take you to where ever it takes you and see where you end up. Incidentally, Earl H. is another favorite mine and I really only have two. While I suggest you follow the link here’s one to get you started.